Indiana Pacers: 3 draft prospects worth trading up for

Jonathan Kuminga -Forward (G-League)

Another explosive, long, high-ceiling wing that would fill a massive need for the Pacers? Sign me up. If this list looks repetitive, that’s a good thing! There’s a reason the Pacers need to move up to secure a top-level wing in this draft class. Their guards are capable of being good players in this league, between LeVert and Brogdon, and the current centers are still capable of playing at a high level.

Even if they keep the starting five intact, the Pacers would still need to ensure the bench is deep at the most important position on the floor, the perimeter. Jonathan Kuminga enters this draft as a top-five player on the board and will certainly have high expectations as he hits the next level.

He’s an explosive athlete that loves to play above the rim, the type of player the Pacers have not had recently. Sure, the Cassius Stanley draft pick was in the same avenue, but Kuminga is on a different planet than Stanley as a player.

Kuminga averaged 15.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in the G-League this season while playing a lot of guys who have already spent time in the NBA. He can be a reliable scorer in the NBA, especially when he attacks the basket and looks for contact.

The biggest critique of Kuminga as things stand is his inability to hit shots from the outside and the poor shot selection that comes with it. He only shot 24.6 percent from deep in the G-League but attempted 5.5 threes per game, which is a questionable decision.

If Kuminga reaches his ceiling, or even anything close to it, he would be a very impactful forward for the Pacers, both as a starter and off the bench. He is the exact type of player they need to play at power forward when Turbonis eventually runs its course.