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Seven Big Men Options for the Pacers in the Draft

By Dylan Hughes

Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) and Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) watch a shot during the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men
Apr 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Willie Cauley-Stein (15) and Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) watch a shot during the second half of the 2015 NCAA Men /
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Kevon Looney, PF, UCLA

Mar 21, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) drives to the basket against the UAB Blazers during the first half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2015; Louisville, KY, USA; UCLA Bruins forward Kevon Looney (5) drives to the basket against the UAB Blazers during the first half in the third round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament at KFC Yum! Center. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Rhodes-USA TODAY Sports /

Kevon Looney seems to be getting overlooked. DraftExpress has him going 19th to the Washington Wizards, and while mock drafts mean little, Looney might be the perfect fit for what Larry Bird has said he wants the Indiana Pacers offense to become.

Looney has the three qualities Bird will be looking for with their pick: good defense to maintain their identity, outside shooting, and the ability to move up and down the floor quickly. Bird wants to move towards the pace-and-space style offense that is sweeping the league, and playing the 6’9″ Looney at power forward would make that system work perfectly.

His length and ability to front post players allows him to defend the rim pretty well, although bigger players will take advantage of his 220-pound body. He also can defend the perimeter and has quick enough hands to get sneaky steals here and there.

On offense, Looney’s spacing might be his only strength right now. He is very awkward anytime he is around the rim with the ball and has little skill in the post. Pacer fans wouldn’t see much David West-style offense (posting up, banging down low) from the power forward position.

Looney is a bit of a project, but a year under West might be the best thing for him. He needs to work on that offensive touch near the basket, as well as bulking up to make his life easier in the post on both ends of the floor.

Looney won’t be the best available big man at 11, meaning that Indiana probably won’t reach for him. But if they did, I think it would be a good pick. I see some Draymond Green in Kevon Looney, and when you see that, you have to consider the guy.

Next: Frank Kaminsky

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