Indiana Pacers: Grading the team’s 2022 NBA Draft picks

Grading the Indiana Pacers’ 2022 NBA Draft picks: Andrew Nembhard

With the 31st pick in the second round, the Indiana Pacers zoomed in on Gonzaga product Andrew Nembhard and eventually selected the rookie point guard.

The move came as a surprise for many, but for reasons of fit. With the Pacers already facing a logjam in the backcourt positions, adding another guard to the fold seemed counterintuitive, though this selection may have been done as a prelude to other offseason moves.

Following this pick, Indiana is a near-guarantee to indeed trade Malcolm Brogdon. However, with that already being the case even prior to the draft, lesser trade priorities like Buddy Hield and also TJ McConnell may be on the move as there is simply to many mouths to feed as things currently stand in the guard spots. If all these transpire, then this pick could pay dividends.

Nevertheless, while the Pacers would have been better off selecting a big wing or a frontcourt piece, Nembhard is one of the best playmakers in the 2022 draft class.  Especially dangerous in the pick-and-roll game, he has a knack for reading the lanes and racking up steals as a lanky point guard. His three-point shot is a nice boost as well, especially with Indiana registering a mediocre three-point shooting campaign last season.

Grade: C