Potential Targets at #57: Sean Kilpatrick

Mar 14, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats guard Sean Kilpatrick (23) drives against Connecticut Huskies guard Shabazz Napier (13) during the second half in the semifinals of the American Athletic Conference college basketball tournament at FedEx Forum. UConn defeated Cincinnati 58-56. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers currently hold the 57th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft on Thursday night, and there are quite a few interesting players that they could target with the pick. One of those names is shooting guard Sean Kilpatrick, who showed last season at Cincinnati that he can score the basketball at a very high level. Perhaps the biggest issue for the Pacers last season was their lack of scoring off the bench, and Kilpatrick could come in and help with that immediately.

He averaged 20.6 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, and led his team to the NCAA tournament. His ability to score is what would make the Pacers draft him, and he is the type of player that Larry Bird likes. The Pacers will certainly give him a look if they decide to stand pat at #57.

Indiana has had success taking talented scorers out of Cincinnati in recent history, and they will work to re-sign Lance Stephenson this offseason. Kilpatrick could come in and play the same type of role off the bench that Stephenson had a couple years ago, and would add another playmaking guard to the roster. He has extremely high potential, and could very well become one of the more dependent bench pieces in his rookie year if the Pacers give him a chance.

All that being said, he does have some issues with his game as well when you look deeper than just the surface. His defense does leave a bit to be desired, and that could be something that puts him in head coach Frank Vogel’s doghouse early on in the year. He’ll need to work hard at improving on that side of the ball, and he also needs to be a more willing passer.

Overall, this would be one of the better selections for the Pacers if they do decide to stick with their 57th overall pick. Kilpatrick would add the scoring aspect that Indiana needs, and he would be a fairly athletic option off of the bench as well. He has four years of college experience, and is ready to take the next step to the NBA.