The injury-ravaged Indiana Pacers struggled mightily in the first month of the NBA season, leaving them with one of the league’s worst records. A lot could change the rest of the way, but they’re in draft lottery position at the moment. Their win projection, according to BetOnline, has dropped from 37.5 to 24.5; the biggest drop in the league.
If they wind up with an early draft pick, they could get an opportunity to select BYU’s A.J. Dybantsa, Duke‘s Cameron Boozer or Kansas’ Darryn Peterson, who are considered a level above other potential draft prospects.
NBA mock draft: Indiana Pacers projected to pick A.J. Dybantsa or Cameron Boozer
“He’s still clearly at his best in attack mode using his frame, extension and coordination. He’s overpowering on drives. The mid-range footwork and perimeter footwork are sharp for creating space, while his positional size and release point contribute to uncontested looks.
“High-level shotmaking skills have always been evident, and we’re consistently seeing Dybantsa knock down fallaways and pull-ups.
“His handle in tight spaces could improve, and we’ve yet to see many signs of off-ball scoring, as almost every point he’s generated has been in ball-screen, isolation, post-up or transition situations.
“Tough shot selection, decision-making and 3-point shooting are the only question marks that could turn scouts off when assessing Dybantsa versus Darryn Peterson and Cameron Boozer.”
“He’s averaging 22.9 points, 9.8 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.1 blocks per game, and that still doesn’t quite speak to the level of feel and high-IQ that he brings to the court every second he’s on it.
“Boozer is clean fit nearly anywhere, but especially for the high-octane Pacers, who lost Myles Turner in the offseason, and could really use a high-feel front-court boost next to Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.”
“He’s built like a prototype wing for the modern NBA and Dybantsa, the 6-foot-9 freshman, would thrive in Indiana’s controlled chaos offense. Dybantsa plays above the rim and is an explosive athlete who attacks the basket. His game is fluid and polished, and he would bolster a solid, young core for the Pacers, who could return to championship contention next season, when fully healthy.”
“I think Boozer has something close to a supercomputer brain that he uses to consistently find advantages in the halfcourt. He can play bully ball with his 250-pound frame just as easily as he can drive-and-kick or sink a 3-pointer. He’s going to be a high-level passer as a halfcourt hub, and he’s showing he knows how to avoid turnovers. Boozer is going to be a major plus in transition with his outlet passing and his rumbles to the rim. He’s doesn’t wow you with size or athleticism, but he’s solid enough in both areas while also being one of younger players in the class with plenty of room for development. His defense is more of a question mark, and it’s likely he doesn’t sniff No. 1 without a super hot shooting season which hasn’t happened yet. Maybe Darryn Peterson is destined to be the first pick regardless of which team wins the lottery, but I still give Boozer the slightest of edges in the race for No. 1. I’ll admit that it’s much more likely Boozer goes No. 3 than No. 1 in the actual draft, and I may move off this position eventually, but it’s still too early.”
Dustin Dopirak covers the Pacers all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Pacers Insider newsletter.