Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.Larry Bird's got sole possession of the reins. Larry Bird does not have the best record of personnel decisions. Larry Bird seeks to completely rebuild in the Indiana roster, and that starts with the #11 pick in Thursday's draft. What could possibly go wrong?!
Picks: #11, #41.
Needs: The point guard position is currently manned by Jamaal Tinsley and Travis Diener. That tells you almost everything you need to know ... but we'll add that assuming Jermaine O'Neal gets traded this century, another big to augment the terrifying Jeff Foster-Troy Murphy gauntlet could be in order.
Best case scenario: Everyone thinks D.J. Augustin would be beautiful in Pacers yellow (?), and the conventional wisdom appears to be correct: Augustin would be the best replacement possibly available. A second-rounder who could contribute immediately (J.J. Hickson, Richard Hendrix) would be great as well.
More likely scenario: Augustin should still be on the board here. If he's not, the "best player available" mandate rules Anthony Randolph, Danilo Gallinari, or Joe Alexander would be the choice. In the second round, Bird might have to opt for high-odds potential instead of a contributor type, as the league seems to be getting wise on the benefits there.
Please don't take: Honestly, anything will help. Danny Granger is the only Pacer worth sequestering in the "untouchable" vault, and he can play multiple positions. Quality is needed everywhere.
Trade possibilities: Quite high, considering O'Neal's eternal presence on the block. He clearly has more value in a different jersey, and hopefully Bird can help the fan base make a final break from the old, awesome era of Pacers basketball.
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