The 2021 NBA Draft Lottery is only a day away. With the upcoming draft comprised by a wide pool of talented rookies, and the class highly touted as one of the deepest yet in recent years, the already-eventful offseason will spawn even more fireworks. The Indiana Pacers, in the thick of the lottery game, will be a team to keep an eye on.
Despite forecasts of a rebuilding pivot after a season full of disappointments and tumult, the Pacers are clearly on track to regain some traction to move atop the East. It will certainly not be easy, especially after missing the postseason altogether this year, but the draft will be full of players whom Indiana can pluck and install to contribute right away.
The Indiana Pacers will almost certainly settle for 13th in the NBA Draft Lottery
That being said, the odds don’t point toward a monumental selection for the Pacers in this year’s NBA Draft. Having only a paltry 4.8 percent of cracking the top 4, the Blue and Gold will almost certainly be picking late in the lottery.
However, crazier things have happened in the past. In 2011, the LA Clippers won the first overall pick in the draft despite only boasting a 2.8 percent chance at the top pick. Unfortunately for them, the selection was conveyed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who selected future All-Star Kyrie Irving.
It will be hard to beat the odds, but the possibilities are absolutely not outside the commerce of men. Nevertheless, the Indiana Pacers will have a lot of options to go with whatever spot they end up with. Here are the best prospects to select at every possible draft spot.
The Indiana Pacers should not overthink if they obtain the top pick in the NBA Draft Lottery
Odds: 1.2 percent
Best Prospect: Cade Cunningham
This minuscule chance verges on pipe dream territory, but if the Indiana Pacers manage to beat the odds, shock the world, and send the NBA into an utmost frenzy by winning the NBA Draft Lottery, they should not try to get cute and have second thoughts. Throughout the year, Cade Cunningham has been projected to be selected first overall, regardless of the team.
The Oklahoma State phenom is possesses the highest ceiling among all rookies in the upcoming draft, boasting a unique skillset and versatility to his game that is unmatched by players of his stature. With norms of 20.1 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game in his lone college season, the potential to be a franchise cornerstone is sky-high for the 6’8 guard.
Yes, the Pacers have Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert and TJ Warren as interchangeable pieces, but Cunningham has all the niches of those three players and he does it to a tee. This is, by odds, mostly wishful thinking, but there’s no doubt in my mind that Indiana should never even attempt to look elsewhere with the top pick. Commence the prayer circles.
The Indiana Pacers balance the scales if they get the 2nd pick in the NBA Draft Lottery
Odds: 1.3 percent
Best Prospect: Jalen Suggs
Most mock drafts made by NBA pundits point to Evan Mobley as the consensus and objective 2nd overall pick in the NBA Draft. However, if the Indiana Pacers seize control of the spot through whatever transcendental movement of the ping-pong balls, the decision will be a lot harder to make.
On paper, Mobley has all the makings of the next great NBA big man. However, the fit and the potential of Gonzaga’s Jalen Suggs is the more seamless fit which makes more sense next to Indiana’s current crop—or even with the most logical holdovers if the franchise ever attempts to rebuild.
Both Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner will not find themselves donning a different jersey next year concurrently. If so, Evan Mobley will not be the most opportunistic selection next to either big man if one is dealt to another team. Suggs is the more intriguing prospect here, boasting a skillset that is a lot easier to envision thriving in today’s game as an explosive backcourt talent.
The Indiana Pacers go with the obvious route if they seize the 3rd pick in the NBA Draft Lottery
Odds: 1.5 percent
Best Prospect: Evan Mobley
Drafting Evan Mobley with third pick comes with a gigantic premise: will the taker of the previous selection similarly be wretched in a balancing act like the Indiana Pacers? My guts tell me no, but we’re just talking about the team here. If they once again brave the odds and obtain the 3rd overall pick, there’s no reason to take anyone else but the obvious one.
Really, Suggs and Mobley are interchangeable at 2 and 3 for the Pacers. The USC standout is easy to envision as the next great NBA big man with his all-around, almost flawless skillset. He is wonderful on both offense and defense, having a menacing shot blocking ability and a knack for scoring from virtually anywhere.
Mobley is someone whom you can build the team around. While there are absolutely no guarantees in the NBA Draft, chiseling out even a modicum of certainty to cater to the bust possibility is foolish with what he brings to the table.
The Indiana Pacers play it safe if they get the 4th pick in the NBA Draft Lottery
Odds: 1.7 percent
Best Prospect: Jalen Green
Jalen Green, one the standouts in the NBA G-League Ignite, is a scorer in every sense of the word. His wide array of moves which is as expansive as anyone in the league, using his athleticism to supercharge his offensive arsenal. He is both fluid and explosive in his game despite his below average defense and thin frame.
Among his peers, Green is one of the safest bets to lead all rookies in scoring and contend for the Rookie of the Year hardware. If the Indiana Pacers were to acquire the 4th overall pick, they should go for the safest player at that point. While Jonathan Kuminga should also be an intriguing option with his wonderful defense, the leap may be higher with Green.
Next to the likes of Brogdon, LeVert, Warren and Sabonis, the Pacers can mobilize a five-man lineup with Suggs who can each score 20 on a nightly basis. While the defense needs a lot more attention after the recently-concluded season, a more stabilized lineup with less injuries and a new coach should be able to take care of it.
The Indiana Pacers search for the highest upside if they secure the 13th pick in the NBA Draft Lottery
Odds: 92.0 percent
Best Prospect: Josh Giddey
In our two previous mock drafts, I had the Indiana Pacers picking Franz Wagner and Corey Kispert with the 13th overall pick, so why pivot to Josh Giddey now? Well, despite the improbability of teams before them passing up on the Australian wonder, the Indiana Pacers should gun for him if he’s still on the board at that juncture.
As long as everything stays normal, then the Pacers will almost surely be picking 13th in the NBA Draft. It may seem to be of streamlined importance in other years, but this draft class is especially deep. Even having Josh Giddey as a possible get at 13th speaks volumes to the crest of available talents.
Giddey’s playmaking may be the best among his peers. It remains to be seen how he will handle tougher competition, but his raw skill as a passer is hard to ignore. His defense and athleticism are suspects, but the former is certainly learnable while the latter can be compensated with basketball IQ, which he has tons of.
The Indiana Pacers get a solid consolation if they fall to 14th in the NBA Draft Lottery
Odds: 2.3 percent
Best Prospect: Franz Wagner
Another slim possibility, the only impetus that will push the Indiana Pacers down to 14th is if the Golden State Warriors, the team with the smallest odds for a top 4 pick, manages to eke out an even bigger shocker than the Blue and Gould could possibly brew.
If so, Michigan’s Franz Wagner should be the main target. Most simulations have him from 10 to 20, but his skillset can easily catapult him to the top 10. His deft shooting touch, court awareness and basketball IQ are all easy fits with the Pacers’ newfound explosiveness and modernity on offense. He should thrive in the modern game seamlessly.
His defense is above-average, able to function as an on-ball or off-ball defender with his length and awareness. His steals and blocks numbers look promising, and as long as he adapts to the pace of the NBA with relative ease, he should fill in a lot of needs for the Indiana Pacers.