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.
NBA Draft Big Board for the Indiana Pacers (7-4)
7. Shaedon Sharpe, (SG)
Considered as one of the biggest gambles in the upcoming NBA Draft, Shaedon Sharpe could be the ultimate swing pick for the Indiana Pacers. He failed to log a minute for the Kentucky in the previous campaign, but his elite athleticism is more than enough for him to deserve a hard look from the Blue and Gold.
6. Bennedict Mathurin, Arizona (SG)
Arizona’s Bennedict Mathurin has a mature scoring profile who projects to be an NBA-ready, modern wing player right from the get-go. Boasting a solid three-point shot and a steady defensive game, he is one of the safest picks out there, one whose solid upside could ultimately entice the Pacers.
5. Keegan Murray, Iowa (PF)
One of the most dynamic forwards in the 2022 draft class, Keegan Murray remains a primary target for many teams outside the top-three. Inarguably the best forward aside from the consensus troika up top, Murray’s two-way play as a versatile scorer and defender should easily translate into the big league.
4. Jaden Ivey, Purdue (SG)
Jaden Ivey, the undisputable best backcourt cog in this draft, will be no ordinary consolation. While his draft stock isn’t as high as the prospects ahead of him, his explosive scoring ability alone makes him arguably one of, if not the best pure scorer in this draft. Any team who drafts him could be looking at a star for years to come.
NBA Draft Big Board for the Indiana Pacers (3-1)
3. Paolo Banchero, Duke (PF)
Under ordinary circumstances, Paolo Banchero would be the favorite to land at the foremost selection in the NBA Draft. While many favor the two ahead of him, the Duke standout is easily one of the most NBA-ready prospects out there, projecting to be a nightly double-double threat with little to no weaknesses in his game.
2. Chet Holmgren, Gonzaga (C)
There’s no doubt about it: Gonzaga alum Chet Holmgren boasts the highest upside among all rookies in the 2022 iteration of the draft. Bending the conventional parameters of the center position, Holmgren is an all-around menace whose game could peak at generational talent and whose floor remains at a lofty level.
1. Jabari Smith, Auburn (PF)
While Holmgren has the highest upside, Jabari Smith is the safest bet for teams in need of an immediate franchise cornerstone. Having shown shades of Kevin Durant, the Auburn product combines size with extraordinary shot-making ability and multipositional defense that should make him a perennial All-Star and an All-NBA level talent.