NBA Draft: Detailed mock explains how Haliburton could find co-star
By Joe Lyon
With the 26th pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers select…..Dariq Whitehead, guard, from Duke University.
This pick is a large bet on the upside that could be Dariq Whitehead, a great recruit out of high school that hasn’t quite had the season he might have hoped for at Duke and has had his time sidelined by injuries. However, his upside could be game changing.
At Duke, Dariq has averaged 8 points and 1 assist on over 40% shooting from deep. And the Ringer believe there may be quite a bit of his game yet to be unlocked:
"Tough shotmaker off the dribble in high school who is just beginning to see his success translate to Duke. He’s most comfortable pulling up from midrange, and he features a good right-to-left stepback jumper."
And even though the Pacers have quite a few two-guards already, Dariq may have the upside that still warrants a team potentially taking an early gamble on him.
Dariq Whitehead finding consistency makes Duke one of the most dangerous teams in the country. pic.twitter.com/S5kqr30nbp
— Duke Opinions (@DukeOpinions) March 11, 2023
We feel a little conflicted on the pick, but believe that many are undervaluing Whitehead. If he’s available here, the Pacers should likely take the bait.