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Can the Pacers get something valuable with the 50th pick?

By Tony East

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 26: Georges Niang #32 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during 2016 Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 26, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - SEPTEMBER 26: Georges Niang #32 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during 2016 Media Day at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 26, 2016 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2016 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Pacers have the 50th pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Can they get anything valuable with such a late selection?

The 2016 NBA draft was a bizarre night for Pacers fans. Soon after watching Taurean Prince go number 12 with a pick that was involved in the Jeff Teague coming to Indiana trade, the Pacers were on the clock at number 20. But then they traded that pick away to get help for Paul George, and they acquired Thaddeus Young instead of selecting a youngster. When the draft was over, the Pacers only wound up picking one time. They selected Georges Niang with the 50th pick.

While there was some excitement about the Niang selection, it was mostly due to the fact that he was the only rookie the Pacers got in that draft. He went on to play just 93 minutes for the Pacers and was not brought back for a second contract. This past season, he played nine games for the Utah Jazz, tallying 32 total minutes. Two seasons. 125 minutes. 27.7 percent shooting. Assuming he never plays for an NBA team again, that is the extent of Niang’s career. That is approximately what you can get with the 50th pick in the draft.

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The point of this remembrance of Niang is that he was chosen in the slot that the Pacers have this season in the second round – 50. And that is a solid barometer of what you can expect to happen this summer when Indiana picks that late.

Here is a list of all player selected with the 50th pick since 2010:

  • Solomon Alabi
  • Lavoy Allen
  • Izzet Turkyilamaz
  • James Ennis
  • Alec Brown
  • Marcus Eriksson
  • Georges Niang
  • Mathias Lessort

Look at that, two former Pacers! But more importantly, look at that, four guys who have never played in the NBA! Turkyilamaz, Brown, Eriksson, and Lessort have yet to touch NBA hardwood, and while Lessort has a chance, it is unlikely any of those guys ever have an impact. Ennis is a solid reserve wing, but nothing more. Allen and Niang are likely out of the league forever. None of these guys have amounted to much pro success, and that is par for the course that late in the draft.

It isn’t completely impossible to find talent here. Ryan Hollins was drafted 50th in 2006 and clawed his way to a 10-year professional career. Steve Kerr was chosen in this slot in the 1988 NBA draft. We all know how his career turned out (and is going). There can be diamonds in the rough even as late as 50.

Next: NBA Draft Dream: What Zhaire Smith could do for Pacers

So when Indiana hits the clock at 50, remember Georges Niang. Kerr, Allen, Ennis, and Hollins should give you hope that maybe something cool can come from this. But remember Georges Niang. It is really hard to find talent that late in the draft. Maybe Pritchard can pull it off, but it will be very challenging.

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