Indiana Pacers Draft Pick Watch Thread

[LuessiT]

I don't think there's much doubt on Nesmith's shooting for me, it's legit. His shooting from the line is identical to his freshman season as well (82.5%) which is usually a solid indicator that your shot can translate. He doesn't have a lightning quick release but good mechanics, and he's gonna be a guy you can't leave open at anytime. Issue for me is his upside beyond the shooting. Will he be a poor on-ball defender or anything more than an average team defender? Does he have any versatility to his offensive game, or is he just gonna be a one-dimensional shooting specialist?

Of course his shooting is legit. The problem is there is a huge difference between him shooting 52% from 3 and let's say 45% from 3. Jordan Poole was shooting 50% from 3 last year in college before he regressed and now he's shooting 28% in the NBA.
Would Nesmith have regressed with a bigger sample size/conference play? The question isn't wether he can shoot but if he's a Justin Holiday or a Kyle Korver.
Had he shot 52% for the full season when teams start to game plan for him I'd be talking about him as a potential #1 pick.

[Ron Swanson]

I don't think there's much doubt on Nesmith's shooting for me, it's legit. His shooting from the line is identical to his freshman season as well (82.5%) which is usually a solid indicator that your shot can translate. He doesn't have a lightning quick release but good mechanics, and he's gonna be a guy you can't leave open at anytime. Issue for me is his upside beyond the shooting. Will he be a poor on-ball defender or anything more than an average team defender? Does he have any versatility to his offensive game, or is he just gonna be a one-dimensional shooting specialist?

Of course his shooting is legit. The problem is there is a huge difference between him shooting 52% from 3 and let's say 45% from 3. Jordan Poole was shooting 50% from 3 last year in college before he regressed and now he's shooting 28% in the NBA.
Would Nesmith have regressed with a bigger sample size/conference play? The question isn't wether he can shoot but if he's a Justin Holiday or a Kyle Korver.
Had he shot 52% for the full season when teams start to game plan for him I'd be talking about him as a potential #1 pick.

Yeah.....nah. No one's a legitimate "50% 3PT shooter", but he's going to be a good shooter in the pros, that much I'm pretty sure of. Him shooting 45% or 52% on volume wouldn't change my opinion much at all. It's all the other stuff (zero play-making skill, average to below-average handle, defensive limitations, lack of offensive versatility, poor finisher in traffic) that's disqualifying him from any feasible Top-10 conversation.

[LuessiT]

Yeah.....nah. No one's a legitimate "50% 3PT shooter", but he's going to be a good shooter in the pros, that much I'm pretty sure of. Him shooting 45% or 52% on volume wouldn't change my opinion much at all. It's all the other stuff (zero play-making skill, average to below-average handle, defensive limitations, lack of offensive versatility, poor finisher in traffic) that's disqualifying him from any feasible Top-10 conversation.

A lot of current NBA players could shoot over 50% from 3 versus college players with the college line. Either Curry, Hield, prime Korver, Middleton just to name a few. Guys like Trae Young could easily average over 10 3PA per game. It's no surprise some college players have single season highs in that range.
I'm not saying he's coming to the NBA and will shoot the same percentages, I'm saying if he can recreate the volume on lower percentages at the NBA he'll be very, very valueable.

His limitations as you mentioned are real but for example Buddy Hield has been comparable or worse in those aspecte and was significantly older and look how highly valued he is right now. Elite shooting with enough self creation to get your shot off can carry you very, very far. And it's no conclusion that he won't add to his game.

I'm not advocating for taking him that high btw. I'm vary about his shooting because other than you I actually worry about his FT% (that said also small sample size on that). I'm saying scouting reports that treat his level of shooting as a given are inconsistent in their mocks.

[Ruzious]

I don't think there's much doubt on Nesmith's shooting for me, it's legit. His shooting from the line is identical to his freshman season as well (82.5%) which is usually a solid indicator that your shot can translate. He doesn't have a lightning quick release but good mechanics, and he's gonna be a guy you can't leave open at anytime. Issue for me is his upside beyond the shooting. Will he be a poor on-ball defender or anything more than an average team defender? Does he have any versatility to his offensive game, or is he just gonna be a one-dimensional shooting specialist?

He's always been regarded as an outstanding defender on the college level, so I don't know where the 1-dimentional shooting specialist stuff comes from. He's a reasonably good athlete with excellent size for the 2. What he isn't is a shot creator, but we don't need a shot creator. I'm hoping the Bucks get either Nesmith or Saddiq Bey.

[ReasonablySober]

I think I'm locked in on Vassell.

[emunney]

I think I'm locked in on Vassell.

IMO he's high floor high ceiling. Lots of guys I sort of like but he's near the top. Taking it for granted he's gone.

