Pacers Must Make Amends For Draft History Under Kevin Pritchard

Indy’s fans can only wonder how much the team’s fortunes would’ve changed had Leonard worn Pacers Blue and Gold.

Since the Pacers let Leonard walk away 11 years ago, they’ve had just two draft picks that have paid huge dividends: Myles Turner (2015) and Chris Duarte (2021).

It hurts to say this, but Indiana has had just two draft picks that have exceeded expectations over an 11-year span.

You can certainly make a case for Caris LeVert (2016).

However, he never even lasted a full season with the Pacers after they reacquired him from the Brooklyn Nets in 2021.

Consider for a moment some of the the rookies Indiana has drafted since 2011.

Miles Plumlee (2012), Solomon HIll (2013), Joe Young (2015), Ike Anigbogu (2017), and Cassius Stanley (2020) have all faded into oblivion.

For his part, T.J. Leaf (2017) remains one of the biggest draft busts in Pacers franchise history.

We’ll never know why Pritchard and co. passed up on guys like Jarrett Allen, O.G. Anunoby, and Kyle Kuzma that year.

On the other hand, Goga Bitadze (2019) has shown some potential, but he’s been a liability defensively for Indiana.

Clearly, the Pacers must get their act together on draft day this year.

The 2022 NBA Draft Is A Pivotal Turning Point In Franchise History 

The 2022 NBA Draft could make or break the Pacers’ fortunes in the next several years.

Bear in mind this is a team coming off an atrocious 25-57 win-loss season – its worst record in three decades.

Unless they trade up, the Pacers will pick sixth in this year’s draft.

They are in a good position to snag talented rookies such as Jaden Ivey, Keegan Murray, Shaedon Sharpe, Bennedict Mathurin, or Dyson Daniels.

Among that group, Ivey and Murray have bigger upsides.

Ivey, a former Purdue Boilermakers guard who grew up in South Bend, IN, could become the Pacers’ next hometown hero after George Hill.

Ivey’s game is eerily similar to Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant.

On the other hand, Murray is an athletic power forward who can score in bunches and defend and rebound with the best of them.

Should Indiana draft him, he has the potential to become one of the best two-way players in franchise history.

In the event both Ivey and Murray slip from the Pacers’ grasp, Sharpe, Mathurin, or Daniels can potentially become a game-changer in the professional ranks.

Regardless who the Pacers draft on June 23, they better play their cards right if they want to become playoff contenders again.