With the 54th pick of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers drafted Liberty guard Taelon Peter, and fans are already confused about the pick. Unlike the Kam Jones pick, which was mostly met with praise and excitement, the same cannot be said about Peter for three reasons: he was mostly projected to go undrafted, he does not fit a need, and he is not Ryan Nembhard, who ended up with the Dallas Mavericks.
A lot of Pacers fans wanted the team to draft Nembhard, the brother of Andrew, not just because of his relation to the team, but also because he could fill a need with Tyrese Haliburton likely being out for the entirety of next season.
Many fans also expected that the Pacers would draft a center (or at least a legitimate rebounding threat), especially given their uncertainty at the position. Additionally, most outlets did not have Peter on their Big Board, making this an even more interesting decision for the team.
Ultimately, it is too soon to pass judgment on this pick, especially before Peter officially makes his debut. However, as it stands, there are reasons for Pacers fans to question the selection. Hopefully for the team, the Liberty product will silence his doubters and prove to be another diamond in the rough for Indiana.
Taelon Peter possesses value, even if the selection was questionable
To say Peter was an outright horrible pick would not be fair. Last season, he averaged 13.7 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist while shooting 57.8% from the field and 45.3% from beyond the arc. Additionally, he led the NCAA in 2FG% (75.6%) and TPS% (72.4%).
Interestingly, Peter started just two games throughout his 41-game collegiate career, which also raises some concerns about how much he will be able to contribute to Indiana, especially right away given that he is 23 years old and does not have a high ceiling. This will be something to keep in mind throughout his time with the Pacers.
There are reasons to like the Peter selection for the Pacers. He was a sharpshooter in college, which is a useful trait that always bodes well in the NBA if that translates for him, and he was one of the final picks in the draft anyway. However, especially considering that the Pacers already landed another guard in the draft in Jones, it is fair to wonder why the team did not address one of their bigger needs, particularly by adding another big man.
It remains to be seen how big a role Peter will have with the team during his rookie season. As it stands, it seems unlikely he will be able to carve out a big role right away, especially following the selection of Jones, who should have a bigger opportunity to contribute immediately. Still, Peter remains a player Pacers fans will want to keep an eye on. If he pans out, this will turn out to be a fantastic move for Indiana. However, if he does not, this move could age poorly for the Pacers as they look to remain in title contention.