NBA Draft 2023: Pacers have several first-round picks

The Indiana Pacers are back in NBA Draft lottery territory, at the moment with the 6th-worst record in the league.

They also hold the first-round picks of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics, and the second-round pick of the Houston Rockets. That would give them 4 picks in the top 31.

A few Indiana basketball and Purdue players are potential draftees as well.

The possibilities seem endless.

Moving up IU lists:Trayce Jackson-Davis passes his coach on the scoring chart

Purdue's big man:What you should know about Zach Edey

Jonathan Wasserman, Bleacher Report

Pacers picks

No. 6: Gradey Dick, Kansas

When the best-player-available discussion begins to get murkier in the late lottery, Dick's surefire shooting could give him an edge. Teams will know what they're getting in the 6'8" forward who is at 42.0 percent from three. But there is also a path to more upside among Dick's flashes of perimeter creation into dribble jumpers, athletic finishes and defensive playmaking.

No. 26, via Cavs, Bilal Coulibaly, France

After a few dominant performances in France's U21 division, Coulibaly is now producing alongside Victor Wembanyama, showcasing an enticing combination of athleticism, shooting and defensive activity for an 18-year-old.

No. 30, via Celtics: Kel'el Ware, Oregon

Ware's draft floor is dropping, as he's played 15 minutes or fewer in 11 consecutive games. He'll have a chance to win back support during workouts, where his 7'0" size, mobility, shooting range and touch should still look enticing in the late first round.

No. 31, via Rockets, Jalen Wilson, Kansas

On track to double last year's 3-point makes, Wilson has rebuilt his draft stock with improved shooting that complements his excellent finishing, rebounding and mid-range shot-making.

IU basketball, Purdue players in NBA Draft 2023

18th, Rockets, IU's Jalen Hood-Schifino: Scouts are catching on to Hood-Schifino with Indiana winning and the 6'6", 213-pound guard producing with flashy ball-handling and passing and three-level shot-making.

34th, Sixers, IU's Trayce Jackson-Davis: While the 20.2 points and 11.3 rebounds pop first, it's the 3.5 assists and 3.0 blocks that have turned Jackson-Davis into a more attractive NBA prospect. The improved passing and defense help create more versatility and function, which is key for a 6'9" big who lives mostly off post-ups and finishes.

60th, Hornets, Zach Edey: After Edey's sixth 30-point game of the season, NBA teams might not start to feel that it's worth using a late second-round pick to see how effective his 7-4 frame can be for easy baskets and rim protection.

Gary Parrish, CBS Sports

First round only

Pacers picks

No. 6, Keyonte George, Baylor

George has solidified himself as the best player on a team with two other high-level guards who helped Baylor win the 2021 NCAA Tournament. At 6-4, he has respectable size for his position and the ability to shot-create in late shot-clock situations and make jumpers from deep, which is obviously valuable in today's NBA.

No. 26, DaRon Holmes II, Dayton

Holmes is a great example of how a top-100 high school prospect can enroll at a non-power-conference school and still remain on NBA franchises' radars. He's a 6-10 big with a jumper that has improved in two years at Dayton.

No. 30, Reece Beekman, Virginia

Beekman can play either backcourt spot and also guard his position. His 3-point percentage being above 40% suggests he'll be a reliable shooter at the next level.

Indiana basketball in the NBA Draft

16th, Pelicans, Jalen Hood-Schifino: Hood-Schifino is a combo guard with size who can shoot. He's been up and down for an up-and-down Indiana team for much of this season but still projects as a quality NBA player for many years to come.

No Ceilings

Pacers picks

No. 6, Jarace Walker, Houston

Jarace Walker continues to show the two-way versatility that could make him a Top 5 pick in this draft. Walker’s calling card as a freshman has been his defensive versatility. Going back to his high school days, Walker has shown that he can guard almost anyone on the court. Offensively, Walker doesn’t regularly fill up the stat sheet, but that doesn’t mean that he’s incapable of doing so. Walker’s jump shot, especially off the catch, continues to improve.

No. 26, Terquavion Smith, North Carolina State

The Pacers do have a number of players that fit into their scheme nicely. The scheme is very egalitarian in the sense that a bucket can come from a number of directions. Adding a pure bucket-getter into the mix will give Indiana some interesting lineup versatility. Terquavion Smith has shown the ability to be a great floor spacer–capable of playing off either Tyrese Haliburton or Ben Mathurin. Smith gives the option of another pure scorer if/when Tyrese or Mathurin need a spell.

No. 30, Dereck Lively II, Duke

Lively has been one of the best rim protectors in the country this year. He has great timing as a weak side rim protector, and his positioning in drop coverage continues to improve. Lively also has the athleticism to occasionally switch on the perimeter when needed. As a long-term replacement for Myles Turner or just a backup big, Lively is still very much worthy of taking a swing on at the end of the first.

No. 31, Bilal Coulibaly, France

Indiana basketball players in 2023 NBA Draft

15th, Hawks, Jalen Hood-Schifino: Hood-Schifino has been one of the hottest names in draft circles in recent weeks, and the Atlanta Hawks should be ecstatic if he falls to them here with the 15th pick. Hood-Schifino is one of the best playmakers in this class, and his shooting — somewhat of a concern heading into the season — has been very impressive for Indiana. Hood-Schifino is also a dogged defender with excellent size at the point of attack, and he’s got enough size to potentially play in three-guard lineups with Dejounte Murray and Trae Young.

37th, Lakers, IU's Trayce Jackson-Davis

Krysten Peek, Yahoo

Pacers picks

No. 8, Cam Whitmore, Villanova

Whitmore is a high-volume shooter who can get a shot off from anywhere on the court. Villanova is struggling to win games in the first season without Hall of Fame coach Jay Wright, but Whitmore's resume prior to getting on campus could be enough to keep him inside the top 10. Over the summer, Whitmore led Team USA to a gold medal in the FIBA U18 Americas Championship, averaging 18.7 points and 6.3 rebounds throughout the tournament.

No. 24, Taylor Hendricks, Central Florida; No. 30, Jalen Hood-Schifino, Indiana; No. 31, Derek Lively II, Duke

IU basketball players in the NBA Draft 2023

44th, Hawks, Trayce Jackson-Davis

NBA Draft Room

Pacers picks

No. 6, Nick Smith, Arkansas

Smith is easing his way back into action after missing time with a sore knee. He’s got an elite skill-set but will need to string together some good performances to deserve this high of a draft pick.

No. 26, Leonard Miller, G League Ignite

Miller is having a nice season for the Ignite and is looking like a mid to late first rounder.

No. 30, Bilal Coulibaly, France

An intriguing upside athlete with great length and long term potential.

No. 31, Adem Bona, UCLA

A quick, explosive athlete with great open court speed, tons of strength and above the rim ability. Picked up the game late but is quickly emerging as a bonafide talent.

Indiana, Purdue basketball players in NBA Draft 2023

16th, Lakers, Jalen Hood-Schifino: A big, tough guard who is a gamer and brings it every time out. A talented passer and facilitator who is a glue-guy on the court.

23rd, Kings, Trayce Jackson-Davis: TJD is an overpowering force inside, despite not having elite center size. He’s become an advanced passer and play-maker.

44th, Hawks, Zach Edey: A massive center with a soft touch around the rim but might not have the speed to hold his own in the NBA.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NBA mock draft 2023: Pacers hold several first-round picks