If the Indiana Pacers end up with the No. 1 overall pick in this year's draft, they must draft BYU forward AJ Dybantsa. He would be the safest pick for them, and he would have the best chance of making an immediate impact out of all the other top guys in the draft (Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson).
This year's draft is expected to be a loaded one, and Indiana is in a good spot to secure its first-ever No. 1 overall pick.
With roughly a month left in the season, the Pacers are currently 15-49 and are just 0.5 games ahead of the Sacramento Kings, who own the worst record in the NBA. According to Tankathon.com, Indiana has a 52.1% chance of landing a top-four pick in this year's draft and a 14% chance of getting the first overall pick.
For many teams, securing the top pick is a necessity to succeed in the future. For the Pacers, it would just be the cherry on top.
They already have a fantastic team even as it is, and with Tyrese Haliburton coming back and Ivica Zubac now in the mix for next season, they should be able to compete for a championship once again.
Even so, landing one of the top players in this year's draft would be a huge boost for the Pacers. And if they have their say, they should absolutely draft Dybantsa.
The Pacers should draft AJ Dybantsa if they get the No. 1 overall pick
Truth be told, you can't go wrong with any of the top players in this year's draft. Peterson can be an elite shot-creator at the NBA level. Boozer has an insanely high basketball IQ and can do a bit of everything (especially on the offensive side of the ball). And Wilson is just a freak of an athlete.
But Dybantsa specifically would be the dream draft target for Indiana. There are some concerns about his game (like his three-point shot as he is currently shooting just 33.9% from deep). But he has very few flaws and is easily the most well-rounded prospect in the draft.
The Massachusetts native is currently averaging 24.7 points (which leads all of men's Division I), 6.7 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 51.2% from the field in 31 games.
Dybantsa is an incredible athlete who provides a ton of two-way value. He is a fantastic shot-creator and is a legitimate threat to score from anywhere, especially inside the arc. He is a good passer, especially for a wing, and he has the tools to be an elite defender in the NBA because of his 6-foot-9 frame and 6-foot-11 wingspan.
In the modern NBA, having a ball-dominant wing is vital. And after the Pacers traded theirs away to the Los Angeles Clippers last month, they are in need of another. Only this time, it would be a big upgrade and would likely extend their championship window (and this is coming from someone who was a big Bennedict Mathurin guy).
Plus, the 19-year-old would be a great fit in Indiana as someone who can take a lot of pressure off of guys like Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. (Not to mention he would also be a legitimate candidate to eventually replace Aaron Nesmith in the starting lineup).
Dybansta is the complete package and has all the upside in the world. The Pacers would be lucky to get any of the top players in this year's draft, but they would probably be just a tad bit happier if they were able to get the BYU forward on their team.