The 2022 NBA Draft is just less than a month away, and the Indiana Pacers, in possession of the sixth overall selection, will have a robust crop of rookies to choose from who can immediately contribute to their playoff pursuit in the 2022-23 season.
Mock drafts aside, the Pacers can go different ways in how they may want to approach the draft. They can always settle for the next best available talent to be safe, but they may also want to prioritize fit if the talent difference is not too wide. Even then, Indiana’s brass can decide to move up or down in the draft for a logical deal that could set them up better.
That being said, here is our updated NBA Draft Big Board for the Blue and Gold.
NBA Draft Big Board 2.0: Ranking the best prospects for the Indiana Pacers
10. Dyson Daniels, G-League (SG)
Owing to a strong G-League season and a great showing in the NBA Draft Combine, Dyson Daniels has quickly risen in various big boards, and is now considered by many to be a lock for the top-10. His outside shooting is quite suspect, but his unique blend of creative passing, steady on-ball defense, and size will be an easy fit to envision on most teams.
9. Jeremy Sochan, Baylor (PF)
Jeremy Sochan’s numbers do not jump off the page, but it would be a mistake to quantify his game on sheer figures. One of the most versatile prospects in the 2022 NBA Draft, the Baylor product is a great defensive piece who can play all frontcourt positions effectively while serving as a playmaking hub in spurts. The Pacers could take a look on him considering their utmost lack of passers in the frontcourt spots.
8. AJ Griffin, Duke (SF)
The Pacers have a thin small forward rotation, with only Oshae Brissett as their only option as currently constructed. Duke’s AJ Griffin could be a great option for them in this case with his two-way skillset, especially if they completely move on from TJ Warren.