NBA Draft 2018: 5 targets for the Indiana Pacers

DAYTON, OH - MARCH 13: Aaron Holiday #3 of the UCLA Bruins reacts against the St. Bonaventure Bonnies during the first half of the First Four game in the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at UD Arena on March 13, 2018 in Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

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LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 9: UCLA guard Aaron Holiday (3) raises his arms in triumph during the semifinal game of the mens Pac-12 Tournament between the UCLA Bruins and the Arizona Wildcats on March 9, 2018, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Aaron Holiday

Much of the rationale behind the Pacers’ interest in Robinson can be applied to Holiday as well. He’ll go about his business differently, but the end results for both players are largely the same.

Holiday is just a better bit to succeed at both ends of the floor. Specifically, he’s a better athlete than Robinson. His size will likely force him to play point guard at the next level, but scoring is how he’ll earn a living.

Holiday lit up the scoreboard for UCLA to the tune of 20.3 points per game. He’s equally adept at scoring from behind the arc as he is getting in the lane to make shots. That makes him an extremely tough cover. He’ll need a little bit of time to adjust to life in the NBA, but he’s a solid bet to emerge as a quality scorer in time.

It’s unlikely Holiday will ever emerge as a quality starter at the next level, but he can lead a bench group in scoring. That gives him plenty of upside to become Indiana’s first round pick. He’s the perfect blend between player and potential to help the Pacers contend both now and later.

Holiday should be around when the No. 23 pick comes up. It’s very possible the Pacers will end his wait on draft night.

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