Indiana Pacers Draft Pick Watch Thread

[theFireBlanket]

I might be way off but Hinton has some similarities with DDV when he was up and about pre-covid, the idea of those two flying everywhere (in non Pat-ways) is exciting.

Hinton belongs here, I'm sold. Pat can improve the ways, bench warm or go.


DDV/Hinton/Khris/Giannis/Favors.

[emunney]

There has to be a reason why this Hinton kid is rated so lowly. Just seems odd. Of course, for all we know there may be some NBA teams who do have him graded higher than most of these sites/pundits.

Can he still withdraw from the draft?

I don't think it's that odd. Good reasons to be bullish on him between his apparent mental makeup and his outside jumper, but he's guard height and he showed almost no ability to get separation off the dribble in the AAC. If you think of him as sophomore Jimmy Butler like I do, it means he's 2 years of fast development from being a late first rounder, and that's if he was a few inches taller. He makes senior Jimmy look like Kobe.

I think we're coming off a series where we watched the other team get 80% of the loose balls and it's just salient for us. We want a guy who does that, and plus this guy can shoot? Kismet.

[Frank Nova]

I like Nico Mannion at 24 now. I was on the fence about him and still kind of am, but, he seems like an intelligent player and he might turn into a very good guard in the PnR with the ball in his hands. A huge upgrade with this team will simply be having a intelligent ball handler to simply make the right basketball decisions. Something Bledsoe is clearly incapable of doing.

[emunney]

I like Nico Mannion at 24 now. I was on the fence about him and still kind of am, but, he seems like an intelligent player and he might turn into a very good guard in the PnR with the ball in his hands. A huge upgrade with this team will simply be having a intelligent ball handler to simply make the right basketball decisions. Something Bledsoe is clearly incapable of doing.

We drafted worse prospects higher in the draft three years in a row (2015-2017). I don't think he'd be my pick but I don't think he'd be a bad pick either. For one thing I think he'll prove to be much better than the 33% shooter from 3 he was in Tucson. I like how he works off the ball and reads the the floor, and obviously he's a very good passer. The defense can't read his eyes, which is great. He's a real point guard.

On the other hand, he's got some bad habits defensively that really bother me considering his extensive basketball background. Would he be better with fewer offensive responsibilities and fewer minutes or worse (i.e. is he tired or does he mentally drift)? And despite his high skill level, he's kind of slow with the ball and consistently goes to his [admittedly impressive] floater because he doesn't seem to have the burst to get good looks at the rim.

[machu46]

I like Nico Mannion at 24 now. I was on the fence about him and still kind of am, but, he seems like an intelligent player and he might turn into a very good guard in the PnR with the ball in his hands. A huge upgrade with this team will simply be having a intelligent ball handler to simply make the right basketball decisions. Something Bledsoe is clearly incapable of doing.

I really wish he had returned to college. Probably wouldn't have been good for his draft stock but it would make me feel a lot better about what I see in him as a prospect. Granted Arizona was a pretty terrible fit for him, but it's tough for me to reconcile taking a PG for his shooting and passing ability while he shot like crap and wasn't all that great creating for others (though I think a part of this was spacing issues with that team).

I feel much more confident about taking Cassius Winston to bring those same elements to the team personally.

[Brewhoopfan]

Hinton counterpoints: He was the 3rd leading scorer(10.6) on his own team behind another soph and freshman guards. This scoring total is propped up by his only 20+ point games coming against Texas-Arlington and Houston Baptist. He only averaged 9.6 ppg in the AAC which is a good, but not high level conference. I do like the size, 3 pt shot profile, and rebounding, but the production hasn't been there yet. He should have stayed in school.

[tski1972]

Hinton counterpoints: He was the 3rd leading scorer(10.6) on his own team behind another soph and freshman guards. This scoring total is propped up by his only 20+ point games coming against Texas-Arlington and Houston Baptist. He only averaged 9.6 ppg in the AAC which is a good, but not high level conference. I do like the size, 3 pt shot profile, and rebounding, but the production hasn't been there yet. He should have stayed in school.

thats not how it works here. people post highlight videos of players we have never heard of and we immediately believe they are the best thing since sliced bread.

