Pacers Draft Grades: Pacers Add Offensive Weapons
By Dave McKee
It’s the day after the draft and after having a night to sleep it over, its time for the Pacers draft review. Fans appear to have embraced the fact that the draft was closer to a mock draft than the blockbuster night everyone predicted it could be.
Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
With all the buzz heading into the NBA Draft expectations were high and it appeared likely that several early trades in the lottery pick would alter the entire draft. There were a few surprise picks and even a few reaches before the Pacers made their selection at 11th, but nothing of the caliber many anticipated.
The Pacers had two specific needs and for the first time in two years they had two picks to address those needs. The priority was to add offensive scoring – especially in the frontcourt – for a team that has perennially been a low scoring team due to the slow tempo defensive style that has been the theme under head coach Frank Vogel. With the transition to a small quicker style of play, point production becomes a necessity as does a need to get more athletic on the floor.