NBA mock draft roundup: Who will Pacers add to one of league's deepest rosters?

Indianapolis Star

21-05-2025

The Indiana Pacers have bigger fish to fry with the Eastern Conference Finals vs. the New York Knicks, but the 2025 NBA draft isn't too far off in the horizon (June 25). Following the NBA draft combine's conclusion, there's a fresh batch of mock drafts out.
Most of the Pacers roster is under contract for next season, with Myles Turner's pending free agency the biggest offseason concern. The Pacers' rotation is 11 deep and barring an offseason trade to make a potential new deal for Turner fit financially, there's not a lot of needs or even room for another young player.
Indiana owns picks No. 23 in the first round and No. 54 in the second round. Here's a look at who some draft prognosticators think the Pacers may take (and likely play the majority of their games for the Noblesville Boom).
∎ ESPN's Jonathan Givony goes with Colorado State guard Nique Clifford, who averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.4 assists per game last season.
"In the middle of a heavyweight battle with the New York Knicks for a trip to the NBA Finals, the Pacers might not be as focused on the draft as some of their league counterparts.
"Every team is actively seeking wing depth, and Clifford will be getting looks higher than this because of his plug-and-play, Swiss Army knife-type profile, combining an excellent feel for the game with strong defensive versatility while converting 38% of his 3-pointers the past two seasons."
No. 54: Koby Brea, SG/SF, Kentucky
∎ For The Win's Bryan Kalbrosky goes with another wing — Washington State's Cedric Coward, who was limited to just six games last season because of injury. Coward transferred to Wazzou after two seasons at Eastern Washington.
"Another fascinating player who is currently testing the waters of the 2025 NBA Draft is Cedric Coward, who also committed to Duke in the transfer portal. Coward shot 40% on his 3-pointers while averaging 17.7 points per game before getting hurt last season. He is one of the hottest names in draft circles right now after measuring with a 7-2 wingspan at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine."
∎ Yahoo! Sports' Kevin O'Conner is worried about Turner's possible departure and tabs Stanford big man Maxime Raynaud as the pick at No. 23.
"With Myles Turner entering free agent this offseason, the Pacers could be in need of a center. Even if he does return, Raynaud could serve as a backup center or give Indiana a versatile option for a two-big look. Raynaud has leveled up every year at Stanford, turning into a player who pops 3s, slashes to the rim with a smooth handle, and makes eye-popping passes. As a talented passer who also offers solid defense, there's little reason to think the Frenchman won't carve out an NBA role."
No. 54: Alex Toohey, F, Australia
"Toohey is a jack-of-all-trades Australian forward who grinds on defense and loves to dish the ball around. But his scoring comes and goes with his streaky jumper since he's not someone who generates many of his own shots. He could fit right into Indiana's versatile roster."
∎ The Ringer's J. Kyle Mann and Danny Chau go for Saint Joseph's forward Rasheer Fleming, who averaged 14.7 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and 1.4 steals per game this past season and showed an ability to hit from the outside, shooting 39% from behind the arc.
"Fleming's sky-high steal and block percentages and low-waste offensive skills have made him one of the analytics darlings of this class. Tidy shot charts like Fleming's can be engineered by the right NBA system, but his defensive skills are hard to come by. The 6-foot-9 big can float between guarding bigger, stronger forwards and perimeter players who want to get it going off the dribble. It's his primary selling point and a nice fit for the Pacers, who could use some depth in that area."
∎ CBS Sports' Adam Finkelstein goes for French forward Noa Essengue, a potential draft-and-stash, which would make sense considering the Pacers' roster depth already.
"Essengue is big, mobile, athletic, and young. In fact, he won't turn 19 until next December, but we've seen notable growth in recent months for Ratiopharm Ulm, in Germany. Indiana may need some more immediate reinforcements up front, depending on how things go in free agency, but Essengue is a nice long-term asset."
∎ Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman goes for another French big man, this one Joan Beringer, whose player comparison is listed as Clint Capela.
"Joan Beringer has entered this year's draft discussion with a high shot-blocking rate and highlights of defensive mobility at 6-11.
"Despite lacking any real offensive skill, his physical tools, movement and effectiveness suggest the rim protection, shot-contesting and finishing should be translatable to the same role he plays for Cedevita."
No. 54: Lachlan Olbrich, PF/C, Australia
"Olbrich double-doubled in both scrimmages and didn't look out of place in spite of athletic limitations.
"His instincts were evident and functional for timing dives to the basket, spin moves and offensive rebounds. He showed advanced footwork and body control to create separation and touch to convert from different angles."
∎ Draft Digest via SI.com:
No. 23: Nique Clifford, Colorado State
No. 54: Kobe Sanders, Nevada
∎ NBADraft.net:
No. 23: Yaxel Lendeborg, C/PF, UAB
No. 54: Caleb Love, SG, North Carolina