THE 2024 National Basketball Association (NBA) Draft is rapidly approaching, with each team making their final preparations ahead of adding some young talent to the best competition in the world.

There are some seriously impressive prospects available, with the crop stretching all around the globe as more international players begin to gain recognition. Suddenly, the collegiate system is not the only method to joining the NBA, which has allowed a broader range of players to compete at the top level.

With the 2023/24 NBA season now wrapped, the teams already eliminated have spent the past few weeks considering which players they will select to prepare for the future, and the recent Draft Lottery saw the official order determined.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be taking a look at each team and how their draft will potentially pan out on June 26-27. With all 30 sides in their own unique situation, there is plenty to unpack ahead of the next injection of exciting players.

One of the most improved sides in the 2023/24 NBA season was the Indiana Pacers, who surprisingly made it to the conference finals but fell to the eventual champions in the Celtics.

Indiana Pacers

Draft Selections

36, 50, 51

Contracted Players

Myles Turner, TJ McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker (team option), Tyrese Haliburton, Aaron Neismith, Jalen Smith (player option), Isaiah Jackson (team option), Ben Sheppard, Andrew Nembhard, Kendall Brown (team option)

After impressing throughout the mid-season tournament, the Pacers continued to defy expectations by making it to the conference finals in the 2023/24 NBA season. Although they ended up being beaten by the Celtics, it was still a great step forward for a roster that still has plenty of growth ahead.

Now heading to the draft with a trio of picks, the Pacers will be able to keep their development going with the addition of some young players, although they will be without their first round selection.

Instead, Indiana’s first pick of the night will be at selection number 36, where the team will be hoping to steal a first round slider. Although the Pacers have plenty of wings already, there still should be a lot of talented ones still on the board when they make their pick.

One option could be Cameron Christie, who offers perimeter presence and will be a knockdown shooter in the NBA. Given Haliburton’s elite passing ability, Indiana will be best suited to surround him with three-point threats, and Christie would fit that role perfectly, given he can either shoot off the dribble or coming off screens.

With their later picks, the Pacers have back to back selections so they have a bit of flexibility. The team could add to its big man stocks with Adem Bona, who is slightly undersized as a center, but does all of the hard work and would be an excellent rotation piece. He can defend the rim at a consistent rate and sets rock solid screens, which would help Haliburton get separation from his opponent.

If they look to add another power forward, Keshad Johnson would be a nice fit. He has proven himself as a rock solid interior scorer, while also showing upside as a spot up shooter on corner threes. Johnson also has great potential as a defensive presence, who could use his impressive wingspan to switch when guarding.