2022 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: Who gets the star big men at the top?

The Pacers are a tough team to figure out. On paper, they have some pieces to try and push for the playoffs next season — Myles Turner, Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Malcolm Brogdon and last year’s rookie Chris Duarte. But there is a big split in ages between the 22-year-old Haliburton and the 30-year-old Hield and Brogdon and the Pacers could make some big trades this summer to push the roster younger. The Pacers (like every team) would have loved to jump into the top 3 and chase one of the three, star bigs, but if Ivey is still here at No. 6, he’s too good to pass up, even in a crowded backcourt.

Ivey is an explosive athlete whose signature attributes are his blend of speed, strength and aggressiveness. He’s not a great shooter or particularly polished creating for teammates but he’ll be an absolute terror in transition and should be able to put up plenty of points in the halfcourt by bulldozing his way into the lane. It would be nice to see a more reliable outside shot and more consistent effort on defense but both of those things could come and he’d be an extremely interesting long-term partner for Haliburton.