Pacers Draft Options: USC Guard De’Anthony Melton
By Luke Parrish
De’Anthony Melton missed the 2017-18 college basketball season, but the Pacers should still be intrigued by the young guard’s skill set.
The Pacers have a two-way guard in Victor Oladipo and a couple of young talents in the frontcourt with Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. Picking at 23rd overall in the NBA draft means Indiana will have slim pickings. But one option for the Pacers at 23 is De’Anthony Melton out of USC.
Melton missed the 2017-18 season due to suspension amid an FBI investigation. However, during his freshman season in 2016-17 showed tons of potential. He could pair well with Oladipo in the backcourt and haunt teams defensively. However, his offense is still developing. Let’s take a closer look at Melton.
Weaknesses
Melton was far from efficient with his jump shot at USC. He averaged just 8.3 points per game on .437/.284/.706 splits as a freshman. Yikes. In order to be a threat, he will have to prove he has the ability to shoot the ball at the next level. He also attempted only 6.4 shots per game, which shows a lack of shooting aggression on the offensive end of the floor.
On that end of the floor, there is a lot to develop. He’s raw. But the potential is all there. An improved jump shot and a more aggressive mindset will take his game to an entirely new and more dangerous level.
Strengths
What Melton lacks on offense, he more than makes up for everywhere else. At 6-foot-3, Melton has plenty of size to be an NBA guard, and his 6-foot-8 wingspan makes him a stud on defense. He averaged 2.2 blocks and 4.0 steals per 100 possessions in 2016-17. His length allows him to lock down opponents and eliminate shots at the rim. His smarts and long arms let him take the ball away whenever he wants. Pairing him with Victor Oladipo, who was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, would give Indiana an incredible defensive backcourt.
His size also enabled him to rack up 4.7 rebounds per game at USC. Rebounding and defense translate to the NBA, so he will have a place early on with whatever team selects him.
With 3.5 assists per game, Melton was second on his Trojans team. He had a pass-first mentality that many guards are straying away from. That is part of why his scoring wasn’t off the charts. With Indiana, he could allow Vic to be the primary ball-handler while he develops his overall offensive game. It could be an amazing fit.
Will he be available for Indiana?
Melton has been projected to go anywhere between picks 16-26. He could very well be in play for the Pacers depending on how the draft board shakes out. Adding him to the current roster may not be flashy, but it would be a smart move nonetheless. He has the potential to be one of the draft’s biggest steals.
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Melton could also fit a position of need, as both Darren Collison and Cory Joseph are heading into the final years of their contract. De’Anthony Melton might be a project, but he could end up being the perfect fit for the Pacers future.