Power ranking the top five draft scenarios for the Indiana Pacers

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 27: Moses Moody #5 of the Arkansas Razorbacks drives to the basket while guarded by Max Abmas #3 of the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles during the first half in the Sweet Sixteen round of the 2021 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 27, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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Ziaire Williams, Indiana Pacers Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4: The Indiana Pacers trade back in the draft

There have already been rumors that the Pacers have been in talks with other teams about potentially moving down from 13th and acquiring more draft picks. With a deep draft class set to take the stage, moving back and getting two first-round prospects rather than one would give the Pacers an extra chance to hit.

Given how unfortunate – or bad – the Pacers have been in recent drafts, taking two first-round talents could be worth the risk. There are plenty of talented options later in the first round that are good fits for Indiana currently, most notably Ziaire Williams.

Three teams currently hold two first-round picks after the Pacers and could look to move up. If the Pacers get an offer to slide back and their top targets are already off the board, they should move back and accrue more picks.

Indiana could target players like Chris Duarte, Cameron Thomas, or Joshua Primo in the back end of the first round without having to risk a “bust” label on a lottery pick. It would also make their draft picks cheaper, but having two of them would negate that effort regardless.

There are definitely enough players worth drafting later in the round that trading back would not be an automatic admission of not wanting to win right now. With a need at backup point guard, moving back for Sharife Cooper would be a smarter move than taking Davion Mitchell in the lottery.

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