NBA mock drafts: Pacers may target backcourt depth with No. 23 pick
The NBA draft lottery was Tuesday night, and while the Indiana Pacers weren't anywhere near the lottery, it's a reminder the draft isn't too far away.
Already armed with a young, blossoming core, the Pacers own the 23rd pick in the June 21 draft.
The Pacers picked 23rd in the 2013 draft and took Solomon Hill out of Arizona. Some of the more recent No. 23 picks to make an impact are: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (2015), Rodney Hood (2014), Trevor Booker (2010), Nikola Mirotic (2011), Wilson Chandler (2007) and Tayshaun Prince (2002).
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Indiana's OG Anunoby was picked 23rd by Toronto last year and put together one of the better rookie seasons. His VORP (value over replacement player) was sixth best among all rookies.
So there's some value to be found there.
Here's a mock draft roundup and potential fits for Pacers at No. 23.
► ESPN.com's Jonathan Givony believes Creighton guard Khyri Thomas will be the pick.
"Unless a major upgrade at point guard presents itself, shooting and depth at the wing/combo forward spots will likely be priorities for the Pacers.
"Thomas is one of the better defenders in college basketball, capable of guarding three positions with his 6-11 wingspan. He's also a willing ball-mover and a promising spot-up shooter and has exactly the type of grit and unselfishness the NBA covets in role players."
► The Sporting News also tabs Creighton's Thomas as the pick at No. 23:
"Indiana could target Thomas, a 3-and-D shooting guard who could compliment the Pacers’ backcourt in a variety of lineups. The 21-year-old possesses a 6-10 wingspan that makes him a much more versatile defender than his height would suggest. He’s also a career 40.6 percent 3-point shooter."
► The Ringer stays in the backcourt with UCLA point guard Aaron Holiday.
"A spark-plug scoring guard who projects as a backup due to his lack of speed and explosiveness.
"Shades Of: Brandon Knight, Trey Burke, T.J. Ford."
► NBADraft.net goes with Dzanan Musa out of Bosnia & Herzegovina.
"Dzanan Musa is one of the best scorers of his generation in Europe if not the best. His ability to score is uncanny and he has already proved it's his most translatable skill at the next level, along with his ability to play multiple positions. For him to play at the next level though he has to bulk up his body considerably, learn how to control his emotions and improve his motor on defense."
— NBADraft.net's Stefanos Makris
► CBS Sports' Gary Parrish goes with Anfernee Simons out of the IMG Academy.
"Simons was a consensus top-10 prospect in the Class of 2018 who is eligible for the 2018 NBA Draft only because he's one year removed from high school graduation and will turn 19 this calendar year. The 6-4 combo guard out of IMG Academy in Florida is a nice athlete who shoots it well. He probably won't help anybody, the Pacers included, as a rookie. But Simons' long-term future is bright."
► SI.com's Jeremy Woo's mock draft is a month old, but he went with Boston College guard Jerome Robinson.
"Robinson, who was the ACC’s top scoring guard, creates well off the dribble and can put the ball in the basket from all three levels. He plays with a unique change of speeds off the bounce, and would add a different dimension to the Pacers’ backcourt. His intangibles and ability to play on and off the ball are appealing, though he may have challenges defensively at the NBA level. He’s not a major upside pick, but has a good amount to offer a team looking for a more mature backcourt piece in the middle of the draft."
► Basketball Insiders thinks Villanova point guard Jalen Brunson is a good fit.
► Bleacher Report also believes the Pacers will look for backcourt help, and gives the Pacers De'Anthony Melton, a guard out of USC.
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