For the first time in a long time, the Indiana Pacers are looking at the chance for a draft pick near the top of the first round. Paul George was drafted tenth overall back in 2010 but prior to him, they hadn’t used a top-10 selection since 1996.
In fact, the Pacers have only drafted in the top 10 just nine times in franchise history and seven of those came prior to the 1990s. After hitting a brick wall this season, Indiana is looking like a team that is primed to draft in the lottery come this summer.
The Indiana Pacers could end up with a high pick after all
With a record of 21-26, the Pacers are now officially in the group of lottery-level teams with a chance to crack the top-10 in the upcoming draft. The good news for them, this is the perfect year to get into that high of a draft slot. This year’s class, at least on the surface, is loaded with talent that could immediately help the Pacers.
I think a big part of their struggles this season falls on Nate Bjorkgren and the roster not fitting what he wants to do. While there is certainly talent on the roster for Indiana, they do not play well defensively and are not consistent enough on offense.
It was fair to expect a slight step back from last season as the team transitioned to a new system but 2021 has been horrendous for Indiana. Injuries are decimating the roster almost every single night and poor shooting has left them behind in the fourth quarter of close games.
Injury Report for tonight's matchup in San Antonio:
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) April 3, 2021
Domantas Sabonis - Out (left ankle sprain)
Malcolm Brogdon - Questionable (right hip)
Jeremy Lamb - Questionable (right toe)
T.J. Warren - Out (left foot)
Following a big loss to the Hornets on Friday, the Pacers look more and more disappointing as the season hits the final stretch. If they can’t turn things around in a hurry, the Pacers will be busy during the draft process.
They could still land a good young player at any spot in the draft and I would expect that to be the plan regardless. Hopefully, Bjorkgren has the wherewithal to play his young guys and develop them more than the last coaching staff did.
Jalen Suggs, Evan Mobley, and Cade Cunningham highlight the draft class and should intrigue the Pacers quite a bit. Even with Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert in the mix, do not rule out a ball-handling guard that can run the offense out of the gate.
The draft could also be an avenue to move on from the Turbonis experiment if the Pacers are afforded the opportunity to add a more modern four. Either way, the Pacers are in a unique spot for a franchise that is accustomed to draft picks in the middle of the first round.