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Indiana Pacers: The 13th pick has a favorable history

By Luke Parrish

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 01: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - MARCH 01: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz drives reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during a game at the Smoothie King Center on March 01, 2021 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Paul George of the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers – INDIANAPOLIS, IN – APRIL 23 /

The 13th overall pick might be a hidden gem for the Indiana Pacers.

Prior to the NBA Draft Lottery, the Indiana Pacers are projected to hold the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. While they will likely miss out on the top prospects in this class, they have a lot to look forward to if they do stick at 13th.

Sure, Indiana could use a superstar from the top of the draft that they can build around for the future. Any time you get the chance to grab a young star with loads of potential, optimism is reset into a sinking franchise. Cade Cunningham or Jalen Suggs would be incredible additions to this Pacers team at the top of the draft.

The simple truth is, the Pacers never really get to pick at the top of the draft. Most of their work has been done later in the lottery or through trades, especially in recent memory. Paul George and Myles Turner were the last Pacers selections to come out of the lottery but neither were top-four choices.

Paul George was selected 10th overall back in 2010 and Turner was chosen 11th overall in 2015. Indiana does not do particularly well in the first round of the draft either, missing on guys like T.J. Leaf and Solomon Hill while also trading away the picks that netted Kawhi Leonard and Caris LeVert.

This year, the Pacers have a chance to turn that history around with another late lottery selection at a draft slot that has done pretty well in recent years. Before the lottery is finalized, let’s take a look at some recent selections with the 13th overall pick in hopes of shifting the hope to the Pacers’ future.

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