The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft has passed and Nicolas Claxton decided to stay in. The 6’11” forward averaged 13.0 points and 8.6 rebounds as a sophomore at Georgia. His name crept into the first-round conversation as the draft nears. Claxton offers a ton of upside at the end of the first round or at the top of the second. However, the Pacers have other needs to fill.
The Indiana Pacers have spent multiple draft picks on developmental big men in recent years. Ike Anigbogu and Alize Johnson were both selected in the second round of their respective drafts.