If it comes down to it, Indiana might find itself doing the same this upcoming season. Let’s go down the list:<\/p>\n
Dybantsa — arguably the best player in this year’s class because of his elite athleticism and ability to impact the game at every level as a wing. But he is not likely to start over Aaron Nesmith, who is an established starting small forward on this Pacers roster and is likely a better fit in the lineup because of his 3-and-D abilities.<\/p>\n
Peterson — elite shot creator who would be an excellent fit next to Haliburton<\/a> in the backcourt. But are the Pacers going to bench Andrew Nembhard for a rookie after the season he had? Probably not. Plus, Indiana desperately needs a go-to shot creator off the bench<\/a> after it traded Bennedict Mathurin, and the Kansas guard may be that guy.<\/p>\n Boozer — incredibly smart basketball player who would be an unbelievable fit in Indiana because of his ability to space the floor, rebound, and playmake at a high level. He’s also not starting over Pascal Siakam or Ivica Zubac. This one is obvious.<\/p>\n Wilson — basically everything I wrote about Dybantsa applies here, only it’s even more obvious because Wilson isn’t as polished offensively and would benefit the most from coming off the bench right away.<\/p>\n But at the same time, all of these players have a chance to blossom into something special, and they need the opportunity to play real minutes to reach their potential (see: Jarace Walker). If the Pacers ultimately get their pick back, it will be a fantastic development. But it would also come with its own problems that the team will need to work out to maximize their championship window.<\/p>\n
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