Indiana should look for a point guard or power forward with the 11th pick.
The Pacers are in an interesting position this offseason. They were without Paul George for virtually the entire 2014-15 season, yet somehow managed to barely miss out on the playoffs. However, when you look at this roster it lacks the “pop” that Pacers teams’ from the past few seasons had.
George Hill just had the best season of his career playing point guard for the Pacers, leading the team in scoring, assists, and steals. Hill is absolutely a quality starting point guard, but don’t be surprised if the Pacers elect to use this pick on Murray State’s Cameron Payne anyways.
Very few prospects have risen over the past few months like Payne, and now the consensus is that he’s the second best point guard in the draft behind only Emmanuel Mudiay. Some have even linked Payne going as high as sixth to Sacramento. On the offensive end Payne oozes potential as a playmaker. He can score in a variety of ways and is a slick passer.
If the Pacers elect to pick Payne they can spend start him off as George Hill’s backup. Hill only has two years left on his contract, so you can let him sit and learn a little bit and groom him to be your point guard of the future. The Pacers could really use a young player with big potential on offense so if they stay put with the 11th pick Payne seems like a good fit.
At shooting guard the Pacers have an average tandem of C.J. Miles and Rodney Stuckey competing for time. Both of these players are solid, but it sure wouldn’t be hard to find an upgrade here. Don’t be shocked if the Pacers take a look at Devin Booker here. The sharp-shooting Booker could one day develop into the ideal partner on the wing beside Paul George.
Roy Hibbert, David West and Luis Scola again led the Pacers frontcourt last season. Hibbert had another average season posting around 10 points and 7 boards per game. However there have been rumors that Larry Bird is in love with Kentucky’s Willie Cauley-Stein. There’s almost no way Stein will be available at 11, so if the Pacers want him they’re going to have to move up for him.
This could place Roy Hibbert on the trading block. The Knicks and Kings are two teams who are looking for a big man, at least one of them could be willing to move down a few selections to add an established big in Roy Hibbert. I think the Kings especially would entertain a move like this. They could bring Hibbert into the fold and still possibly nab Payne with the 11th selection (assuming it was included in the package).
If any team is going to make a big jump on draft day I could see it being the Pacers with them using Hibbert as the bait. If a move like this were to happen I definitely believe Cauley-Stein would be their guy.
However, what the Pacers probably need more than anything is a young stretch four. David West and Luis Scola are both regressing and probably won’t be around much longer. Because of this, Frank Kaminsky makes a ton of sense for the Pacers with the 11th pick.
Kaminsky seems like the type of player Larry Bird would love. He’s gritty, versatile and has a very impressive basketball I.Q. While Kaminsky may struggle on defense some in the league, he can do just about anything on the offensive end.
“Frank the Tank” can finish at the rim with either hand, post up on either block and knock down mid-range and three-point jumpers at an impressive clip. While he was a center in college, he definitely looks more like a power forward in the NBA. He’s also a really underrated passer. I could see him thriving in a triangle offense or in a role like Josh McRoberts used to play in for the then Bobcats as a bit of a second point guard.
Larry Bird will have some enticing options when he’s on the clock. However if they keep the pick and Stein doesn’t fall to 11, I’m predicting Kaminsky will be the pick here. Just makes too much sense, on paper he looks like a great fit in Indiana.
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