8 Points, 9 Seconds Draft Roundtable: Who should the Pacers take?
By Ryan Eggers
It’s time to make your case. In your realistic best-case scenario, who is your dream player at No. 23?
Matthes: DiVincenzo. He fits everything that Indiana could want in a guard that adds to (and not subtracts from) Oladipo. He plays well of defense, handles the ball well, sees the floor well and has a versatile offensive game. He and Victor could trade ball-handling duties and both be able to thrive off-the-ball. We know Indiana likes him after he got a lot of attention during his workout with the Pacers. He’s barely scratched the surface of what he can do on the basketball court, he’ll explode (in a good way) in the NBA.
East: Jalen Brunson. National player of the year doesn’t actually mean anything (the Kings have two of them on their roster and they both aren’t special) but Brunson seems to be a complete stud. He can hit shots from all over the court, he can run an NBA offense, he’s a winner, and he is methodical with his movements. His individual workout with the team went well, and he showed smarts and poise in his interviews. I love him as a prospect.
Hughes: I have always wanted Zhaire Smith. Out of all the prospects projected to go 10-30, I think Smith has the highest ceiling and best chance at becoming a superstar. He needs to shoot well on a larger sample size than college and develop on the ball more. He’s so comfortable off the ball, which makes him a great fit next to Victor Oladipo. And he is a willing defender, which is important.
Kiesel: As you may be able to tell by my responses so far, I am a big fan of Brunson. He’s a smart, technically sound, NBA-ready point guard that I think could slide right into Indiana’s bench, and maybe even down the road, a starting role. He’s got a good head on his shoulders (he graduated from Villanova in three years), and has the NBA in his blood, as he’s the son of former NBA player Rick Brunson. While he may be a reach in this draft, he is a player I could realistically see having a long and successful NBA career due to his willingness to distribute the ball, but also to score when he needs to.
Eggers: Khyri Thomas. He might not have as much superstar potential as other late picks, but he does seem to have the best combination of skillset and fit with the Indiana Pacers. In an ideal world, he develops into the perfect young off-guard alongside Oladipo. If his shot translates, he’ll have no issue getting big minutes on the floor. A defensive backcourt of Oladipo and Thomas would make Dan Burke salivate. Thomas was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year two years in a row. His offensive ceiling isn’t too high, but his odds of being a capable starter are much more likely than what you’d expect to get at No. 23.
Next: Pacers schedule sixth pre-draft workout for Tuesday
That’s all, folks! Buckle up, it’s going to be a crazy night. For the Pacers, for you, and for the league.