Indiana Pacers Draft Review

Current Roster
PG: Monte Ellis/Edmond Sumner
SG: Lance Stephenson/Joe Young
SF: Paul George/Glenn Robinson III/Georges Niang
PF: Thaddeus Young/TJ Leaf/Rakeem Christmas
C: Myles Turner/Al Jefferson/Ike Anigbogu/Kevin Seraphin

2017 NBA Free Agents
Unrestricted
G Jeff Teague
G CJ Miles
C Lavoy Allen
G Aaron Brooks

Restricted
None

Who They Drafted
1-18 TJ Leaf, PF UCLA
2-47 Ike Anigbogu, C UCLA
2-52 Edmond Sumner, PG Xavier
It is difficult to evaluate how exactly the Pacers will look, due to the fact that Paul George and other pieces might be moved before the start of the season. The Pacers did take three risky prospects however, players that could hit and turn their future around, or miss and set them back even more. Their first rounder, TJ Leaf is a skilled offensive player that theoretically would be a nice fit in their frontcourt, though he'll need to work on several aspects of his game. Leaf made .466% of his threes last season, however it was only on 58 attempts and his free throw percentage was poor (.679%) for good shooter. I think it is safe to soon his is more of a 35%+ shooter than an elite one, however the rest of his offense plays, that should be enough. Though not particularly long, Leaf is bouncy and plays with aggression on offense, making him a good threat attacking the rim off a couple dribbles or in the screen-and-roll, though he isn't a great finisher yet. His biggest flash offensively is when he'll grab-and-go with a defensive rebound. He is also a solid passer, but none of his offensive skills really stand out one way or the other, he's just good at each and if one slips, particularly the shooting, it might be limiting to his game. Defensively, Leaf is a trainwreck and though he plays hard, he has a lot to learn and lacks special physical tools, which makes it questionable that he'll ever end up being even average defensively. On the glass, Leaf's activity makes him a good offensive rebounder but he is just about average a defensive rebounder. Theoretically, Leaf's shooting and passing would be a nice fit next to Myles Turner, who could also cover up some of his defensive liabilities. It would have been nice for the Pacers to draft a better defensive rebounder (such as John Collins) to play with Turner, who is poor in that area. This pick will make a lot more sense if the Pacers trade Thad Young, who is actually pretty similar to Leaf offensively, but a much better defender.
With their next pick, the Pacers drafted Leaf's college teammate, who most projected to go before him, but fell to concerns over a potential degenerative knee issue. If his health holds out, Anigbogu still has a ways to go before he'll be ready as a contributor, despite the fact that his physical abilities are NBA ready. Standing nearly 6-10 and a chiseled 252 pounds, Anigbogu has 7-6+ wingspan and 9-2+ standing reach, all great numbers for a big man. However, despite the fact that he moves well for his size and can really explode with a chance to load up, his vertical explosiveness leads something to be desired. Offensively, he is at his best grabbing rebounds and finishing lobs and drop-offs, but isn't going to score with any kind of range or create his own shot. Defensively, his ability to move and block shots give him a high upside. Normally, it would be weird for a team that has a future star at center to draft another big man that can't play alongside him, however in the second round when Anigbogu had fallen to them (and for injury, not on-court reasons) that is makes total sense. It was too good to pass up. At least if Anigbogu reaches his potential it will give the Pacers 48 quality minutes at center.
With their last second round pick, the Pacers took another injury risk in Edmond Sumner, who probably would have been an early second round pick if not for an serious knee injury that ended his Junior season. What makes the pick of Sumner especially risky is that almost all of his game is based of his athletic ability and any drop off in that regard could be devastating to his abilities. When healthy, Sumner was one of the best athletes in college basketball, making him a formidable threat attacking the basket and getting out in the open floor as a 6-6 combo guard. Sumner played point guard at Xavier, but isn't a natural playmaker or passer, projecting him as more of combo guard that can play a little point but is better off with another playmaker on the floor. The biggest question mark for Sumner is his shooting and finishing ability, as he struggled to score efficiently from everywhere on the floor and will need to get better across the board in order to make it in the NBA. If he can become stronger, Sumner could be a very good defensive player, capable of guarding multiple positions, again provided the athletic ability returns. In theory, Sumner makes sense with Monte Ellis, another combo guard, however Sumner would have to improve his shooting for that to work.

