Los Angeles Lakers get high mark in complete 2017 NBA Draft first round grades
. Power Forward. Indiana Pacers. T.J. LEAF. B+
The Indiana Pacers are in a very tough position. Their best player, Paul George, has stated that he will be leaving the team in free agency next year. As a result, the Pacers were working the phones looking for potential trades. They didn’t find any that they liked, so the George rumors will continue.
The draft would have been a good time to move him, so the Pacers could try landing more prospects to rebuild with. While they didn’t add more draft picks, they did well with the one they already had by selecting UCLA power forward, T.J. Leaf.
The Pacers are probably lucky they had a chance to select Leaf. He could have easily gone in the lottery but fell into their laps with the 18th pick. Leaf fits into their plans very well as a solid complement to power forward to center Myles Turner.
Indiana wanted a scoring power forward to pair with him, and Leaf provides that. He can knock down three-pointers and finish above the rim. Leaf can absolutely fill it up and proved it at UCLA. In addition to putting the ball in the basket, Leaf is also a good passer.
His defense leaves something to be desired, but Turner has already proved to be a great defender, so he should be able to hide some of Leaf’s deficiencies. Leaf also makes up for his lack of defense on the glass, as he is a very good rebounder.
Leaf gives the Pacers another good building block in their frontcourt as they begin preparations for life after Paul George.