Did the Pacers make a good pick with Myles Turner?
Jon Washburn: Absolutely. With the 11th pick, the Pacers got a top-five talent who also fit a specific need. The Pacers come away from the draft with a guy who could easily be described as the “best player available at the time, while also filling holes in the roster. I understand the love for Cameron Payne, but it’s unclear whether he will ever be better than George Hill — and he certainly wouldn’t have been an upgrade in year one.
It wasn’t a flashy pick — no “ohhs and ahhs” on this one — but given Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh’s track record with mid-first-round picks, I’m relatively hopeful.
Ryan Barth: Given their options at #11, I think they definitely could have done worse. It sounds like Frank Vogel and Larry Bird see Turner as a guy who is going to vastly improve with experience and can grow into something special. He probably won’t turn any heads this season, but should be a constantly evolving front-court piece for years to come.
Will Furr: I think so. Myles Turner has a lot of upside with a few skills that will allow him to contribute right away. It wasn’t a flashy pick — no “ohhs and ahhs” on this one — but given Larry Bird and Donnie Walsh’s track record with mid-first-round picks, I’m relatively hopeful. I do think Turner will have to grow more than some of our recent picks, and there will be growing pains.
Ben Gibson: When you are possibly heading into the season without last year’s starting center and power forward, yes. There may have been another player Indiana could have reached for here, but they have to get some size back with David West gone and, possibly, Roy Hibbert being traded.
Next: Will Indy Regret the Pick?
Which player taken after Myles Turner will Larry Bird regret passing on the most?
Washburn: I think Trey Lyles is the obvious pick. Turner has far more upside than Lyles, but Lyles is more NBA-ready right now and probably has a lower floor than Turner. By this time next year, people may wish Indiana had picked the hometown kid. The important evaluation won’t come until year 2 or 3 though.
Turner has far more upside than Lyles, but Lyles is more NBA-ready right now and probably has a lower floor than Turner. By this time next year, people may wish Indiana had picked the hometown kid.
Barth: Devin Booker since his ceiling appears to be Klay Thompson, according to some analysts. Maybe they are hot on Monta Ellis so they knew a shooter wasn’t needed here? In the end, I think Bird might regret not moving up to get Winslow in the 7-10 range after Cauley-Stein came off the board. That’s when the picks became a little strange and opportunity was knocking.
Furr: Cameron Payne. This is not an indictment of George Hill by any means. I think Payne is going to be a player on this level. To borrow a Bill Simmons phrase, I think every team needs an “Irrational Confidence Guy,” and I think Payne will step in and fill that void with his ability to fill it up.
Gibson: Trey Lyles because he seems to have more upside , but I also think that the Pacers were in a predicament not fully knowing about West or Hibbert going into draft night.
Next: Fitting the New Style?
Does Myles Turner fit with the Pacers plan to play faster and smaller next year?
Washburn: Absolutely. He already projects to be a better pick-and-roll defender than Roy Hibbert, and his shooting should add more pace and space into the Pacers’ offense. Teams don’t really have to play five smalls to play fast. Golden State seemed to play plenty fast all year with the lumbering Andrew Bogut patrolling the lane. Rim protection will always be vital, and despite the common narrative, centers will never go obsolete.
If Indiana was planning on running a extreme, short-and-fast line up like Golden State did in the Finals, then he’s not going to fit. But I don’t fully believe the Pacers are going to that extreme yet.
Barth: Not really, and this is what I can’t wrap my head around. Lyles was the ideal candidate for a quicker and somewhat smaller lineup, while Turner appeared to play with his back to the basket more often in college. Turner had only 5 field goal’s in transition last season at Texas, so you’d have to think that Vogel has a plan to mold him into some sort of gazelle-like creature to match their new style of play.
Furr: The answer to this question has to be at least partially yes; at this point, I’ve seen grandmothers move faster than Roy Hibbert. Turner isn’t exactly fast, but if he’s your 5 with PG/Damo/random stretch-4 at the PF position, then yes, they have gotten faster and more athletic.
Gibson: No, not exactly, but he isn’t immobile either. If Indiana was planning on running an extreme, short-and-fast line up like Golden State did in the Finals, then he’s not going to fit. But I don’t fully believe the Pacers are going to that extreme yet.
Next: Joseph Young?
Is Joseph Young a good pick at #43?
Washburn: Absolutely. Again, the Pacers got high talent that also filled a need. Many second rounders never make rosters, but if Young does make the squad, the Pacers will have filled the backup point guard role with a cheap contract, giving them even more cap room to sign a different free agent.
He may not pan out, but as far as second rounders go at least it wasn’t Erazem Lorbek.
Barth: I really thought Andrew Harrison would be the ideal pick for the Pacers since C.J. Watson is on his way out and Harrison appears to have the clutch gene in him, but Young gives the bench another scoring punch which is something the team really lacked after Lance was gone. It sounds like he could be a combo guard as well and Vogel loves him some versatility.
Furr: Love the pick. I think Young has the confidence and ability to score at the NBA level. He may not pan out, but as far as second rounders go at least it wasn’t Erazem Lorbek.
Gibson: Good enough. Not a lot of second rounders make a significant impact, but Young has the potential to grow into a rotation player and contributor. He was a scorer in college and the Pacers need all the help they can get on offense.
Next: Report Card
What letter grade would you give the Pacers for their draft?
Washburn: A-
These grades have to be relative. Obviously, Minnesota got a better player in Karl Towns than Indiana did, but in terms of what Indiana could have done, I would give the Pacers an A- grade. Turner, like Paul George five years ago, could very well be a future superstar, and he fits a more immediate need than even Paul George did. Most people around the league seem to love the Young pick as well; it’s hard to fault the Pacers for anything they did last night.
They were so close to hitting a home run with Justise Winslow falling in their lap, but you can’t fault them for taking a big with a lot of upside when Hibbert and West are headed elsewhere in the very near future.
Barth: B-
They were so close to hitting a home run with Justise Winslow falling in their lap, but you can’t fault them for taking a big with a lot of upside when Hibbert and West are headed elsewhere in the very near future. The only way the Pacers would have received an A was finding a taker for that $15 million albatross.
Furr: B+
The Pacers went in and got two guys who have skills that can translate to this level. It wasn’t super flashy or full of excitement, but getting two possible rotation pieces is a solid draft
Gibson: B
Nothing too flashy, but needs were addressed. I don’t think the picks they made are going to make us scratch our heads a few from now, and they didn’t infuriate fans on draft night.
Next: Who Is Myles Turner? Get to Know the Newest Pacer
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