[midranger]

No doubt Hinton could have used another year to develop his offense. Not comparing him at all to these guys, but people said the same about Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Sometimes these athletic defenders develop their handle and shot in the league and become stars but usually they don’t and wash out. Hinton doesn’t have a max upside like those guys, but it looks like the basic framework and work ethic is there to potentially develop him offensively. Either way, he’s a low risk proposition anywhere in the second round.

[jakecronus8]

Still can’t believe I’m seeing mocks with Cassius Stanley as a late first/early 2nd round pick. What did I miss with him. Stood out as a difference maker each time I saw him play. In a draft that’s pretty weak, I’d be comfortable with him anywhere from 10 on.

[machu46]

Hinton kinda reminds me of what people thought Hamidou Diallo might be. I mean that as a compliment, but it might not come off that way lol

[machu46]

Still can’t believe I’m seeing mocks with Cassius Stanley as a late first/early 2nd round pick. What did I miss with him. Stood out as a difference maker each time I saw him play. In a draft that’s pretty weak, I’d be comfortable with him anywhere from 10 on.

I'm with you. Outside of maybe Tyrell Terry, Winston is the guy I want at 24 the most. I'm not doing a full-fledged big board this year, but I'm pretty confident he'd be in my top 15.

The detractors just don't believe his body type will work in the NBA.

[M-C-G]

There has to be a reason why this Hinton kid is rated so lowly. Just seems odd. Of course, for all we know there may be some NBA teams who do have him graded higher than most of these sites/pundits.

Can he still withdraw from the draft?

My guess is kind of the same reason DDV was available at our pick. He impacts the game a lot for things that don't show up in a stat sheet.

He looks like a better, more energetic version of Sterling Brown. And at least a few of those highlights he showed some dribble and seems like a decent passer/vision.

But that's just my guess.

[LuessiT]

I think this board is overreacting to the lifelessness our roster showed in the POs. Hinton is a guy who needs at least one year of G-League followed by two years on a minimum which he won't live up to. By that time he'll be a RFA. And that's his best case imo.
I'm in favor for guys coming out early and even in Hinton's case I think it's the right thing for him both from a monetary and development perspective but I don't see the value for an NBA franchise drafting this guy. Maybe buy a late second and sign him on a two-way. But better let someone else commit a roster spot, money and development time and have him on your list of players you're actively tracking and monitoring.

[emunney]

No doubt Hinton could have used another year to develop his offense. Not comparing him at all to these guys, but people said the same about Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Sometimes these athletic defenders develop their handle and shot in the league and become stars but usually they don’t and wash out. Hinton doesn’t have a max upside like those guys, but it looks like the basic framework and work ethic is there to potentially develop him offensively. Either way, he’s a low risk proposition anywhere in the second round.

I'd say it's a more trenchant criticism with Hinton than it was with George and Leonard, though I get your point overall. But both of those guys handled the ball more and created more offense despite not being guards.

I like enough other "2nd round guards" like Skylar Mays that the decision even in the 2nd probably wouldn't be easy for me. It's weird how much Mays reminds me of Brogdon.

[midranger]

No doubt Hinton could have used another year to develop his offense. Not comparing him at all to these guys, but people said the same about Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Sometimes these athletic defenders develop their handle and shot in the league and become stars but usually they don’t and wash out. Hinton doesn’t have a max upside like those guys, but it looks like the basic framework and work ethic is there to potentially develop him offensively. Either way, he’s a low risk proposition anywhere in the second round.

I'd say it's a more trenchant criticism with Hinton than it was with George and Leonard, though I get your point overall. But both of those guys handled the ball more and created more offense despite not being guards.

I like enough other "2nd round guards" like Skylar Mays that the decision even in the 2nd probably wouldn't be easy for me. It's weird how much Mays reminds me of Brogdon.

Hell, even read Jimmy Butler’s draft profile. Great motor, good defender, jack of all trades/master of none, can’t create for himself, needs a shot, etc... Pretty much the same as Hinton’s.

I’d gamble on these guys if they have a work ethic, good feel for the game, and Solid basic framework to add to a rudimentary skill set. Chances are they bust, but there is a high reward opportunity too.

I do agree that there are a number of intriguing guards in the second round though.

