The Indiana Pacers are slated to pick sixth in this year’s NBA draft. After sifting through many different mock drafts, Ben Mathurin could make his way to the Pacers’ board if they remain with pick No. 6.
Ben Mathurin had an impressive workout in the late days of May, are the Indiana Pacers in the running for him for the 2022 NBA draft?
I have seen Ben Mathurin frequently mocked in the 8-12 range in the various mock drafts I’ve seen. However, after this Pro Day workout scouts seem to be a bit higher on Mathurin than previously thought.
Footage from Ben Mathurin's Pro Day in Santa Barbara. The 6'6, 19-year old Canadian showed off his deep shooting range and explosive finishing ability in front of representatives from all 30 NBA teams. pic.twitter.com/YkvD0ZL2QT
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 26, 2022
The latest mock draft from CBS Sports has Mathurin now going fifth to the Detroit Pistons. One Pistons beat writer from the Athletic details what a Detroit draft room would look like in his opinion.
"“Everything I’ve heard is that several decision-makers in the Pistons’ front office really like Murray. The same goes for Mathurin. Ivey is the prospect I’ve heard mixed reviews about.”“If I had to rank these prospects for Detroit, I’d go Murray, Mathurin/Sharpe and then Ivey…This is how I see the current big board, based on conversations over the past few weeks and months.”"
This is interesting from the Detroit point of view because the more I watch Mathurin the more teams I think he can fit on. The Pistons would be one of those teams. This quote is also interesting because if you assume the top four draft picks are Jabari Smith, Chet Holmgren, Paolo Banchero, and Jaden Ivey, the Pacers might be holding their breath as Detroit makes their pick.
If the draft shakes out to where the Kings take Keegan Murray instead of Jaden Ivey, it sounds like Mathurin would be next on Detroit’s board, not Ivey. Both scenarios would be wins for the Pacers in my opinion.
Mathurin is taller at 6’7” and would better play the three which would fit the Pacers’ young core. However if Mathurin is taken by Detroit as this reporter suggests, the Pacers get to draft the hometown kid that is Jaden Ivey, who stands at 6’4”.
Mathurin’s shooting is an exciting factor in his game and what he could bring to the Pacers. On 6.1 attempts a game, he shot 36% from behind the arc and his shot looks pretty. Mathurin is a consensus All-American along with many PAC-12 honors in his time at Arizona.
The other option that could play out aside from the set-top three I believe, is Sharpe going up to the Kings where the Pistons have the pick between Ivey and Mathurin and if the reporting plays out that way, Mathurin may go ahead of Ivey to Detroit.
It is a good problem for the Pacers to have, as fans would be happy with either selection it seems. What Indiana doesn’t want to happen is Ivey going 4th overall and the Pistons deciding on Mathurin over Murry even though it was reported that the Pistons front office is higher on Murray at the moment.
I personally believe that Mathurin will be there at six for the Indiana Pacers and will be an option for them to select if they so choose. Unless Shaedon Sharpe really intrigues the Pistons, I don’t see Ivey falling to six along with Mathurin.
The NBA draft will take place on June 23rd which is closing in fast. Hopefully, it will be an easy draft night for Indiana, but something tells me the Pacers are going to be rather busy in late June.