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Indiana Pacers: Grading the franchise’s last 4 drafts

By Luke Parrish

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 08: T.J. Leaf #22 of the Indiana Pacers is seen during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 8, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 08: T.J. Leaf #22 of the Indiana Pacers is seen during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 8, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers
Goga Bitadze, Indiana Pacers – Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

How have the Indiana Pacers done in recent NBA Drafts?

With the Indiana Pacers set to make a selection in the NBA Draft’s lottery range, we should take a quick look back at recent history to see just how well – or poorly – the Pacers have done in the team-building phase.

The Pacers have not built their roster through the draft in the same way other teams have but they have also not had the success of the franchises that have joined them in building through trades and free agency. Indiana is not going to attract the big-ticket free agents but rather try to fill out the rotation with cheap deals on players with some sort of baggage, typically injury concerns.

Why haven’t the Pacers been successful in the draft? For starters, they have not had many high draft picks so their odds of landing a star are quite slim. Paul George and Myles Turner were both selections in the back end of the lottery but with only seven picks in franchise history coming in the first eight picks. The Pacers have not had a top-eight selection since 1989 and have not had a top-10 selection since 2010.

It’s been over a decade since Indiana has had a real chance at one of the superstars in a draft class. This year, Indiana is projected to pick 13th overall prior to the lottery, leaving them with a lottery pick but not a great one. Although, the history of that pick might be worth salivating over.

How have the Indiana Pacers done in their past four NBA Drafts?

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