[Ruzious]

I think this board is overreacting to the lifelessness our roster showed in the POs. Hinton is a guy who needs at least one year of G-League followed by two years on a minimum which he won't live up to. By that time he'll be a RFA. And that's his best case imo.
I'm in favor for guys coming out early and even in Hinton's case I think it's the right thing for him both from a monetary and development perspective but I don't see the value for an NBA franchise drafting this guy. Maybe buy a late second and sign him on a two-way. But better let someone else commit a roster spot, money and development time and have him on your list of players you're actively tracking and monitoring.

Right, I see Nate Hinton as a player who if he doesn't get drafted - you snatch him up with a 2-way contract. My guess is that it's 50/50 that he gets drafted. And same sorta situation with Nathan Knight.

[emunney]

I think this board is overreacting to the lifelessness our roster showed in the POs. Hinton is a guy who needs at least one year of G-League followed by two years on a minimum which he won't live up to. By that time he'll be a RFA. And that's his best case imo.
I'm in favor for guys coming out early and even in Hinton's case I think it's the right thing for him both from a monetary and development perspective but I don't see the value for an NBA franchise drafting this guy. Maybe buy a late second and sign him on a two-way. But better let someone else commit a roster spot, money and development time and have him on your list of players you're actively tracking and monitoring.

Right, I see Nate Hinton as a player who if he doesn't get drafted - you snatch him up with a 2-way contract. My guess is that it's 50/50 that he gets drafted. And same sorta situation with Nathan Knight.

Frontcourt partner of Badger legend Andy Van Vliet.

[Ruzious]

I think this board is overreacting to the lifelessness our roster showed in the POs. Hinton is a guy who needs at least one year of G-League followed by two years on a minimum which he won't live up to. By that time he'll be a RFA. And that's his best case imo.
I'm in favor for guys coming out early and even in Hinton's case I think it's the right thing for him both from a monetary and development perspective but I don't see the value for an NBA franchise drafting this guy. Maybe buy a late second and sign him on a two-way. But better let someone else commit a roster spot, money and development time and have him on your list of players you're actively tracking and monitoring.

Right, I see Nate Hinton as a player who if he doesn't get drafted - you snatch him up with a 2-way contract. My guess is that it's 50/50 that he gets drafted. And same sorta situation with Nathan Knight.

Frontcourt partner of Badger legend Andy Van Vliet.

Who is no relation to Wichita State legend Fred VanVleet. Yeah, W&M had a man-sized front court last season - even if Steely Dan isn't a fan.

[theFireBlanket]

No doubt Hinton could have used another year to develop his offense. Not comparing him at all to these guys, but people said the same about Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. Sometimes these athletic defenders develop their handle and shot in the league and become stars but usually they don’t and wash out. Hinton doesn’t have a max upside like those guys, but it looks like the basic framework and work ethic is there to potentially develop him offensively. Either way, he’s a low risk proposition anywhere in the second round.

I'd say it's a more trenchant criticism with Hinton than it was with George and Leonard, though I get your point overall. But both of those guys handled the ball more and created more offense despite not being guards.

I like enough other "2nd round guards" like Skylar Mays that the decision even in the 2nd probably wouldn't be easy for me. It's weird how much Mays reminds me of Brogdon.

Hell, even read Jimmy Butler’s draft profile. Great motor, good defender, jack of all trades/master of none, can’t create for himself, needs a shot, etc... Pretty much the same as Hinton’s.

I’d gamble on these guys if they have a work ethic, good feel for the game, and Solid basic framework to add to a rudimentary skill set. Chances are they bust, but there is a high reward opportunity too.

I do agree that there are a number of intriguing guards in the second round though.

Putting players like Hinton around Giannis makes a pretty high likelihood of pushing them to be their best. His work ethic rubs off on others.

[RiotPunch]

Still can’t believe I’m seeing mocks with Cassius Stanley as a late first/early 2nd round pick. What did I miss with him. Stood out as a difference maker each time I saw him play. In a draft that’s pretty weak, I’d be comfortable with him anywhere from 10 on.

I'm with you. Outside of maybe Tyrell Terry, Winston is the guy I want at 24 the most. I'm not doing a full-fledged big board this year, but I'm pretty confident he'd be in my top 15.

The detractors just don't believe his body type will work in the NBA.

I feel like you both like a Cassius but not the same Cassius.

If I had to pick, I would pick Winston. He is really smart and can really shoot it. Stanley is probably the best athlete in the class but really doesn't have many layers to his game. Polar opposite Cassius'.