What players are the Pacers taking in the latest mock drafts?

The Indiana Pacers have the 18th pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Let’s take a look at some of the mock drafts to see who they might end up with.

The Indiana Pacers’ scouting department’s hard work will come to fruition on June 20th when they make the 18th pick in the NBA draft. With picking outside of the top ten, making the most of the selection — and perhaps finding a sleeper — is how their careers get defined.

Even if the type of players taken there are rarely the ones that shift the fates of a franchise, they can be the difference between a deep bench and playing your starters 40+ minutes in every playoff game.

As always, hope abounds as both the draft and Indiana’s time on the clock draws near, but who exactly should we be keeping an eye on?

After taking a look at the most recent mock drafts, there’s a mix of proven players and prospects with potential wrapped in raw, untapped talent.

Let’s see who some of the experts see falling to the Pacers in the 18th spot.

SI.com: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Virginia Tech

Sports Illustrated’s Jeremy Woo’s sees Nickeil Alexander-Walker as one of the better ways to address Indiana’s lack of playmakers.

The shooting guard’s ability to attack the basket while hitting 37.4% of his 3-point attempts would help open up the floor and take the pressure off Victor Oladipo to score so much, especially in clutch situations. His basketball IQ is obvious when he is on the court, and needed as he isn’t the most physically intimidating player on the floor.

But perhaps like Bojan Bogdanovic, if he is keeping defenders honest by striking from deep, the lack of an explosive first step is easier to overcome when they are closing hard on 3-pointers.

USA Today’s Jeff Zillgitt and AJ Neuharth-Keusch also have NAW as the Pacers’ pick in their mock.

Bleacher Report: Ty Jerome, Virginia

Joe Tansey over at Bleacher Report sees Ty Jerome in the Pacers future.

Like Alexander-Walker, his long-range shooting is needed to overcome some of his physical limitations, but his IQ helps make him a playmaker the Pacers are in search of. The fact he played well at both ends of the floor certainly doesn’t hurt his prospects either.

While Indiana needs scoring too, his low turnover percentage bodes well for him if he isn’t the one on the attack for the Pacers.

As we mentioned his physical size isn’t overly impressive, but at 6’5, if he plays point guard he could use that against some of his smaller counterparts while being able to play up a position on the defensive side of things.

Rotoword: Tyler Herro, Kentucky

According to Raphhille Johnson of Rotoworld, it’s Tyler Herro that’s in Indina’s future.

We’ve hit on his pros and cons before: He’s a shooter and doesn’t struggle to score, but his lack of wingspan and speed is a ref flag.

His 35.5% mark from 3-point shooting feels a little low, but that’s more of a product of him forcing things at times than a problem with his shot itself. Along with IQ, would need to improve his finishing to become a real threat.

If he can be a knockdown shooter in the NBA, then there’s a place for him.

Ty Delbridge of Hoops Habit also selected Herro in his mock.

Sporting News: Kevin Porter Jr, USC

Sean Deveney of the Sporting News has the 6’6 shooting guard out of USC as the Pacers pick.

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Kevin Porter Jr. is a bit big for a guard in college, but that might make him perfect in that role in the NBA. That size allows him to finish in traffic and score when his more streaky shot isn’t falling. Despite the streakiness, he managed to shoot 41.2% on 3-pointers at USC,

His size will help in the NBA on defense but there needs to development on that end as well. He needs to remain focused to avoid mistakes on that end, as well as on offense where it shows in the form of turnovers. His decision making will hopefully improve with time and more coaching.

He’s got upside, and plenty of it, but there a few reasons why he might fall to the Pacers, too.

CBS Sports: Rui Hachimura

Despite our own Ben Pfeifer’s feelings on the Gonzaga product, CBS Sports’ Gary Parrish has the Pacers taking Rui Hachimura with the 18th pick.

The Japanese forward looks great when he attacks the basket or the glass, but his feel for the game hasn’t caught up with the body of what looks like an NBA player.

There is raw potential, but it’s called raw because it’s wrapped up in a number of flaws. He isn’t big on shooting outside of the paint and on defense often finds himself out of place.

But there’s also something about tenacity around the rim and scoring from close range that makes him an intriguing possibility for the Pacers. When he’s on, his offense and defense aren’t to be trifled with.

What do you think of the possibilities for the Pacers? Let us know ho would you like to see Indiana take with the 18th pick on Twitter.