Continuing the team draft preview series, Josh Padmore (@JPadmore92) joins me to go in-depth on what the Indiana Pacers’ draft night might look like. While the Pacers only hold the 54th pick, there are ways for them to move up or add another pick in this deep 2020 NBA Draft class.
Picks Held: 54
Timeline:
- Current mid-table playoff team
- Future depends on 2021 offseason when Victor Oladipo is a free agent
- Could look to re-tool within the next year depending on Oladipo’s looming decision
- Unlikely to tank barring injury
Team Needs: athletic creator, wings
Current players under contract for next season:
Guards: Malcolm Brogdon, Aaron Holiday, TJ McConnell, Edmond Sumner, Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb
Wings: TJ Warren, Doug McDermott
Bigs: Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, TJ Leaf, Goga Bitadze
Options: None
Upcoming FA: Alize Johnson (Restricted), Justin Holiday, JaKarr Sampson
Past 5 drafts:
2015: Myles Turner, Joe Young
2016: Georges Niang
2017: TJ Leaf, Ike Anigbogu, Edmond Sumner
2018: Aaron Holiday, Alize Johnson
2019: Goga Bitadze
#54 big board:
Josh:
- Karim Mane
- CJ Elleby
- Nate Hinton
- Cassius Winston
- Lamar Stevens
- Jay Scrubb
- Jordan Nwora
- Yoeli Childs
- Malik Fitts
- Yam Madar
MavsDraft:
- Jalen Harris
- Ty-Shon Alexander
- Jordan Nwora
- Josh Hall
- Naji Marshall
- Mamadi Diakite
- Isiaha Mike
- Emmitt Williams
- Jay Scrubb
- Reggie Perry
Other options (via Josh Padmore):
- Recent rumors suggest the Pacers could acquire Gordon Hayward and the 14th pick in exchange for Myles Turner. This would give the Pacers their first lottery pick since selecting Turner in 2015. Taking Aaron Nesmith with that 14th pick would be the direction I would go, but they could also consider Kira Lewis or Tyrell Terry.
- The Pacers could also do what they did last year and sell their 2nd round draft pick. Doing that last year helped them land Malcolm Brogdon in free agency. It could also just help them out given the recent news regarding the NBA’s salary cap.
Shot chart
