NBA Rumors: Pacers may have first-round agreement with prospect

The Pacers have one of the biggest summers in franchise history ahead of them in the coming weeks. The biggest need on the roster is for a power forward, and even a small forward, to be able to come in and lock down the starting roles. It sounds like the Pacers have maybe already identified one of the players they are interested in drafting later in the first round.

RookieWire, an extension of USA Today Sports, has written that the Pacers may have already made an agreement with Bobi Klintman in terms of first-round drafting. Many were confused last week when Klintman pulled out of the draft combine.

This left many wondering if he had gotten feedback from a team already, and USA Today’s report suggests that this was likely the Pacers. So how does Klintman fit in with the team?

Klintman would be an excellent upside pick in the late first round that plays a position of need.

While we don’t know exactly if the Pacers have made any promises or been in contact with Klintman, it would make sense if they have. He is largely seen as a high-upside player and one that would make sense to take in the later parts of the first-round where the Pacers will be very prevalent. For Wake Forest this year he averaged: five points, five rebounds, one assits, on 40% FG and 37% FG3. NBA comparisons from the Ringer have him similar to Nicolas Batum, with good shooting ability from deep for his size as well as defensive prowress.

Ultimately, even if the Pacers did make a promise, they may not have to keep it given that some mock drafts have Klintman going as high as fifteen in the first round, and the Pacers aren’t going to take him with number seven. He may be long off the board by the time the Pacers come back around to drafting again.

Other draft coverage from @8pts9secs

• Pacers’ GM gives hints as to team strategy in the NBA draft
• NBA Draft: Why the Pacers’ scored big in lottery loss
• NBA Draft: Indiana Pacers announce surprising pre-draft workouts