Indiana Pacers Prospects: Moses Moody, a defensive bulldog

The day one impact of Moses Moody on the Indiana Pacers.

Defense: The long-needed primary stopper has finally arrived!

Injuries are not the biggest problem with the Indiana Pacers this season, as our perimeter defense, or lack thereof, has been this team’s Achilles’ Heel since we first laced our shoes up in the preseason, and T.J. Warren‘s absence wouldn’t change that. The Pacers haven’t had a stopper we can confidently throw on an opposing team’s best player all season.

Defensive mega stud Myles Turner‘s back must be killing him this year, as he has carried almost 100% of the load defensively, and he’s needed someone to lessen the burden he carries on that end. Moses Moody would unquestionably be that dude for the Pacers.

The Pacers would be able to confidently let him eat up high-level scorers thanks to his physicality, elite defensive fundamentals, tenacity, and track meet stamina.

The perfect fit defensively doesn’t just come from his ability to be a primary defender though, as his aforementioned off-ball expertise would allow him to swing backside and help Turner at the rim in weakside help situations.

All in all, Moses Moody would be a can’t miss prospect defensively for a team that again, is sorely lacking athleticism and defensive ability on the wing.

Offense: Solid off-ball threat and spot-up option

Even though he may be far from a perfect fit schematically for the Pacers, he would still add an exceptional amount of value to a 2021 Navy and Gold roster that will have a good amount of high usage players like T.J. Warren, Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon, and Caris LeVert.

With all of these high usage point snaggers, it could be wise to draft a player that thrives off the ball. Speaking of Sabonis, drafting Moody could give Domas a much-needed off-ball cutting option that we really only see in Doug McDermott. Sabonis throwing missiles to a cutting Moody could give Nate Bjorkgren a couple of buckets a game, and I think Moody’s own passing could add more fluidity to an at times rigid and pick and roll dependant offense.

His spot-up shooting would just be icing on the cake, as he’d fit well away from the frequent Brogdon-Sabonis pick and roll and dribble hand-off actions. He’d keep the spacing that other solid shooters like Justin Holiday bring while also adding his elite defense.

His offense could really shine for this team on the fastbreak, as because of his strength as a rebounder, he’d bide well as a “grab and go” option running the break with his high IQ passing and solid fastbreak finishing. Again, this is a skillset the Pacers lack.

Where is he supposed to be selected?