Who the Indiana Pacers should have selected in every NBA Draft since 2010

2018

First-round selection: Aaron Holiday (WRONG)

Available: Devonte’ Graham

Second-round selection: Alize Johnson (WRONG)

Available: Kendrick Nunn

Devonte’ Graham quickly bursted onto the scene at the start of the 2019-20 season. Though he has fizzled out a bit throughout the year after his hot start, he’s still the better point guard between himself and Aaron Holiday.

Averaging 18.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists, his numbers look far better than Holiday’s which sit at 9.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists.

I struggle to say that Graham would have been the better pick, though. His game and numbers are extremely impressive, but by no means indicative of Holiday being the worse long-term player by a wide margin.

Graham has been put in a position to excel in part due to the quality of the team around him.

The Hornets are one of the worst teams in the Eastern Conference, and his quick start to the year launched him into the starting lineup very quickly.

Holiday, on the other hand, has started just 26 games in his career thus far and has served a lesser role for the Pacers, which is no fault of his own.

It’s a bit early to say this was the wrong choice.

Selecting Alize Johnson in the second round when Kendrick Nunn was available looks wrong now, but it’s important to remember that Nunn was not far removed from some dicey allegations that forced him to transfer schools.

In terms of pure skill, Nunn was obviously the better pick, though.

Should have selected: Devonte’ Graham and Kendrick Nunn

2019

First-round selection: Goga Bitadze (WRONG)

Available: Matisse Thybulle

Second-round selection: Jarrell Brantley (WRONG)

Available: Luguentz Dort

Last year’s draft was not bad for the Pacers, but could have had more immediate impacts on the team. Goga was a good selection, and it’s going to be exciting to see him fill out into a legitimate big man in the NBA.

Matisse Thybulle, right now, though, is more impactful.

Thybulle is a 3-and-D weapon that has legitimate Defensive Player of the Year potential. In terms of deflections per 36 minutes, Thybulle is fourth in the NBA with 4.6.

His defensive upside was questioned prior to the draft because he came from a zone defense in Washington that might have allowed him to cover up some of his deficiencies. Clearly, the principles he learned transferred to the NBA and a man-to-man heavy system, as he’s one of the best defensive rookies from the class of 2019.

Luguentz Dort is also having a great defensive season for the Thunder and has been a bit of a surprise. The Pacers traded Brantley to the Jazz for a future pick, so it’s a bit too early to make a determination on their second-round selection from 2019.

Should have selected: Matisse Thybulle and Lu Dort