NBA Draft Mock 1.0: Early pre-lottery projections for all 30 teams
Pick Analysis. Franz Wagner. Scouting Report. SF. Michigan. 13. player. 100
NBA Draft Mock 13th Pick: Indiana Pacers
After a disappointing season which saw the Indiana Pacers be embroiled in another endless string of injuries which cultivated into a lottery finish, the need for another retooling is set to be at the crux of the Blue and Gold’s blueprint this offseason to build a potent squad that can give the upper echelon in the East a run for their money.
One of the routes to improve the team will be the NBA draft, and with the 13th pick, Franz Wagner will be the best prospect available. He can easily be selected much earlier, but Indiana would be wise to put him atop their big board.
The 6’9 forward is a smooth offensive player who thrives in pace and space situations. His deft three-point touch will be a giant addition to the Pacers’ below average three-point attempt rate and conversion, especially with primary sniper Doug McDermott possibly pricing himself out of Indy’s range in free agency. His court vision is also nothing to scoff at, though his defense needs a lot of tweaks to be serviceable on that end.