Which NBA Draft prospects can the Indiana Pacers turn to for defensive help?
It’s no secret that defense has been a huge issue for the Indiana Pacers this season, especially since Myles Turner and Goga Bitadze have hit the injury report. Which prospects in the 2021 NBA Draft could help turn the defense around?
Scottie Barnes – Forward (Florida State)
Scottie Barnes is going to be my favorite option for the Indiana Pacers between now and the upcoming draft. Barnes is an incredible two-way forward that fills a massive need for Indiana at the moment. They currently lack defense at the four spot, although the rise of Oshae Brissett does give them an extra piece on the bench when everyone is healthy.
Having Barnes in the starting five while Brissett slides back into the bench would give the Pacers two consistent players in a smaller lineup while moving on from the Turbonis pairing that has been so underwhelming. Barnes may not be a steady shooter from the outside but his defensive upside is worth the gamble for a team like the Pacers.
Indiana has enough weapons on offense with Caris LeVert, Malcolm Brogdon, and Domantas Sabonis to make up for a defense-minded forward in the lineup.
Quick hands and instincts will be the calling card for Barnes at the next level. He has the size and length to match up in the frontcourt but he also has quick feet that make him a mismatch on the other end if he gets picked up by a traditional big.