Matthes' Manifesto: Who should be on the Pacers draft board?

The NBA Draft is this week, and Jonathan Matthes breaks down the Pacers likely draft picks as part of his offseason manifesto.

The first major step in the NBA offseason is the June 21st NBA Draft. But, if you’re reading this you already knew that, and I’m sure that you’ve got your list of favorites, too.

Below is just one of many such lists for your consideration.

But we don’t want to just list out players, any website can do that. First let’s rule out what the Pacers don’t need.

Center: As we said earlier, Indiana has three centers on the roster that are 22 years-old or younger. One needs to be brought along and developed further. Two are going to be dominating the minutes at the five. The rookie would rarely play, and if he did he’s taking minutes away from the still developing Sabonis and Turner. The Pacers shouldn’t take one at number 23, and should probably avoid one at number 50 as well.

Attacking shooting guard: This would be another misfire for the same reason as the Center. Indiana not only has one attacking 2, but they have Lance Stephenson as well. In the interim Indiana would have two back ups at shooting guard, which doesn’t address any of the other needs on the roster. If they pick a guard he either needs to be able to run the point, or a knock down three-point shooter, or, preferably, both. But someone who has to have the ball in his hand to be successful, and doesn’t have a good jumper, isn’t improving this team.

First-round power forward: Not because the position can’t be improved. The gulf between this draft’s best power forward (Michigan State’s Jaren Jackson Jr.) and second place is vast. There are other positions that should be addressed.

An alternate view with Tony East

The players on the Pacers radar

Key: (age, points per 40 minutes, FG%/ 3P%/ FT%, either assist/turnover per 40 (for guards) or rebounds and PER

1. Donte DiVincenzo, G, Villanova: 21 yrs, 18.4, 48/40/71, +2.1 A/T, 20.9

If there is a player who could join Nikola Jokic (41st in 2014), Rudy Gobert (27th in 2013) and Kyle Kuzma (27th in 2017) on the “How-Did-So-Many-Teams-Pass-On-Him” Team, it’s DiVincenzo. The “Michael Jordan of Delaware” (his actual nickname) can almost do it all; his biggest weakness is turnovers, he’ll try to thread needles that are unthreadable. He is electric on a basketball court, bubbling over with frenetic energy. On defense has active hands and quick enough feet to consistently stay in front of his defender. His NBA Draft Combine leading 34.5 standing vertical jump, allows him to elevate with case to alter shots or to double block a poor Michigan Wolverine.

He’s also aggressive on offense. He has a natural predilection to play point guard, which – thanks to Villanova’s motion offense- he gained some experience in this past season. Although he will need further time to grow into it. DiVincenzo can also play well with out the ball, both starting (10 starts, 14.9 ppg, 46.9 FG%) and off the bench (30 more games, 12.9 ppg, 48.8 FG%). It was from the bench that he gouged Michigan for 31 points in the National Championship game. But, he’s not a one-hit wonder DiVincenzo thrived nearly all season long, his potential was barely scratched in 2017-18.

2. Zhaire Smith, G/F, Texas Tech: 18 yrs, 15.9, 56/45/72, 7 REB, 23

KANSAS CITY, MO – MARCH 09: Texas Tech Red Raiders guard Zhaire Smith (2) goes high for a dunk. /

Smith is a raw, jack rabbit. He doesn’t jump but rather springs into the air as if yanked by invisible wires. He’s sharp defensively with quick feet, the speed to both stay in front of his mark or catch a driving foe from behind. Even more remarkable he consistently boxes out bigger players for rebounds.

On offense he tends to rely on his athleticism more than basketball know-how. Like, he literally just started shooting 3-pointers two years ago. I think that makes his 45 3PT% (even on only 40 attempts) more impressive, he just started shooting threes and almost made half of his attempts in college. Looks like a growth area. He really came into his own in the NCAAs (12 ppg, 50/56/63, 7 rbg, 3 asts, 1 steal, 1 block) including a devastating 18/9 game against Florida.

There are two flaws with Smith. At 6’4″ in shoes, he’s very short for a small forward (the position he’s best suited for). He’ll be undersized in almost every matchup. While his strong defensive fundamentals will help, the competition will also be much tougher than he’s ever faced. He won’t even have a size advantage against guards. The second issue is he likely be gone by the time the Pacers pick. Smith makes sense for San Antonio (18th), Minnesota (20th) and Utah (21st).

3. Jacob Evans, SF, Cincinnati: 20 yrs, 16.9, 43/37/75, 6.1 REB, 20.5

NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 16: Jacob Evans #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats defends a shot by Isaiah Williams #11 of the Georgia State. /

Baring the unforeseen Evans should be a productive NBA player for a long time. He’s a strong a decisive defender, who has slightly better size than Smith on the wing. He’s the type of player that doesn’t have to be the focus of an offense or the “star” to be a factor, he knows the game thoroughly and makes winning plays. For example, he normally lingers on the wing to space the floor but unlike most players to hover around the wing, Evans isn’t static. He constantly adjusts his placement to stay in the morphing passing lane. It’s the type of subtle but heady play that will allow him to excel in any role he finds himself in. He was 8 points, 9 seconds pick in the fansided.com draft, so there’s that.

4. Khyri Thomas G Creighton: 21 yrs, 19, 54/41/79, +1.2 A/T, 21.8

MILWAUKEE, WI – MARCH 03: Khyri Thomas #2 of the Creighton Bluejays dribbles the ball while being guarded by Sam Hauser #10 of the Marquette. /

When thinking of Khyri Thomas, think of a guard in the mold of Piston great Joe Dumars. Thomas is relatively shorter in height, but with condor arms that were a key to his All-Big East defense (Thomas is the twice defending Big East Defensive player of the year). In many ways he’s the antithesis of the more famous Kyrie (Irving of the Celtics).

Irving prefers to have the ball in his hands, though he can be successful off of it, and makes his biggest impact on offense. Thomas prefers to move without the ball, though he can handle it, and makes his biggest impact on defense. That doesn’t mean that Thomas is limited offensively, he took 151 threes and made 41.1% of them. He’s a very good player and would be one in Indiana too.

The slight hiccup would be his role with the Pacers. Deploying him alongside Oladipo would be imposing defensively, but it also wouldn’t result in many assists. He’d be a good fit in Phoenix (16th) next to Devin Booker or in San Antonio (them again), so he might not even be there for the Pacers to select.

5. Landry Shamet PG Wichita State: 21 yrs, 18.8, 49/44/83, +3.9 A/T, 21.4

ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 10: Landry Shamet #11 of the Wichita State Shockers drives to the basket during a semifinal game of the 2018 AAC Basketball Championship. /

It would be a shocker if Shamet isn’t available when the Pacers pick 23rd. Shamet moves a little gangly on the court, so he’s not exactly graceful. And he’ll own up to it, everyone’s questions his defensive acumen. Considering the NBA is loaded with dynamic point guards, if those concerns prove valid, that would be problematic.

That said, Shamet has two indelible strengths. First, he is in complete control of the offenses that he runs. He’s patient surveying defenses and rarely makes poor decisions. Second, he was one of the elite three-point shooters in the nation. Shamet would pair very well next to Oladipo in the Pacers backcourt, both of their strengths would compliment the other seemlessly.

Etc.

Chandler Hutchison (Boise State, G/F, 25.8 points and 9.9 rebounds per 40 minutes), shot an adequate 36% from three this year for the Broncos. But his style game (hit threes and/or drive past defenders rushing out) will translate well to the NBA.

Matthes’ Manifesto: Who should be on the Pacers draft board?

By Jonathan Matthes | Jun 19, 2018