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.
Jonathan Kuminga – Forward (G-League)
While a player like Scottie Barnes might stick around if the Pacers land in the 8-12 range of the lottery, Jonathan Kuminga is going to require some luck in the lottery draw. He is projected to land in the top five of this draft thanks to his skill set at a premium position, which is always to be expected.
Kuminga brings plenty of size to the wing while also being a great overall athlete with quick feet and the tools to guard almost any position on the floor. He’s an explosive athlete that will be a killer in transition once he gets up to speed in the NBA. The only concerns with Kuminga are his forced shots and decision-making on the offensive end of the floor. Defensively, his length and upside are too rich to not gamble on at the top of the draft.
Indiana is desperate for a wing that can defend anywhere on the floor, especially if that wing has a 6-foot-11 wingspan with elite athleticism and quickness. He is going to be an impact player at the next level with his length contributing to steals, blocks, and rebounds while the athleticism will turn those into transition buckets.
Kuminga averaged 7.2 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game with the G-League Ignite last season and should carry that over to the NBA.
Davion Mitchell – Guard (Baylor)
If the Pacers want to look for a player that can stop quick guards on the defensive end, Davion Mitchell is their guy. There is a lot to like about Mitchell on the offensive end as well, which makes his transition to the NBA very promising for a team in the lottery.
Mitchell is an incredible on-ball defender that would bring a much-needed mentality to a struggling Indiana roster. His quick hands and ability to harass the ball-handler will make him an annoying player to play against but a fan favorite if he’s on your team.
The Pacers have a ton of questions regarding their perimeter defense, whether it be against wings or blow-by guards. If drafting – and playing – a guard like Davion Mitchell meant the Pacers had to move on from Malcolm Brogdon at point guard, I would not be too upset. Brogdon has been solid offensively this season but injuries and a lackluster defensive performance have left a sour taste in my mouth.
Someone like Mitchell would provide the necessary first step in eliminating defensive performances like the one we saw against the Wizards last week when Washington erupted for 154 points. The Pacers are too comfortable with allowing quicker guards to dictate the outcomes of games this season.