Ladies and gentlemen, the 2023 NBA Draft Lottery is in the books, and with it, the Indiana Pacers’ fate on draft night is a little clearer. About a month ago, I gave 3 scenarios for the Pacers’ offseason, in which I listed the realistic scenario being that the Pacers would be awarded the 7th or 8th pick in the draft. Well, after a rocky season containing ups, downs, and injuries alike, the Indiana Pacers have been rewarded with the 7th pick in the draft, which was no surprise given their draft odds, however, they are probably thrilled that they did not end up with the 8th pick, of which they had a 35.61% chance of obtaining.
NBA Draft Lottery is tonight with all eyes on the No. 1 pick for Victor Wembanyama.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) May 16, 2023
- Pacers have the 7th-best odds
- 6.8% chance for No. 1
- Best odds to be 8th (35.61%)https://t.co/khImDRAHKe pic.twitter.com/C2Bp1CUHAm
Side note, for the last 4 years, the team with the 7th best odds has consistently moved up in the draft. That streak has been broken this year when the Indiana Pacers owned those odds. Just another small tidbit that I’m sure Pacers fans will love!
As we all know, the NBA Draft Lottery is unpredictable. However, for reference, here’s the spots where teams have jumped into the top four picks since odds were flattened out:
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) May 16, 2023
2019 = No. 7 to No. 1 (Pelicans), No. 8 to No. 2 (Grizzlies), No. 11 to No. 4 (Lakers)
2020 = No. 8 to…
With that being said, I can’t really find myself complaining too much, since the Pacers thankfully didn’t fall in the lottery and are also getting picks 26 (Cavaliers trade), 29 (Celtics trade), and 32 (Rockets trade).
Most of all, we have to be thankful that we are not the Detroit Pistons on this fateful night.
The last two years 4 of the 6 teams that had the best chance at the #1 pick received a top 3 selection. The Pistons are each of the other two
— Colston Connoisseur (@UMvsEveryone) May 17, 2023
With the Pacers’ lottery position revealed, there has already been speculation as to who the best pick would be for the team, and whether they want to be competitive immediately, or take a longer-term prospect that perhaps won’t be as good in his first year or 2. I will be talking briefly about the 3 most discussed potential Pacers draft picks, those being Jarace Walker, Cam Whitmore, and Taylor Hendricks. So without further ado, let’s get into it!