The 2018 NBA draft won’t take place until June 21st which is still quite a while away, but it never hurts to look forward at some of college basketball’s finest young prospects.
It’s crazy to say, especially with the low expectations that the Indiana Pacers had coming into the season, but the team is going to be picking a lot lower than we all thought in the 2018 NBA Draft.
As of right now we can almost assume that the Pacers will pick somewhere between 13 and 20 in June’s NBA draft, as they currently hold the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference a little more than halfway through the NBA season.
While there is still plenty of basketball to play, now is a great time to take a look at a few names that you may want to remember this off-season.
Guards/Wings
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – PG – Kentucky
Out of all the Kentucky freshman who have played for John Calipari and declared to go pro over the last several years and be a high draft pick, Gilgeous-Alexander will likely end up being the most unheralded. While Gilgeous-Alexander was a top 50 recruit, no one in Lexington saw the potential that the 19 year old, 6’6 point guard has shown so far this season.
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Currently averaging a shade over 11.5 points, and 4.3 assists per game in just 29 minutes of play (mostly off the bench), the freshman has been extremely effective and shown his ability to be a play-maker at the next level.
While Gilgeous-Alexander doesn’t do any one thing great, he does a lot of stuff really good on both sides of the ball and could one day develop in a starting guard in the NBA. Though he’s known for being more of a slashing guard and strong defender, he has shown that he can shoot the ball when given the opportunity, shooting 50% from the field, and 45% in the limited number of threes he’s taken this season.
Shai’s size and skill would allow him to play in lineups either with Oladipo, Collison, and CoJo or next to any of the three Pacers guards, and because of his length he has the potential be a lock down defender at the next level.
Gary Trent Jr. – SG – Duke
The Pacers have shown this season that they are in need of a 3 & D type of guard/wing to compliment breakout star Victor Oladipo. While Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Young and Glenn Robinson III are all good pieces to have, known of them really move the meter for a rebuilding Pacers team. I’d say Glenn Robinson III has the best chances of sticking long term, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they are all on different rosters in the next 2-3 yeas. Gary Trent Jr, who’s dad was a former NBA player, is another freshman phenom who is headed for a bright NBA future. Trent Jr. has great size for a wing, 6’6, 215 pounds, and has shown this season he can really fill it up.
Jonathan Givony of Draft Express had this in his scouting report.
"“He has impressive scoring instincts and knows how to put the ball in the basket. He’s hungry for points, and has an alpha dog mentality. He’s a shot-maker who can get hot and hit a barrage of 3’s, both spotting up and off the dribble. Can move his feet and stay in front when he’s locked in and competing. Aggressive playing the passing lanes and has good instincts for coming up with steals”"
Trent Jr. has an NBA body and likely would have the ability to contribute right away for the Pacers. And as he develops and becomes more comfortable with the speed and athleticism of the guys in the league, he could potentially become a starting wing for many years to come.
Chandler Hutchison – SG/SF- Boise State
Boise State… isn’t that a football school? Yes it is, but Chandler Hutchison is trying to break that stereotype one bucket at a time. Hutchison is one the least known draft prospects but has been one of college basketball’s biggest breakout players in the 2017-18 season, and is currently shooting up draft boards.
The Boise State wing just gets buckets, it’s that simple. In fact there probably isn’t a more prolific scorer in college basketball (aside from Trae Young) than Chandler Hutchison. The 6’7 senior is currently averaging 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.4 assists this season, but has been on fire as of the last six games. Hutchinson dropped 44 against San Diego State last week, and has averaged over 27 points across the last six games for the Broncos.
Hutchison has great size, great touch, is aggressive at attacking the glass for a wing, and has the potential to be a very good 3 & D player at the next level. While he is a senior (that seems to carry a negative connotation these days) his development hasn’t stopped and he’s shown he has the potential to get better.
I’m also not the only one who thinks Chandler Hutchinson would be a good fit for the Pacers.
Forwards/Bigs
Wendell Carter Jr. – PF/C – Duke
Marvin Bagley III has been the Duke freshman big man that everyone has raved about this season, as he will likely be a top 3 pick come June. However, Wendell Carter isn’t too far behind in both talent and potential at the next level.
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The 6’10, 260-pound big man would be one of the most talked about players in college basketball if he played anywhere else in the country. But even playing alongside of Bagley, Carter has averaged a solid 13.5 points, 9.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game in just 25 minutes of play.
His game has been compared to Al Horford, due to his solid footwork, a strong face-up game, and a developing variety of post moves.
Carter would be a great replacement for Thaddeus Young, who could potentially be a free agent this offseason, and would strongly compliment the game of Myles Turner on both ends of the floor.
Robert Williams – PF/C – Texas A&M
Texas A&M’s sophomore big man is a unique player, that paired with Myles Turner would give the Pacers a lot of length, athleticism, versatility, shot blocking and rebounding.
While the 6’10 forward, who possesses a rare 7’4 wingspan, still has plenty of room for improvement and struggles mightily with consistency, the upside is undeniable.
While at one point Williams was considered a lock to be a lottery pick, I believe he has lost that value this season due to poor performances in big games and because of off the court trouble.
However, when you get a guy that can do a lot of different things this late in the draft, especially when your team is rebuilding, you don’t hesitate. Williams would be a good fit for the Pacers.
Chimezie Metu – PF/C – USC
If you’re looking for someone who tries to rip the rim off the goal every time they step foot on the court, Chimezie Metu is your guy. The USC junior big man has been very good this season, averaging 16.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game while shooting 53% from the field, and 45% from three.
He’s shown flashes of extreme athleticism, a very soft touch around the rim, and the ability to add new dimensions to his game (3-pointers this season), however, he has struggled mightily with inconsistency.
There are some nights when Metu looks like he could be a 20 and 10 guy at the next level, and other nights he looks like he may not be trying. While you worry about his love and devotion to the game, if Metu is available you can’t pass up his potential, especially late in the first round.
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If you get a consistent Metu, he could be a great candidate to play the role of scoring big man off the bench if Domantas Sabonis were to move into the starting five when Thaddeus Young becomes a free agent.