The 2026 NBA Draft is still a handful of months away, but as it stands, the Indiana Pacers are in a good position to land a top pick in what most expect will be a loaded class.
There is a lot of talent in this year's draft, and there are numerous players who may have what it takes to be franchise players. And for a Pacers team that is one year removed from an NBA Finals appearance and should be in a good spot to get back to that point soon enough, this is exactly what they want to hear.
He may be out for the year due to an Achilles injury, but there is no doubt that Indiana's franchise player is Tyrese Haliburton. The Wisconsin native has established himself as one of the best guards in the league because of his elite facilitation, playmaking, and scoring.
With a unique opportunity to reshape their team and long-term outlook, if the Pacers can secure one of the top picks in this year's draft, they will be in a good spot (especially if they can draft someone who can fit well alongside their star guard.
Here are the five best prospects in this year's draft based on how much of an impact they can make alongside Haliburton.
5. G Kingston Flemings, Houston
Kingston Flemings is having a solid freshman year at Houston, averaging 15.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 51.9% from the field and 38.2% from deep.
Most consider Flemings to be the fifth-best player at most in this year's draft, and it's easy to see why. He has proven he can be great because of his playmaking, shooting, and explosiveness. Flemings plays with a ton of energy and is a downhill threat, which would make him a great fit in Indiana. He also has good size at 6-foot-3.
Flemings doesn't have as much raw talent as some of the guys ahead of him, which makes him a bit less appealing for the Pacers (not to mention that drafting a guard in the first round might not be in the team's best interest as they have other needs). Regardless, the Texas native is incredibly skilled and would be a solid complementary piece alongside Haliburton.
4. F Caleb Wilson, North Carolina
Heading into this season, this draft was widely looked at as a three-man draft. But given his play at UNC so far this year, Caleb Wilson is putting everyone else on notice.
Through 18 games, Wilson has averaged 19.7 points, 10.6 rebounds (which leads the ACC), 2.7 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks. He is also shooting 57.7% from the field.
The Georgia native has good size at 6-foot-10, and he has all the tools to be a menace at the NBA level. He is a fantastic defender with great agility, and he is a very tenacious rebounder and can be a legitimate paint presence on both sides of the ball.
Wilson's offense is still a bit inconsistent, and he isn't much of a perimeter shooter (he is shooting 23.5% from beyond the arc this season). However, the physical tools are there, and he is constantly improving his game.
Alongside a legitimate playmaker like Haliburton, Wilson's offense could see a big boost if he were to get drafted by the Pacers.
3. G Darryn Peterson, Kansas
Many consider Darryn Peterson the best player in this year's draft. At the very least, he is widely considered to be one of the three best ones.
The 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 21.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal through 10 games while shooting 49.3% from the field and 42% from beyond the arc. His ability to play both guard positions and score at a high level would make him a great player for the Pacers, especially as someone who can take a lot of pressure off Haliburton.
Peterson has missed a lot of time this season due to a lingering hamstring injury, which could be cause for concern. And his playmaking still leaves a lot to be desired. However, the Ohio native has a ton of talent and may have the most upside out of anybody else in the draft. If the Pacers secured him in this year's draft, their backcourt will be in a fantastic spot for years to come.
2. F Cam Boozer, Duke
From a strictly team-needs standpoint, Cam Boozer might be the best player for Indiana to draft. He is a fantastic rebounder who has solid size at 6-foot-9. Additionally, he can stretch the floor and has just about everything the Pacers are looking for.
This season, Boozer has averaged 23.2 points (most in the ACC), 9.9 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.8 steals while shooting 58.6% from the field and 37.7% from deep in 18 games.
The Florida native isn't super quick, and he has some defensive concerns, but many would still put him right at the top of this year's draft board. And having a player who can space the floor, use his physicality to his advantage, and do a bit of everything would certainly boost Indiana's frontcourt and give Haliburton another weapon.
1. F AJ Dybantsa, BYU
AJ Dybantsa has it all. He is a 6-foot-9 wing who can score, shoot, defend, and rebound, is incredibly versatile on both sides of the ball, is athletic, and has a ton of upside.
The Massachusetts native is having a fantastic season at BYU, averaging 22.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 54.7% from the field and 30.2% from deep.
Dybantsa is a capable shot-creator who would certainly take a lot of pressure off not just Haliburton, but Pascal Siakam as well. Additionally, having someone like Dybantsa on the team would be huge for Haliburton and the Pacers as someone else who can pull defenders away from his teammates as a scoring threat.
The 18-year-old could very well be the best and most complete player in this year's draft. And if the Pacers land the first overall pick, he could be on the top of their list.