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Indiana Pacers: Five Possible First Round Options

By Kyle Nishida

May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers new head coach Nate McMillan and president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers new head coach Nate McMillan and president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 15, 2016; Dayton, OH, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores guard Wade Baldwin IV (4) drives to the basket while guarded by Wichita State Shockers guard Ron Baker (31) during the first half of First Four of the NCAA men /

Point Guard Wade Baldwin IV

Wade Baldwin IV has been projected to be a Top 20 in this year’s NBA Draft, and with the Pacers currently owning the 20th pick, he could be a possible selection for them.

Baldwin was a two-year starter for the Vanderbilt Commodores. He quickly made a name for himself by making the SEC All-Freshmen team in his first season. He continued to improve following that season and was named to the All-SEC second team as a sophomore. After these two successful seasons with the Commodores, he felt he was ready to make the jump to the NBA.

He averaged 11.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1.8 steals in 68 games with the Commodores. His 6’3” frame and 6’10” wingspan allowed him to be a playmaker offensively and an excellent player defensively.

As mentioned before, scouts and analysts think Baldwin is a Top 20 prospect. However, almost all believe he will be picked somewhere in between the 10th and 20th picks overall. Here how DraftExpress best summarized Baldwin’s game.

"The foundation that Wade Baldwin possesses – ability to hit an open shot, willingness to set up his teammates, size to be a force defensively – is a very attractive combination for NBA teams in need of guard depth, and should make him a relatively safe bet to be a contributor at the next level. Still, there’s a lack of refinement – in his ball handling, in his ability to shoot off the dribble, in his lack of understanding of the nuances of creating space with misdirection and changing speed – that suggests he’s far from a finished product."

The Pacers have shown some interest in this sophomore prospect. Baldwin was one of the first prospects to workout with the Pacers and had head coach Nate McMillan closely observing him throughout his entire workout.

The Pacers need a point guard who can set up scoring opportunities for himself or his teammates. Right now, the Pacers do not have this skill set in their starting lineup with George Hill and Monta Ellis. Meanwhile, Ty Lawson and Rodney Stuckey struggled to be playmakers off the bench. Baldwin would have a chance to get some playing time immediately.    

Baldwin has excellent size and strength to play point guard effectively in the NBA. He should be one of the top names on the Pacers’ draft board.

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