Last season was a rough one for the Indiana Pacers, as they finished with the second-worst record in the NBA. To make matters worse, courtesy of their trade for Ivica Zubac, they had to sacrifice their top-five pick to the Los Angeles Clippers. However, the future is still bright for the Pacers.
Indiana’s woes came largely due to injuries, specifically their star, Tyrese Haliburton, who missed the entire year with a torn Achilles. Nevertheless, heading into next year, the Pacers have nearly all of their core players from their 2025 championship run. They did lose Myles Turner and Bennedict Mathurin, but by flipping Mathurin and the first for Ivica Zubac, they got an arguably better center.
Not only do the Pacers not have their own first-round pick — they don’t have a single pick this draft. That’s not a huge problem for them, though. None of their key players are entering free agency this offseason. Additionally, as a win-now team that nearly went the distance last year, they’re already pretty set.
Still, plenty of trades are made in every draft, particularly in the second round. Don’t expect Indiana to move into the first round, as they simply do not need to. However, they could realistically try to grab a second-round pick just to take a bite at the apple. As a team competing for a title, having extra depth and possible X-factors could prove to be the difference.
Pacers Draft Needs:
Frankly, the Pacers really don’t need much. They have passers, rim protection, shooting, perimeter defenders, and almost everything else a fan could ask for. One hole they have not filled, though, is the one left by Mathurin. With his size and ability to create shots of the bench, he was massive for Indiana in their 2025 playoff run. After trading him for Zubac, the Pacers could use another player of that archetype.
Pacers Draft Targets:
Otega Oweh — SG — Kentucky
Otega Oweh would be the perfect Bennedict Mathurin replacement. At 6-foot-4, Oweh averaged just under 19 points per game last season. Additionally, he profiles as a strong defender and three-level scorer: just like Mathurin.
Oweh would provide the Pacers with anything they could need. Whether they need shooting, perimeter defense, or shot creation, his wide range of skills makes him a perfect second-round flyer.
Predicting where players may go outside of the first round is tricky. Nevertheless, Oweh likely won’t go at the very top of the second round. So, if Indiana chooses to acquire a pick, if they get one anywhere near the middle of the second, they should have a chance.
Richie Saunders — SG — BYU
Richie Saunders, like Oweh, fills a lot of potential Indiana needs. Saunders thrives as a shooter, and his ability to get hot from three could be a true difference-maker. He also plays solid perimeter defense, which would allow him to get consistent run while he develops the rest of his game.
Saunders does not have the shot creation that Mathurin or even Oweh has. He’s not a guy who can consistently score in isolation situations. However, he can still get to the basket, knock down midranges, and get himself open looks from three. As a solid 3-and-D player with plenty of experience, he has the potential to be a steady bench contributor at the next level.
The Pacers can wait a bit longer on Saunders than Oweh. Saunders will likely go closer towards the end of the second round. Thus, with any second round pick, Indiana gives themselves a shot at one of the best shooters in the draft.
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