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Experts Say the Indiana Pacers Were Smart To Pick Georges Niang

By Ben Gibson

Jan 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Georges Niang (31) drives against Texas Longhorns forward Connor Lammert (left) during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Texas beat Iowa State 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Austin, TX, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Georges Niang (31) drives against Texas Longhorns forward Connor Lammert (left) during the second half at the Frank Erwin Special Events Center. Texas beat Iowa State 94-91. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Indiana Pacers made the right move taking Georges Niang with the No. 50 pick.

The Indiana Pacers didn’t have a first-round pick after exchanging the No. 20 pick with the Brooklyn Nets for Thaddeus Young, but the experts seem to think the Pacers made the right move with their second-round pick.

Indiana took Iowa State’s Georges Niang, a power forward that can score but will need to add muscle to his frame (as well as stay in shape) to have an NBA career.

AJ Neuharth-Keusch and Michael Singer of USA Today see plenty of potential in Niang.

"50. Indiana PacersPick: Georges Niang, forward, Iowa StateGrade: BAnalysis: Niang was a four-year starter with the Cyclones and he has plenty of potential if he can stay in shape. Nonetheless, he was one of the best all-around players in the country last season, averaging 20.5 points, 6.2 rebound and 3.3 assists. Solid pick for Indiana."

Aaron Torres of Fox Sports gave Indiana the same grade.

"Indiana PacersRound 1: N/ARound 2: Georges Niang, SF, Iowa State (50) Grade: BAll the Pacers’ big moves came pre-draft when they acquired Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, so it’s hard to really evaluate them here.In terms of their draft, well, Indiana wants to play faster under Nate McMillan, and the one thing Niang can do is get buckets.Playing defense, on the other hand, is another story altogether."

SB Nation’s Jesus Gomez put Indiana under his “good grades” portion of his draft review.

"The Pacers were more interested in adding established players than a rookie, so they traded the 20th pick to the Nets for Thaddeus Young. In the second round, they picked 23-year-old forward Georges Niang. But this week was all about getting better in the short-term for Indiana, which also traded for Jeff Teague.The bold moves were well received, with ESPN giving them a B and CBS Sports an A-."

Speaking of ESPN and that B grade here is what Chad Ford had to say:

"Indiana Pacers
: BRound 1: N/A
Round 2: Georges Niang (50)The Pacers punted on the No. 20 pick to get Thaddeus Young. Given where the Pacers are in refashioning their team, it made sense. Young will help a lot more than a rookie would have this season. Adding Young and Jeff Teague (also by trade) to the roster will allow them to play faster.Still, the Pacers’ moves make me wonder if Larry Bird is just building a solid fourth or fifth seed. Young and Teague probably won’t make them a contender. Of course, the No. 20 pick wasn’t doing that either.Niang is one of the most skilled forwards in the draft, but his lack of athleticism hurt his stock. Given all the athletes the Pacers are fielding, maybe they can afford to have one skill guy coming off the bench."

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

Sam Vecenie of CBS Sports was nice enough to give the Pacers an A- for all of their offseason moves.

"Brought In: Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young, Georges Niang (No. 50)Sent Out: George Hill, No. 20 (Caris LeVert)Yeah, this is just solid stuff from the Pacers here, who re-shaped their team nicely over the last two days. Young and Teague are great fits for this roster, and likely become immediate starters. They do give up George Hill and No. 20 to get there, but that’s fine, especially if they can sign Teague to an extension. The Pacers got tangibly better over the last two days in both the short and long term, and that’s all you can ask for.Grade: A-"

Long story short, the Pacers were wise to pick a player that can start now by trading their No. 20 pick, and though it is sad for some Pacers fans to see George Hill go, Teague may spark an offense that has been average at best the past few seasons.

Niang has a chance to make an impact in the future as well, but he does require some development. That is what you expect with the 50th pick, so that isn’t a negative as much as it is a reality.

Next: How the Pacers Can Lock Up Jeff Teague Beyond Next Year

On paper, the Indiana Pacers got better in the last 48 hours, and that’s all you can ask for in the offseason.

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