There has been a lot of talk about who the Indiana Pacers should take in this year's draft if they get their first-round pick back (which they will if it lands in the top four). But the truth is, it doesn't matter. No matter who the Pacers get with their top-four pick (again, assuming it happens), they are getting a real game-changer who can make an impact in both the short- and long-term.
AJ Dybantsa. Cameron Boozer. Darryn Peterson. Caleb Wilson. These four are widely considered the best players in this year's draft, and all of them have a case to be the No. 1 overall pick. For one reason or another, all of these players have the potential to be All-NBA players, and it really doesn't matter who the Pacers end up with... adding any one of them is worthy of a celebration. And it will be a great help in their quest to get back to the finals.
The Pacers could get lucky in the 2026 NBA Draft
Obviously, a lot of lottery luck still needs to go in Indiana's favor. As it stands, the team has just a 52.1% chance of securing a top-four pick and ultimately getting their pick back. And because they finished with the second-worst record in the NBA (and not the worst), they can fall to the No. 6 spot instead of being capped at falling to the No. 5 spot.
It all essentially comes down to a coin flip for the Pacers whether or not they will be able to snag one of the top prospects in this year's draft. But if they do end up getting a top-four pick, then there's really no way for them to lose.
Dybantsa is an athletic freak who already does just about everything at a high level. And with his 6-foot-9 frame and seven-foot wingspan, he has the physical tools to be a high-level defender in the NBA. He is sort of a jack-of-all-trades (he is a bit inconsistent as a defender and is streaky from the perimeter), and he could help Indiana as an elite shot creator, a good playmaker for his position, and someone who plays with a ton of energy.
Peterson is easily the best shot creator in this draft and is a great three-level scorer (20.2 PPG, 43.8 FG%, 38.2 3FG% in his one season at Kansas). In a nutshell, he is sort of like the combo guard version of Bennedict Mathurin, only with better defense and more upside.
Boozer probably has the highest basketball IQ of anybody in this draft. He is a fantastic scorer, shooter, rebounder (he led the ACC in rebounds per game last season with 10.2), and playmaker, particularly for a big man. Though he has some valid concerns (athleticism, rim protection), he has a ton of potential and would be an incredible replacement for Pascal Siakam down the line.
Wilson is another athletic freak who plays with a high motor and is the best defensive prospect in the draft. His offense is still a work in progress (he shot just 25.9% from deep at UNC last season), but he is a fantastic defender and rebounder, which are two areas the Pacers desperately need help in.
All four of these players are fantastic, and it wouldn't be a shock if all of them become All-Stars and All-NBA players down the line. And for a Pacers team that is already looking to compete for a championship next season, every single one of them would make them even better than they already are.
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