Pre-Draft Outlook
The Pacers might be drafting with house money, based on holding the No. 23 pick while advancing in the playoffs beyond what their No. 4 seed in the East might have suggested. This roster is one of the league’s deepest, with 10-12 players in defined roles, good versatility and a challenge for any rookie who hopes to carve out playing time. Only backup point guard T.J. McConnell (33) and forward Pascal Siakam (31) are over 30 years old among the rotation players.
The Way To Go
Finding a role player at No. 54 won’t be easy, but Indiana has found second-round success in the past. With Myles Turner, Tony Bradley and Thomas Bryant both heading into free-agent offseasons, it might be time to start grooming a young big. They will likely rely on the free-agent market to address the guard position, considering the injury to Tyrese Haliburton and age of backup T.J. McConnell.
— Steve Aschburner
Here’s a quick look at Indiana’s current roster entering the Draft:
Under Contract
G: RayJ Dennis
G: Johnny Furphy
G: Tyrese Haliburton
G: T.J. McConnell
G: Ben Sheppard
G/F: Bennedict Mathurin
G/F: Andrew Nembhard
G/F: Aaron Nesmith
F: Obi Toppin
F: Jarace Walker
F: Pascal Siakam
Free Agents
G: Quenton Jackson
F: Enrique Freeman
F: Isaiah Jackson
F: James Johnson
C/F: Tony Bradley
C/F: Thomas Bryant
C/F: Myles Turner