2018 NBA Mock Draft: Trae Young could reset the Kings backcourt
Arkansas. Daniel Gafford. 17. player. 100. . C
The Pacers simply need scoring, so any way they can add to their offense in this draft, I think they will. Gafford could eventually be a productive interior big man.
As much as NBA comparisons can hamstring draft analysis, I do think they are occasionally valuable. Gafford’s playing time has been inconsistent this year, so there’s a chance NBA fans don’t know much about him. One comparison I keep going back to is Steven Adams. While Adams has pushed his game to a new level by turning into an elite offensive rebounder, I think Gafford’s overall package mirrors Adams’.
The freshman is on a scoring tear now, after two weeks of abysmal performances. He has scored in double digits in each of his last four games, topped off with a 19-point performance in a victory over Ole Miss.
Gafford has no stretch in his game right now, limiting unicorn potential, but there are only so many shooting big men available. The Pacers already have on in Myles Turner. Their focus should be on turning ground-bound rotation players like Al Jefferson or Thad Young into bouncier youngsters.