2019 NBA Draft: Full Mock Draft 2.0, Atlanta Hawks Pick #4 and #10, Lakers Win Lottery
By Chris Guest
#18. Indiana Pacers – Matisse Thybulle
In our first full mock draft on SDS, Matisse Thybulle fell to the San Antonio Spurs with the 19th overall pick. In this scenario, the Indiana Pacers opt for Thybulle one pick earlier at 18th overall.
As we have already outlined why Thybulle would be a great fit on the Atlanta Hawks, there is no question that Thybulle’s sparkling defensive accolades would make for a good fit on the defense-oriented Indiana Pacers as well.
According to Cleaning the Glass, the Pacers had the 4th-best offense in the NBA during the 2018-19 season – ahead of the Raptors, Celtics and Warriors. With Thybulle in the fold, likely coming off the bench in his first season, the Pacers would add another versatile defender that should be able to serve as an expert three-and-D role player on this team.
Another wrinkle is that the Pacers’ starting small forward Bojan Bogdanovic is a free agent this offseason, which means the Pacers will either have to pony up to keep him or find a replacement. Could Thybulle slide into the starting lineup in his first year? Thybulle is certainly an exceptional athlete, and he is also a fourth-year senior out of Washington, making him a seasoned college player.
The defensive numbers he produced this season were astounding, so perhaps he would be able to make his mark as a starter in his first year with the Pacers in this scenario.