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When the Indianapolis Star broke the news yesterday that David West was opting out of the final year of his contract with the Pacers, disappointed fans immediately began looking towards the NBA Draft tonight.
Who could the Pacers draft that would fill the void long-term? No one can replace West’s voice in the locker room, but from a skill set standpoint, there were some interesting prospects.
Larry Bird already said at the end of last season that the Pacers will look to run more, and that led to suggestions that the Pacers could take Cameron Payne, the speedy, crafty point guard from Murray State. But with West likely gone and the Pacers desperate to get rid of Roy Hibbert (sources indicate they are shopping him like crazy on the open market), it looked like the team would have to go big. An athletic, high-octane big, preferably with range.
Personally, I was dreaming of Big WIllie Cauley-Stein from Kentucky. Offensively limited but a freak athlete freakier than most freaks. Capable of guarding one through five, not just on switches but for sizable stretches; a good shot blocker, and one of those guys who allows you to just throw it up there and they’ll take care of the rest. Think of a more athletic Tyson Chandler or a DeAndre Jordan with less strength but also less of a liability at the free throw line.
There were rumblings that WCS could fall to as low as 11, and with Larry Bird opening pining after the dude (calling him, apparently, a “$100m player”), Pacers fans were dreaming big. Assuming Hibbert opts in, the Pacers would still have a lineup of George Hill, CJ Miles, Paul George, WCS and Hibbert. If the Pacers could get Monta Ellis from Dallas, a player they are apparently interested in, that would create an even nicer lineup. Apart from the two-guard spot, all guys are long and strong defensively. Hill and George would wreak havoc on the wing, Hibbert would still be a decent rim protector, the only thing he seems to be capable of, and WCS would be the wild card weak side helper and shot blocker.
Alas, it was not meant to be. Big Willie went No. 6 to Sacramento. Probably a bit higher than he should have been, but whatever.
OK, Big Willie is gone, so Pacers fans started looking at the next best thing, the Big Frankfurt, Frank Kaminsky from Wisconsin. I’m not as high on the big white dude as most others, but there’s no denying he is a crafting offensive dude with plenty of range and some big time beans to go with that frank.
Unfortunately, the Big Frankfurt went at No. 9 to MJ’s Charlotte Hornets. That didn’t leave a lot for the Pacers at 11. If they weren’t going with Payne and didn’t need a wing, Myles Turner from Texas was looking like the sure bet.
He’s a decent offensive talent but barely averaged 10 points despite going into college as one of the top ranked high schoolers in the nation. The 7 footer was the Big 12 Freshman of the Year and measured out extremely well at the combine with a 7’4″ wingspan, and has the potential to be the athletic big rim protector the team was looking for.
When I was discussing the draft with a friend yesterday, he told me he was OK with whoever the Pacers select as long as it’s not Myles Turner. “That guy has bust written all over him,” were his exact words.
That said, there are reports that Turner and Kaminsky worked out together for the Pacers, and Turner probably had the better performance, if that small sample could be used as justification. Candace Buckner from the Star also said he was one of the most vocal on the court, which I suppose could also be a good thing.
Given his upside, Turner is an intriguing pick for the Pacers. He won’t be able to help as immediately as some of the other players left in the draft, but he could have a solid career as an NBA starter if the cards fall his way. Honestly though, I’m just a little bummed out by the selection.
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