Lottery Team Targets (Pacers)

[Moooose]

10. Indiana Pacers: The Pacers are in a tough spot here with the 10th pick after a headscratching late season run to position themselves out of the top few picks. They really could use a point guard, but any point guard behind Wall (Armon Johnson or Eric Bledoe) would be a reach at 10. They need to find an effective complimentary scorer to go along with their go-to scorer Danny Granger. With the 10th pick, the legit scoring options could be limited, but Xavier Henry strikes me as the best inside scoring option available. he surprised with his combine athleticism numbers, and we already know he's a great shooter. Ed Davis is another possibility due to his length and potential, granted he missed most of his sophomore year and failed to stand out when he did play. Udoh is an intriguing player... he's an excellent athlete who can shoot and block shots, and his offensive game is really developing. His improved midrange game is what shot him up the draft boards, and if the Pacers feel he can add to their weak offensive arsenal, he could be their guy. In a draft with very few surefire guards, Armon Johnson and Eric Bledsoe are guards who could eventually play the point, but it's uncertain if they can be productive right away, so if they really like one of them they could trade down 8-10 spots and most likely still get their man.

Plan A - Xavier Henry
Plan B - Ed Davis
Plan C - Armon Johnson/Eric Bledsoe (trade down)
Plan D - Ekpe Udoh

http://www.nbadraft.net/lottery-team-targets-0

I'm just surprised Udoh is projected to be taken after the 15th in nbadraft.net's mock draft. He'll be working out with the Pacers on Tuesday and i think he can prove why he should be a lottery pick. He can even go higher than the 10th spot, i believe.
To me, drafting Udoh or Patterson would be plan A, drafting Henry and dealing Rush would be plan B, trading down the draft for a couple of picks, plan C, and drafting Davis or any other gap filler would be plan D.

[Gremz]

Yet another reason why I really distrust nbadraft.net.

[basketballwacko2]

The Pacers have shown an unwillingness to trade down in the past, except for the Rush/Bayless trade, I don't remember them ever doing it, although it would have been a benefit in some yrs. Too bad we didn't find a way to get that done last year and take Lawson or Collison we'd be a lot closer to solving our PG issues. I'm expecting something to happen we have pieces that could bring some value, our expiring contracts. I'd love to see us work a deal to get the #2 and take Turner but I think Philly wants someone to eat Brands deal whole or most of it which lets us out.

I suspect that Dallas has a shot at getting Philly to deal the pick since Dampier's contract is fully ungarranted so a Dampier plus filler and 2 future #1 picks and cash for Brand and the #2 could happen.

As for our pick at #10 I'm looking at someone slipping and if we don't make a move I'd love to get Monroe but I'm betting it's gonna be Udoh. He's a great shot blocker and if he comes to start someday would give us a great defensive tandem inside with Hibbert. I'd love to see us get a 2nd #1 and get either Bledsoe or Willie Warren for our PG considering AJ is out a while.

[Wizop]

the story last year was we had the trade deal in place but it was contingent upon Henderson being available at our pick and he went one higher. I think Bird is very willing to trade down. don't cite Walsh's history as predicting what Larry will do.

[mizzoupacers]

I'd be happy to see the Pacers take Udoh at #10, if he's still available.

If he's not, then I'd like to see the Pacers find a way to trade down and still get a low-post defender (Sanders?) along with a useful guard (Bledsoe? Pondexter? Dominique Jones?).

Not convinced that Davis is worth a #10 pick--he seems like a bit of a project to me, and maybe not with a high enough ceiling to be worth the wait. Would rather see the Pacers trade down if he's the best guy available.

I could live with Henry at #10--not convinced he's as talented as Rush, but Rush is an enigma so far and Henry might be a good insurance policy. If Henry is really the guy the Pacers want, I'm also not sure he'd be available too far past #10, which makes it harder to trade down and still get him.

[MUpacersSIC]

I can't wait to see the battle between Avery Bradley and Eric Bledsoe tomorrow (I believe that's when it is). Will be interesting to see who comes out ahead and if either of them is worthy of the 10th pick.

[MNPacersfan]

I'd love to see the Pacers trade the 10 to MIN for the 16 and 23 and then select Larry Sanders and Jordan Crawford.

It wouldn't plug the PG hole, but it would help firm up the rotations with young players.

The PG spot may just have to wait until the trade deadline or next free agency.

[ardthomp]

I'd be happy to see the Pacers take Udoh at #10, if he's still available.

If he's not, then I'd like to see the Pacers find a way to trade down and still get a low-post defender (Sanders?) along with a useful guard (Bledsoe? Pondexter? Dominique Jones?).

Not convinced that Davis is worth a #10 pick--he seems like a bit of a project to me, and maybe not with a high enough ceiling to be worth the wait. Would rather see the Pacers trade down if he's the best guy available.

I could live with Henry at #10--not convinced he's as talented as Rush, but Rush is an enigma so far and Henry might be a good insurance policy. If Henry is really the guy the Pacers want, I'm also not sure he'd be available too far past #10, which makes it harder to trade down and still get him.

The projections that I have seen have Sanders listed as a SF more than a PF. I know he is pretty athletic, but who's game does he currently translate to? I've only seen him play a couple games in college and the level of competition left me scratching my head as to how he could fit.

[mizzoupacers]

Draftexpress lists Sanders as a PF/C, and most of the sites I'm familiar with call him a power forward. He's a 6'10" shot-blocker who's always played in the low post.

And I don't see much reason to question the level of competition he's faced. The Colonial is a solid league, with a number of good teams. George Mason, Old Dominion, and Sanders'/Eric Maynor's Virginia Commonwealth have all won NCAA tournament games in recent years.