NBA Draft: All-time Pacers draft bust starting lineup
By Joe Lyon
A guard that didn’t even stay in the NBA after leaving the Pacers
George McCloud was one of the highest draft picks in Pacers history at the 7th pick in the draft. Prior to Bennedict Mathurin this prior draft, it had been over 30 years since the Pacers had picked that high. And while Mathurin is looking like a homerun, McCloud was exactly the opposite.
He played four seasons in Indiana, never averaging more than 7 points per game. For someone who had the ball alot, he also only averaged just over 2 assists in his time in Indiana. And while for a bottom of the barrel role player that may be acceptable, for a top 10 pick in the draft it was far less than what was expected.
After his four years McCloud didn’t even get another contract in the NBA for the following season and had to go play in Italy. And while McCloud eventually found his way back into the NBA (he even averaged 18 points per game for Dallas one year), he was certainly one of the biggest draft busts in Pacers draft history.