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Ranking the Last 10 Pacer Drafts

By Jared Wade

Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) speaks during a press conference next to the NBA Finals MVP trophy after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2) speaks during a press conference next to the NBA Finals MVP trophy after game five of the 2014 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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#1. 2010 NBA Draft

  • Selected Paul George (#10)
  • Selected Lance Stephenson (#40)
  • Acquired Magnum Rolle (#51) by trading Ryan Reid (#57)

Nine teams passed on Paul George. One of those teams got John Wall and another got DeMarcus Cousins.

So … seven teams are kicking themselves (and probably eight since Cousins is Cousins).

Drafting Paul George wasn´t just a good pick. It was franchise-changing (saving?) move that kick-started everything good that has come for the Pacers since.

The franchise was fully past the dark days of arrests and Brawl remnants when they acquired George. But the stank of mediocrity and straight-up boringness wafted through the arena.

Paul George, along with Hibbert and the 2011 summer acquisitions, changed all that.

It´s too early to say this — and no disrespect to Reggie — but there is reason to speculate that, by the time it´s all said and done, the Pacers might have drafted the best player in their NBA history in the 2010 draft.

With the 10th pick.

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