8 Points, 9 Seconds Draft Roundtable: Who should the Pacers take?

Are the Indiana Pacers better off taking a shot with their No. 23 pick, or should they piece it off in a trade on draft night?

Matthes: Depends on who they get or what they are offered. I think the world of Donte DiVincenzo and believe he would be an excellent Pacer, ditto for Cincinnati’s Jacob Evans. If Indy could move up, they’d almost guarantee to get one of them. If they trade the pick to bring in an established player, ok, I guess. The Pacers have done that before to mixed results. It just depends on whom they are getting in return and whom they are passing up.

East: I think they should make a selection. They need some youth in the pipeline that shows promise to pair with TJ Leaf, and this selection seems like their best chance to get that unless they move up. Youth is also cheap to keep on the roster, so it could be a way to improve the roster without spending a ton. Taking, and hitting, a shot at 23 could completely change the trajectory of the franchise (as could any move, but a good selection gives you the most options) and makes the most sense for the front office to pursue.

Hughes: Indiana should be fine staying put, moving up, or moving down. This is a deep draft all the way through the early second round. They could get a player they like at no. 23, drop down and pick up an extra asset, or make a small payment with a team like Denver to get a lottery talent. There are a lot of paths to take, and they should end up with a good player either way.

Kiesel: I would really like to see the Indiana Pacers keep the pick, or at least keep a pick. I think this is a very talented class, and unless it was an offer that is nearly impossible to pass up, I would very much like to see the Pacers hang onto the 23rd pick. However, I would personally do that Faried trade I’ve previously mentioned. I think it puts us in a good position to get a really key player for the future at the 14 slot and adds a solid player at a position we could be a significantly weaker in should Thad choose not to re-sign.

Do I think that specific Denver trade will happen? No. But regardless of what trade we may or may not make, I just hope we retain a first round pick, whether it is 23rd or not.

Eggers: If they are to trade the pick, I’d hope that it’s either in a package where they move up or down in the first round. With this year’s draft class, I want Pritchard and his scouts to swing for the fences and grab a young player to develop. With Leaf having a bit of an ambiguous future with the Pacers after a lackluster season, Indiana needs prospects.