Pacers mock draft roundup: What will Indiana Pacers do with 2025 NBA draft picks?
The Indiana Pacers have secured a spot in the NBA playoffs with a few games remaining in the 2024-25 regular season.
With a week left, the Pacers are in the No. 4 spot in the Eastern Conference. While the playoffs need to happen first, who could be headed to Indiana in the draft this year?
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Here are some options:
Who will the Pacers pick in the first round of the 2025 NBA draft?
Bryan Kalbrosky, For The Win
23) Danny Wolf, Michigan, center: Michigan's Danny Wolf is a do-it-all big man who has averaged 13.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game this season. Wolf had the most assists (132) of any college player who is 6-foot-10 or taller, per CBB Analytics. The big man is an incredibly gifted and skilled playmaker considering his height.
Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report
22) Thomas Sorber, Georgetown, center: A foot injury on a big guy will draw extra attention during predraft and medical reviews. Teams will be hopeful to watch Thomas Sorber work out, since he hasn't played since February 15 and was often kept in check against ranked or NCAA tournament teams.
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His finishing tools, post skill and passing were noticeably advanced throughout the season. He was disruptive defensively (2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals) and despite poor jump-shooting percentages, the confidence/comfort he showed to keep taking mid-range shots and threes was still encouraging.
Feb 8, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Georgetown Hoyas forward Thomas Sorber (35) drives past Seton Hall Pirates center Godswill Erheriene (54) during the first half at Capital One Arena. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images
More coverage: Pacers dawdle but again put away a lottery team
52) Xaivian Lee, Princeton, point guard/shooting guard: Xaivian Lee evolved into more of a playmaker this season, a key development that should help teams visualize a more realistic NBA guard prospect. His creativity is the draw, but he also hit 59 threes this year and shot 42.0 percent on pull-ups.
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Lee tested the draft process last year but couldn't get the call-up from G League Elite Camp to the NBA combine. Earning a direct invite to the combine this year would give him a better chance to validate the 16.9 points, 6.1 boards and 5.5 assists he put up in the Ivy League.
Dec 21, 2024; Newark, New Jersey, USA; Princeton Tigers guard Xaivian Lee (1) shoots the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images
Kevin O'Connor, Yahoo Sports
22) Asa Newell, Georgia, forward: The Pacers have been one of the league's best teams for a few months now, posting the seventh-best net rating ever since the NBA Cup. But looking ahead, Myles Turner will be a free agent this summer, which means finding another big man could be a priority. Newell has springs in his legs, regularly slamming lobs and swatting shots. Tyrese Haliburton would find him more than anyone ever has. Even though his discipline reflects his youth, his energetic style suggests he'll someday become a highly versatile defender that could help fortify this Pacers defense.
Mar 20, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) and Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Ryan Nembhard (0) fight for a rebound in the first half of a first round men's NCAA Tournament game at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Adam Finkelstein, CBS Sports
22) Will Riley, Illinois, small forward: Riley is even less ready for the NBA than (Carter) Bryant is, especially from a physical standpoint, and would be bound to spend significant time in the G League. Nevertheless, he went to Illinois with a clear one-and-done plan and showed some real growth down the stretch of the season. At 6-foot-8, there are flashes of shot-making and playmaking alike. Overall, he's a long-term stock with a high ceiling.
Illinois Fighting Illini forward Will Riley (7) rushes past Iowa Hawkeyes forward Payton Sandfort (20) on Thursday, March 13, 2025, during the second round of the men's Big Ten tournament at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Illinois Fighting Illini defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes, 106-94.
Sam Vecenie, The Athletic
19) Joan Beringer, Cedevita, center: Beringer is the big riser of the last three months on the international scene. He's a wildly athletic center who is new to the game and has surprisingly carved out a serious role for Eurocup team Cedevita. He's as loose athletically as you'll find a center, with real flexibility and explosiveness at 6-10. He also has extremely long arms and showcases an immense amount of defensive upside that could become versatile in the right situation. More than anything, though, what scouts rave about are his hands. He catches everything in and outside of his area, showing serious potential to be a rim-runner as a low-usage screen-and-roll center. But he isn't all that massive for the role, which those rim-runner centers typically are. Additionally, he's got some work to do with the intricacies of the game. I tend to get feedback for him more in the 20s and early 30s, but Indiana is a perfect fit for him as a transition-based team that has a desperate need at backup center (and potentially a long-term need at starting center if Myles Turner departs in free agency).
49) Rocco Zikarsky, Brisbane Bullets, center
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Pacers mock drafts, predictions for 2025 NBA draft picks
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