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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 5, 2016; Queens, NY, USA; Providence Friars forward Ben Bentil (0) dribbles the ball as St. John’s Red Storm center Yankuba Sima (35) defends during the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /

Power Forward Ben Bentil

The Indiana Pacers need more scoring threats on their roster, which makes Ben Bentil a viable option for them with the 20th overall pick. The two-year Providence player was one of the most prolific scorers at the power forward position in college basketball last season.

After only averaging 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game as a freshman, Bentil averaged 21.1 points and 7.7 rebounds per game in his sophomore season. With his 14.7 increase in points and 2.6 increase in rebounds, Bentil was arguably the most improved player in college basketball for the 2015-16 season.

At first Bentil was an early second round pick, but his draft stock has been drastically rising since the end of the college basketball season. Now, Bentil is viewed as a guaranteed first round pick in most people’s eyes.

Like Baldwin IV, Bentil also had a pre-draft workout with the Pacers. He thinks he has a lot of skills that would fit in well with the franchise.

"“My versatility, my intensity, hard work. This is a team that’s relentless. They just pressure and try to play up-and-down and I think that that fits with my game.”"

Team President Larry Bird has indicated he would like to score more points on offense. As a result, the Pacers need more athletics who are capable of shooting from outside at times.

In college, Bentil showed he had a diverse set of post moves and the ability to shoot the three-point shot. Overall, he fits the description of a modern NBA stretch power forward, which is something the Pacers will need if they want to be a more dynamic, offensive team.

The one concern about Bentil is he is an undersized power forward. He is only 6’8” which means his shot is easy to block against standard size power forwards. However, he does possess a 7’1.5” wingspan that does help him make up for his lack of height.

Bentil does need to get better on the defensive side of the ball. However, head coach Nate McMillan is known for his defensive coaching ability. He should be ability to fix some of Bentil’s defensive issues.

Outside of Myles Turner and Paul George, the Indiana Pacers do not have frontcourt players who specialize in scoring. Bentil would add a much needed spark to them offensively. Bentil is another player the Pacers could consider taking with the 20th overall pick.

Next: PG Tyler Ulis

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