Indiana Pacers hold two first round picks as several lottery-projected prospects begin season for G League Ignite
The NBA G League season has officially begun. Last night, the G League Ignite and Perth Wildcats faced off in the first game of the inaugural G League Fall Invitational.
The Ignite will be a team worth watching in the coming campaign. The roster is loaded with top prospects, and several scouts attended their game against the Wildcats last night. The two teams face off again on Friday.
The Ignite's roster contains possible number one overall picks Ron Holland and Matas Buzelis as well as Izan Almansa, Babacar Sane, and Tyler Smith. The former two players are the top-two prospects in ESPN's 2024 NBA Mock Draft. The latter three are all mocked later. This game specifically adds more intrigue via Perth forward Alex Sarr, who ESPN has being selected 19th overall.
The Indiana Pacers certainly had interest in the game. They are hoping to reach the postseason this year, but they are still building their roster. They also have two first-round draft picks next year, which could be the last draft that significantly pushes forward their current rebuild.
Indiana has their own first-round pick as well as a second one they acquired in a draft-night deal. It will be the lesser of Oklahoma City, Utah, Los Angeles (Clippers), and Houston's first-round selections.
They also have an extra second-round pick (via Milwaukee) next year. The Pacers have a solid young core, but they could add to it thanks to their picks. One of the guys they add could have played last night.
Former Pacers and Fort Wayne Mad Ants, the Pacers G League affiliate, guard David Stockton recently joined the Ignite. The Mad Ants will battle the Ignite on February 12 and 13 of 2024.
Indiana drafted an Ignite player, Mojave King, in the most recent draft. King is going to play overseas this coming year. But perhaps the Pacers could end up with another Ignite player next season, and the developmental squad started its season on Wednesday night.
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