What They Need Going Forward
First things first, the Pacers need to get Paul George situation sorted out, which means taking the best offer available and moving on into a rebuild around Myles Turner and whatever pieces they get back. Not knowing what players they get, it is hard to project what extra moves they make. However, with George leaving it wouldn't make much sense for them to resign the 29 year-old Jeff Teague for any kind of long term deal, which means that they'll need a point guard, unless they get another one back in the trade, and even then they will. A Thad Young for Ricky Rubio swap would make a lot of sense for both teams and their years and money are about exactly even. Rubio is still fairly young and his passing ability and leadership skills would be ideal to mentor a young team.

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2015 Draft Review: Indiana Pacers

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: George Hill

SG: Monta Ellis/C.J. Miles/Joseph Young

SF: Paul George/Solomon Hill/Damjan Rudez

PF: ???

C: Roy Hibbert/Ian Mahinmi/Myles Turner

2015 Free Agents

F Chris Copeland (RFA)

C Shayne Whittington (RFA)

PF Lavoy Allen

PF Luis Scola

PG Donald Sloan

SG Rodney Stuckey

PG C.J. Watson

PF David West

What They Did On Draft Night
Drafted Texas center Myles Turner 11th overall
Five years ago, Indiana drafted an uber-talented prospect with some superficial, quantifiable concerns that caused him to be drafted tenth overall, nine picks after he should have been. Now Paul George is one of the best players in the NBA and Indiana looks poised to have similar success with Myles Turner. Roy Hibbert is on the way out by trade or free agency this summer or next, so center is a place of long-term need in Indiana. The Pacers want to play a faster, wide-open system of offense next season, which is something Turner should help them do, especially in comparison to Hibbert. Turner is knocked for his awkward running gait, but he isn't bad running the floor, and compared to slow-as-erosion Hibbert, Turner is Usain Boltian. This is upgrade in agility will also help Indiana's screen game be more effective because Turner, as the roll-man, will be more of a threat to score. Where Turner will really help Indiana open up their offense is with his ability to shoot, drawing the opposing center away from the basket and punishing smaller defenders that switch pick-and-pops by shooting right over them with an essentially unblockable jumper. Turner is a consistently good shooter from mid-range with no reason to suspect that within a year or two, he will be able to make threes. Defensively, Turner can't match peak-Hibbert level, but should be an above-average rim protector with more mobility defending on the perimeter. It may take a year or so for Turner to get acclimated to the league, he is just 19, but the reward of an above-average defensive center with floor spacing ability, is quite nice.

Drafted Oregon combo guard Joseph Young 43rd overall
Indiana's second round pick is more ready to contribute from day one, but obviously with less upside. Joseph Young is a pure-shooting combo guard that can really light up the scoreboard when he gets going. This kind of dynamic shooter/scorer is something that Indiana has lacked off their bench for a long time and should be a nice option when they need some spacing. The Pacers are a perfect landing spot for the 6-2 Young because of George Hill's ability to defend shooting guards, leaving the apposing point guard for Young to guard but without having to use him as a primary playmaker.

What To Do Next?
Trading Roy Hibbert for whatever they can get needs to be Indiana's top priority, not because Hibbert is a bad guy but because if he doesn't fit their current direction, giving him playing time will only serve to take minutes away from players that are their future and stall some the development of cohesiveness. Indiana simply cannot play the style they want with Hibbert on the floor. Another benefit to dealing Hibbert is hopefully creating some cap space to upgrade their roster. Stretching his contract is also another option. A power forward such as Darrell Arthur would be an option to fill that hole. Even though he is a restricted free agent, Tobias Harris could make a devastation interchangeable forward combination with Paul George. Another potential way to fill the hole at power forward is to move Paul George there and sign a wing to move into that spot.

A bonus trade sure to never happen
Hibbert to Boston for a first round pick (or Gerald Wallace)
OR
Hibbert to Portland for Chris Kamen and Gerald Henderson

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2015 Draft Preview: Indiana Pacers

2015-16 Depth Chart

PG: George Hill

SG: C.J. Miles

SF: Paul George/Solomon Hill/Damjan Rudez

PF: ???

