With the NBA season still hanging on the balance, the NBA Draft could also be in jeopardy of taking place this summer. As of right now the draft os going on as it would normally but things could take a different shape.
The draft starts with the Draft Lottery in which is the day we find out who will receive the #1 pick in the NBA Draft. It is based on an odds system of teams with the worst records ands determines the teams who get the first 14 picks. This is a mandatory step in the draft process. Without the lottery, we can not have a draft, and without the rest of the NBA season we can not find out what odds each of the worst teams will get to have the lottery.
What This Means?
The draft lottery is scheduled for May 19th, 2020 which is coming up very soon. As of right now the NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25th, 2020. Without the conclusion of the NBA season we do not know what the commissioner plans to due for these events. The teams, players, and players union has asked the commissioner and the board to push the draft back until at least August 1st, giving the time needed to further gather a plan for these rather quickly upcoming events. By pushing the draft back it will allow for a return to the NBA games to take place if at all possible during this COVID-19 pandemic shutdown. This will allow for things to run more smoothly and give the right amount of time to the general managers and teams to scout and figure out their moves for the 2020 NBA Draft.
The Pacers
As for the Indiana Pacers, there are a few ways we could take this draft. Due to the trade last year with the Milwaukee Bucks for point guard Malcolm Brogdon, the Pacers do not own a first round pick. I believe that this is not as bad as some people would think because of the production the Brogdon has given the Pacers this year. The Pacers do hold a second round pick which will most likely transcend into pick 49. Now this is where things get interesting. In the past the Pacers, in my opinion, have not made very good second round decisions such as trading our picks last year, or the pick of Alize Johnson who has not produced for the Pacers since being drafted.
In this years draft there are two roads that could be taken. The first being drafting a versatile wing that plays a 3 and D style fitting into coach McMillan’s grit and grind style of play. As of right now the Pacers do not play very big off the bench and need a little more production from the perimeter for a 3/4 spot that can play a decent amount of minutes. This role is being filled by players like Justin Holiday and Doug McDermott who aren’t playing too bad, actually producing better than in the past, but getting a bigger, younger player and working them into that role could be very beneficial to the Pacers future.
The other way to take this pick would be to build depth at the guard position due to the injury to Jeremy Lamb. Lamb was a vital role in the offense last year and was making his way to the bench unit as star Victor Oladipo was making his return to the lineup. Drafting a bigger guard/forward that can fulfill his role until he returns, which could be all of next season or most of it, could also be a beneficial move for the Pacers. A scoring shooter with good defense coming off the bench playing either the 2 or 3 spot is something the Pacers like to use for versatility in the unit coming off the bench. Therefore, we could see a pick like this from the Pacers in the second round this year.
Alston Bane 