Can a rookie start for the Indiana Pacers next season?

With a lottery pick likely heading to the Indiana Pacers this week, can the team expect a newcomer to start right away? Indiana is notorious for sitting rookies and other young players in recent years, partially thanks to their deep roster with key veterans across the rotation. Will next year be any different?

The Pacers are in a unique spot by their own standards and the 13th overall pick, if they keep it, could land a future star in Indiana. However, even with a high draft spot dedicated to a rookie, it seems far-fetched that said rookie could crack the starting lineup consistently in his first season.

Will the Indiana Pacers start a rookie in 2021-22?

The simple answer here is no. Indiana should retain Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, and T.J. Warren. If they keep both centers, then the starting five will be the same as it was heading into last season.

Hypothetically, even if the Pacers do trade one of the centers, drafting a center to replace him would not indicate a starting spot for the rookie. Given the desire to move away from two starting centers, drafting another to start would not make much sense.

Considering the rise of Oshae Brissett and the potential return of Doug McDermott in free agency, there are enough options to compete for the starting spot in the case of a trade. Not to mention Justin Holiday has been no stranger to joining the starting lineup when injuries strike the roster.

The only potential draft pick that I think could make the starting lineup right away would be Moses Moody thanks to his two-way upside. Even then, his path to a starting spot is not easy. It would require the Pacers to trade one of their centers, let Doug McDermott walk in free agency, and see enough in Moody to warrant starting him over Justin Holiday and Oshae Brissett.

I do think, however, that this year’s rookie draft pick will make an immediate impact unlike others have done in the past. There is a need in the second unit at all three levels for the Pacers so a young player has a chance to be an important piece next season. They just have to find the right player to put in a position to succeed.