C: Ian Mahinmi

2015 Free Agents

F Chris Copeland (RFA)

C Shayne Whittington (RFA)

PF Lavoy Allen

C Roy Hibbert (player option)

PF Luis Scola

PG Donald Sloan

SG Rodney Stuckey

PG C.J. Watson

PF David West (player option)

2015 Draft Picks

1-11

2-13(43)

Team Needs

Indiana's needs will change dramatically depending on which of their free agents re-sign or opt-in. The Pacers reportedly want to play more of an up-and-down wide open offense, so they are probably hoping Roy Hibbert and David West elect for free agency, but that isn't very likely. Assuming they do return, it still leaves some holes, particularly in the backcourt. George Hill took a big step forward last season and can play either guard spot, allowing for some creativity with lineups and player acquisitions. A playmaking guard that can handle the ball and a create without being a disaster of a shooter like Rodney Stuckey would really help open up their offense. Likewise, a knockdown shooter at shooting guard would really help with spacing. Another option to create space would be moving Paul George to power forward more often and slotting in a scoring wing player into the small forward position. Because both Hibbert and West will likely be gone by next season at the latest, a long-term replacement will be needed at center. 

Potential Fits

If Indiana is looking for a guard to play alongside Hill, they have a number of different flavors to choose from. If they are looking for a point guard and want to move Hill permanently to shooting guard, Murray State's Cameron Payne would fit. Payne, whom the Pacers have shown interest in, is a good shooter and playmaker, but is on the smaller size and lacks defensive versatility. Notre Dame's Jerian Grant does have the size and athletic ability to defend shooting guards and is a tremendous offensive creator, but isn't quite the shooter that Payne is. Neither Payne nor Grant's jumper matches up with Kentucky shooting guard Devin Booker's shot, but he is an off-ball player only and wouldn't take much of the playmaking duties from Hill. If Indiana is looking for more of a wing player, Kansas' Kelly Oubre would be an ideal fit to expand their offense and not hurt their perimeter defense. Texas big man Myles Turner wouldn't necessarily play a huge role next season, but he could be an excellent long-term replacement for Hibbert because of his ability to protect the rim and make outside shots. Wisconsin big man Frank Kaminsky would definitely open up their offense more with his shooting and ball skills, but would be more of a West replacement than a center, and I get the feeling Indiana likes the idea of George as a power forward.  

Mock Draft 

11. Kelly Oubre, SF, Kansas

43. Mouhammadou Jaiteh, C, Nanterre

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NBA Draft: Noah Vonleh Scouting Report

Measurements

Age: 18; Height: 6-10; Weight: 240; Wingspan: 7-4; Reach: 8-10

Season Stats (as of 2/16)

25.8 mpg, 11.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 0.5 apg, 0.9 spg, 1.3 bpg, 2.3 tpg, 2.7 fpg, .540 FG, .720 FT, .542 3P

Strengths

-Excellent size, length, reach, build, and frame

-Tremendous growth potential

-Doesn't turn 18 until August 24th

-Good athlete for his size

-Excellent mobility and fluidity

-Runs the floor well

-Good finisher around the rim

-Flashes of a post game

-Rapidly improving jump shooter

-Potentially versatile pick-and-roll player and stretch 4/5

-Draws fouls, converts at the line

-High offensive upside

-Excellent defensive potential

-Length and mobility a real asset defensively

-Physical on the interior, hard to move

-Plays very strong and physical on both ends
-Excellent rebounder on both ends

-Awesome motor

Weaknesses
-Not an overly explosive leaper
-Relies more on length than vertical
-Offense mostly projection
-Not a dominant scorer right now
-Needs to improve ball-handling
-Still learning as a ball mover, turnover prone
-Poor 0.22 A/TO ratio
-Youth can have a downside as well
-Questions about his true position

NBA Comparison

Al Horford has great size, length, athleticism, and skill for a power forward, yet has played center at a high level for much of his career. Vonleh isn't quite the athlete or up to Horford's skill level yet, but he is longer and bigger at this stage in his career. If Vonleh's jump shot continues to develop, he could have a similar impact on both ends as Horford at both power forward or possibly center.

Draft Projection
Vonleh isn't as high profile as the other big time Freshman , but if he declares the draft process should be very kind to him. There's a chance he challenges Julius Randle, but must likely he will be battling with Aaron Gordon to be the second power forward drafted and land somewhere in the mid-to-end of the top 10. 

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