5 Seniors the Pacers shouldn’t draft under any circumstances

Davon Reed

Of the five prospects examined in this post, Davon Reed is the guy I would be least mad about drafting. Still mad, mind you — He’s definitely not one of the 60 best guys in this class — but less mad than the other four would make me.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

• 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
• Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
• 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
• 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
• Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?

Reed has worked out with the Pacers twice now, so they must see something promising about his game. He’s got the physical tools and the skill to eventually turn into a promising 3-and-D wing in the NBA. His 7-foot-0 wingspan is absolutely absurd for a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, and he shot 39.7 percent from behind the arc last season at Miami. If that shooting translates to the pros, then Reed has a clear role, putting him way ahead of these other four guys.

Here’s the problem: those physical tools have yet to turn into effective production. Reed gives his all on defense, but he still struggles to stay in front of his man. He gets caught out of position way too often for a 22-year-old, and the simplest moves seem to throw him for a loop.

He’s very limited on offense, sticking mostly to spot-ups and backdoor cuts. That’s fine for an end of the bench kind of guy, as he won’t be expected to do much creation, but it’s disheartening nonetheless.