Pacers coach says they won't be able to draft Bronny James

The Indiana Pacers traded away three first-round picks in order to trade for Pascal Siakam. Two of those first-round picks were in this year's Draft. The other one is in the 2026 Draft. Because of that, Indiana won't be participating in the first day of the draft this year.

However, the Pacers do have three second-round picks. They won't be sitting the Draft out completely. They have been hosting several prospects for workouts since they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals. We now know they won't be drafting one certain prospect.

There has been one draft prospect who has been the talk of the draft despite not being even a top-ten talent. That player is Bronny James. He's projected to be a second-round pick. It sounds like the Pacers won't be taking him based on recent comments from Rick Carlisle.

The Pacers likely won't be drafting Bronny James according to Rick Carlisle

While appearing on Green Light with Chris Long, Rick Carlisle was asked about the prospect of drafting Bronny since they have so many second-round picks. Carlisle threw cold water on that idea, implying that he will be gone by the time the Pacers have their first second-round pick.

""Well, I'm going to go out on a limb here and predict that he goes quite a bit higher than that…I'm not going to say who…I've been fined enough this year during the playoffs." "

- Rick Carlisle

It doesn't look like the Pacers will be bringing him in for a workout then. I also expect Bronny to be drafted before the Pacers have an opportunity to take him. It's likely the Lakers trade up in the second round to take him so that he can play with his father, which actually would be cool.

James' ceiling isn't very high. He's not a very big player and his offensive skillset isn't that varied. It doesn't seem like Indiana is going to be missing much by not taking him.