The 2022 NBA Draft Lottery is just a flick away, and the Indiana Pacers have to be thrilled about their chances as they are guaranteed to finish with a top-nine selection for the first time in over 30 years.
Better yet, this upcoming draft is filled with high-ceiling prospects who fill positions of need for the Blue and Gold. Nothing is guaranteed of course, but the ping-pong balls are likely to be more favorable to the Pacers this time after the team posted one of their worst regular season finishes in franchise history.
That being said, after three mock drafts, here is our look at the NBA Draft Big Board for the Pacers as they head to a climactic draft lottery.
NBA Draft Big Board: Who should the primary target be for the Indiana Pacers?
10. Jeremy Sochan, Baylor (SF/PF)
Jeremy Sochan is one hell of a scrapper. Particularly active on defense, the 6’9 forward is a solid athlete who should thrive on the break. While he’s not the best perimeter threat out there, he makes up for it with a versatile scoring profile.
9. Tari Eason, LSU (PF)
Draft forecasts for Tari Eason have wildly varied, but I have him sitting at ninth in the Indiana Pacers’ Big Board. His shooting is still a work in progress, but his upside as a defender, scorer, as well as his above average court awareness makes him a good fit for the team should they crash in the lottery.
8. Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona (SG)
Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin is an athletic swingman who can be a radioactive scorer. His shooting and ball handling are very solid for his stature, and while he can be quite streaky, his upside as a scorer is worth looking out for.
7. AJ Griffin, Duke (SF)
One of the best shooters in this draft class, Duke’s AJ Griffin is an athletic wing who can also defend multiple positions with ease. Probably the quintessential 3-and-D type in the upcoming draft, Griffin seems to be a perfect fit for many teams in the lottery.