All of those pre-draft workouts had to pay off at some point right?
Today’s the big day for the Indiana Pacers. The 2021 NBA Draft is on the way, and Kevin Pritchard has a big decision to make.
The draft has been Pritchard’s achilles heel as an NBA exec. Here’s another opportunity to flip that storyline on its head.
This draft is a must-hit for Pritchard.
And per J. Michael from the Indianapolis Star, we might have ourselves some big time shooting coming to the 317.
Chris Duarte or Corey Kispert would both fit exceptionally.
But if Davion Mitchell falls to 13, there’s no way Indiana can pass right? His nickname at Baylor was literally “Off Night”. Because guys had off nights when he guarded them.
Duarte is stone cold and played for one of the most intense coaches in the country in Dana Altman. His versatility around the rim could also help the Pacers create even more opportunities for the likes of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner inside.
This guy has that Nyheim Hines “dawg” mentality going.
We saw Kispert on a national stage right here at home with the Gonzaga Bulldogs. In what was supposed to be an insane non-conference clash in the winter, Baylor and Gonzaga was cancelled due to COVID.
Thankfully, we finally got to see that clash in the National Championship Game. But honestly, Kispert wasn’t all that impressive towards the back end of the Tournament. Then again, as you go along in The Big Dance, teams really try to lock you up.
Still, Kispert is an elite outside shooting threat who could really help things for the Blue and Gold with his beyond-the-arc game.
That’s especially if Doug McDermott doesn’t come back.
Earlier this month, Pritchard jumped on The Fan Morning Show with myself and Big Joe Staysniak. I asked @PacersKev specifically on his philosophy of trading draft picks. I wanted to ask Pritchard if he had any thoughts about trading #13 without actually *asking*.
Because obviously that’s a secret. His answer was pretty interesting though.
“Our model has been that we try and win as many regular season games as we can and then we never have the really good chance for a top pick,” Pritchard said. “Because in the NBA with five players really making a difference, I have a few ways to build that group. With that being said, the draft is becoming more important where you must have some long term planning. Trades and free agency have been the ways to build our playoff contenders for the last 10 or 12 years.”
KP’s got a monster choice tonight.
And all around Bankers Life Fieldhouse will be expecting a splash.
Tune into The Fan Morning Show weekdays from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