Pokusevski is incredibly intriguing. Don't know much about him but I'm horny for his passing highlights.

[Ruzious]

I think I'm locked in on Vassell.

IMO he's high floor high ceiling. Lots of guys I sort of like but he's near the top. Taking it for granted he's gone.

Pokusevski is incredibly intriguing. Don't know much about him but I'm horny for his passing highlights.

Re Vassell, I think he's a low ceiling, high floor - safe pick. He wouldn't be my choice, but I wouldn't be upset picking him. His teammate, Patrick Williams, is the opposite - high ceiling, low floor. I think he's too risky to pick, but he might go before Vassell.

[Badgerlander]

Should probably pick a high floor/high bbiq guy because our staff doesn’t seem to have a track record for development

[emunney]

Should probably pick a high floor/high bbiq guy because our staff doesn’t seem to have a track record for development

High IQ/feel should be a prereq for consideration.

[M-C-G]

Should probably pick a high floor/high bbiq guy because our staff doesn’t seem to have a track record for development

Badger, what is your shortlist that you think might be there?

Also, not sure if you are deployed, stay safe.

[emunney]

Skylar Mays is a pro. Extremely reminiscent of Brogdon.

[RiotPunch]

Skylar Mays is a pro. Extremely reminiscent of Brogdon.

Love Skylar. He would be one of my top targets if we tried to acquire a 2nd. He's got a much quicker release than Malcolm, but yeah, similar offensive deliberation and smart defensive gambling. Not shy about letting it rip and especially good trailing on the FB, can't help but see him burying threes whilst trailing Giannis.

Another guy I'm falling for, and I'm not the only one-- Desmond Bane from TCU. I think he will end up on Bud's shortlist. Just an incredibly high IQ guy, especially on defense. Extremely well-rounded, very good shooter (44% from deep on 6.5 attempts) good rebounder for a wing (6.4) can playmake a bit (3.9 APG). Seems like a classic step in and meaningfully contribute right away senior in the 2nd

[Ron Swanson]

Nah, give me upside over zeroing in on perceived NBA-ready or subjective "high IQ" guys. I'm treating this pick like a scratch-off lottery ticket.

Jaden McDaniels
Aaron Nesmith
Cassius Stanley
Jalen Smith
Pokusevski

Would be happy with any of those guys.

[Matches Malone]

Still really like this kid.

Read on Twitter

[RiotPunch]

Wow, did not expect him to declare. Terry is really good, just obviously worry about his size.

[emunney]

Watch on YouTube

[RiotPunch]

Flipped on the Auburn/Bama tape to get a closer look at Okoro, but now I can't stop watching Kira Lewis Jr. 18 year old sophomore, pure shooter both off the dribble & catch and shoot, quick and athletic, can get to the rim, makes plays defensively, grab and go rebounder, electric in transition, unsure how this guy isn't in the lottery conversation? Turns it over a lot I guess.

Watch on YouTube

ETA: Most recent Bama/Auburn meeting was terribly inefficient, but still posted a trip dub.

That was Feb. 12, since then he has been firmly in my top 10 and my #1 realistic Bucks target. Maxey has moved up big-time too. He might be the best bet to be a high level contributor in this class.

1 - LaMelo Ball
2 - Killian Hayes
3 - Anthony Edwards
4 - Tyrese Maxey
5 - Cole Anthony
6 - Kira Lewis Jr.
7 - Devin Vassell
8 - Isaac Okoro
9 - RJ Hampton
10 - Tyrese Haliburton
11 - Deni Avdija
12 - Onyeka Okongwu
13 - Patrick Williams
14 - Leandro Bolmaro

[Ruzious]

Skylar Mays is a pro. Extremely reminiscent of Brogdon.

Good call. He doesn't have the length that Brogdon has, but I'd think he could be a better shooting version of Wes Matthews - he's got those big shoulders and plays tough defense. And he seems like the kind of hard-worker the Bucks would go for.

[Badgerlander]

Should probably pick a high floor/high bbiq guy because our staff doesn’t seem to have a track record for development

Badger, what is your shortlist that you think might be there?

Also, not sure if you are deployed, stay safe.

Appreciate it, I’m home although I’ve lost a good buddy/coworker to this thing already so I hope everyone can stay safe. Anyway I don’t usually bother with lists until after the combine because the athletes literally leap up the board. I’m still working so I catch up with this stuff over the weekend and haven’t done a deep dive with guys still declaring. I love that there won’t be any team workouts to skew the scouting in the wrong direction.

[BucksFanSD]

Nesmith is still who I would take if he's available. Risk-reward is looking very good.

I do like Devin Vassell as well. Both he and Nesmith can shoot it. Vassell is young for a sophmore, athletic, plays defense, and has good measurables. He doesn't get to the line much though. Some DDV similarities.

Hoping one of them is available.