The draft order is certainly going to be a storyline to watch during the 2022 NBA draft. There are three players seemingly set in stone to go in the top three: Gonzaga’s Chet Holmgren, Auburn’s Jabari Smith, and Duke’s Paolo Banchero.
Iowa forward Keegan Murray is in that next tier of players, alongside guards Jaden Ivey from Purdue and Shaedon Sharpe of Kentucky. Murray has previously been projected to the Detroit Pistons by ESPN and CBS Sports, but another team to keep an eye on is the Indiana Pacers.
For The Win’s Bryan Kalbrosky recently forecasted Murray No. 6 overall to the Indiana Pacers in his 2022 Mock Draft 7.0.
As the Pacers look to rebuild after trading away Domantas Sabonis, they can add a valuable contributor to their rotation by selecting Murray. – Kalbrosky, For The Win.
It’s the same slot in the draft order that Kalbrosky saw Murray landing at prior to the 2022 NBA draft lottery back in early May. The destination has changed, though. Prior to the NBA lottery, Kalbrosky projected Murray to be drafted No. 6 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. Now, it’s No. 6 to the Indiana Pacers.
Ahead of this latest mock draft, Kalbrosky caught up with the former Iowa star to discuss what pieces of his game will best translate to the NBA.
“I think my versatility stands out the most. It’s something I can bring to the next level. I can guard multiple positions. That was my role during my freshman year. I was just the ultimate hustle guy. This year, it was more offensive-oriented.
“But I feel like I’m able to score on all three levels and I’m able to play any role a team needs me to play — whether that’s to put the ball in the basket or to guard different guys, I’m able to adapt and change my role depending on the game. I can bring that to an NBA team right off the bat. I’m excited to get into that gauntlet of the 82-game season and establish myself on both sides of the basketball,” Murray said.
The Pacers really embraced the rebuild last year, sending All-Star power forward Domantas Sabonis to the Kings in a deal that netted Indiana young rising guard Tyrese Haliburton. The move was puzzling for many. While Sabonis is one of the best rebounders in the NBA and is a nightly 20-10 threat, Sacramento traded away a really promising guard in a pretty win-now trade despite the fact that they aren’t close to a win-now situation.
Haliburton took his game to the next level for the last 26 games of the season for the Pacers,…
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