A comprehensive guide to the Indiana Pacers 2019 NBA Draft

Tier X

Chuma Okeke, F, Auburn

I list Chuma Okeke in his own ‘tier X’ because of his likely drafted range. Prior to his ACL tear, Okeke seemed to be in play in the top 20 and would be firmly in my tier II on the board. However, his ACL tear makes it so the Pacers will almost certainly not select him at 18 and he will likely be gone by 50.

I wanted to mention Okeke, but feel the only scenario where Indiana would draft him would be if they traded down. I wrote about Okeke in depth here, but his elite feel for the game, his passing on offense and defensive playmaking, make him a prospect who could reasonably develop into a star role player down the line.

Second round targets

Jontay Porter, C, Mizzou

I went in-depth on Porter here. He is a basketball genius and big who thrives on the perimeter, with special passing, handling and movement shooting for his size. Despite injury concerns, his upside would make him a steal at pick 50.

Ignas Brazdeikis, F, Michigan

I wrote about Brazdeikis here. He won’t e a star, but Brazdeikis is a strong bet to contribute due to his strength, size and versatile scoring arsenal.

Charles Matthews, F, Michigan

Matthews’ ACL injury means he will almost certainly be available at 50. He’d be a strong selection there and reminiscent of the Pacers’ selection of injured wing Edmond Sumner. The best perimeter defender in this draft, Matthews’ frame and rare hip mobility and movement skills help him dominate on the ball. His team defense is excellent as well, with a preternatural feel for making plays in help defense. Matthews’ offense is raw, but if he can get to around average from three, his defense alone makes him an extremely valuable role player.

Justin Wright-Foreman, G, Hofstra

I wrote about Wright-Foreman here. His lack of size and athleticism, especially on the defensive end is concerning, though he may be the best pull-up shooter in this draft and has a deadly and versatile enough scoring arsenal to see him having a Lou Williams-type impact as a high outcome.

Tremont Waters, G, LSU

Standing a hair under 5’11 in shoes, Waters’ stature makes his NBA chances slim by themselves. However, he’s an immensely talented basketball player with as good a shot as any small player to carve out a role. He has all of the skills lead guards need: first-step quickness, ability to make high-level passes, pull-up shooting.

He’ll be relentlessly hunted on defense and will need to be a nuclear offensive player to have positive value. Even if he never reaches that bar, Waters’ skills give him a nice shot as a backup point guard with regular season value.

Standing a hair under 5’11 in shoes, Waters’ stature makes his NBA chances slim by themselves. However, he’s an immensely talented basketball player with as good a shot as any small player to carve out a role.

Jordan Poole, G, Michigan

Poole is one of the most talented ball manipulators in this class, with an advanced handle to create separation for jumpers and get to the rim.

He has legitimate shot versatility, with a strong ability to separate for and hit pull-up threes and some movement shooting as well. He is an average decision maker at best and likely struggles on defense and probably isn’t a point guard despite being an underrated and excellent pick and roll passer.

At pick 50, his creation ability and talent with the ball would give Indiana another much-needed scoring punch. Read more on Poole here.

DaQuan Jeffries, F, Tulsa

DaQuan Jeffries is one of the best athletes in this class, with strength and vertical explosiveness to protect the rim. HIs feel for the game is fantastic, creating events and rotating well on defense. As a passer, he makes the right play and makes good decisions with consistency, something I value heavily.

If he shoots threes, Jeffries has an NBA role as a valuable 3-D wing with some potential passing creation. Read more on Jeffries here.

Terence Davis, F/G, Ole Miss

Davis is one of the five best athletes in this entire draft class, with a combination of vertical explosion, a lightning-quick jump, first step quickness, lateral agility, body control and brute strength. He has nice touch and shot versatility which suggests his three-point shot is real and his passing and handling skill is underrated. Despite being 6’4, his athletic tools and 6’9 wingspan make him more of a wing than a guard and a potential impact one.

Dean Wade, F, Kansas State

Wade has dealt with injury issues and is far too passive, but there are few 6’10 bigs as skilled and fluid as Wade. He’s a legitimate shooter with handling and passing skill who moves well on the defensive end. He has strong defensive instincts and can switch a little bit, giving him a strong skillset made for a modern two-way combo big.

Terance Mann, F, Florida State

Mann’s jumper is questionable, but he does everything teams want in two-way wings. He’s a good slasher and passer, with stellar finishing ability and some pick and roll passing as well. A solid man defender and active team defender, Mann is a three-point shot away from providing solid minutes on the wing in an NBA rotation.

Cody Martin, G, Nevada

Martin’s age and lack of athleticism are not good signs, though his feel for the game and statistical dominance give him a strong case as a prospect. At 6’6 and Nevada’s nominal point guard, Martin’s passing and mid-range dominance are useful skills and his mid-range and rim efficiency lend well to extending to three.

Despite his age, Martin is a strong bet to contribute positive value due to his feel, passing, dribbling, potential shooting and defensive ability.

John Konchar, G, Purdue Fort Wayne

Another prospect with an elite feel for the game, Konchar is a superb team defender, with athleticism and instincts to make plays and making up for his deficiencies on the ball. He gets to the rim well with his quickness, makes great decisions and shoots well from three. That is the recipe for a strong backup guard in an NBA rotation.

Yovel Zoosman, F, Maccabi Tel Aviv

Zoosman is my favorite draft and stash prospect, as a 6’7 wing with passing prowess and enough handle and jumper to play on the wing. He is a high feel player and a great defender due to his size, length (7’1 wingspan) and strength.

Already contributing in the EuroLeague at 21 years old, Zoosman is a good bet to be a positive wing role player with some creation ability. Read more on Zoosman here.