With the NBA Draft fast approaching, and the Early Entry List set, it's time to examine more in depth some of the players who could be available for each of the Pacers three picks. (I am operating under the assumption Dallas will be sending us their 2nd round pick this year, not next, to complete the Shawne Williams deal. June 1st is the final deadline for Dallas to decide.)
Obviously, the Pacers 1st Round pick is the most exciting and has the most potential for value. As we need a lot of improvement in all areas, I will be looking at players who should be available for all three picks. My plan is to post two profiles a day, for 2nd rounders, until the Draft Lottery on May 18th. After the team's first round position is finalized, I'll begin profiling 1st Rounders.
These profiles cover players I believe have some value to offer the Pacers next season and in the future. These profiles are not intended to advocate for one player over another, just examine their strengths and weaknesses, and discuss in some detail what they have to offer. For each profile I provided Ten Important Statistics to guide the discussion. When discussing how each player can help the Pacers I will try to specifically reference the team needs I identified in Setting the Table for the Pacers Summer. Here is who we will be looking at today:
Trevor Booker - SF/PF - 6'7" 215 lbs. - Clemson University
| Pts/40 | Reb/40 | Ast/40 | Stl/40 | Blk.40 | eFG% | 3PT% | FT% | FTA/40 | A/TO |
| 19.8 | 10.9 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 1.8 | 53.0% | 26.5% | 59.1% | 7.0 | 1.31 |
Strengths -
- Booker played power forward in college, but his quickness and athleticism indicate he should be able to transition to the wing in the NBA.
- He is very tough and athletic, and uses his great strength to his advantage.
- His last two college seasons he worked hard to develop his perimeter skills, as he probably knew this was where his professional future lay. His 3PT% and FT% were horrible this year, but were a very respectable 40.9% and 70.7% last season. He seemed to be pressing this year, trying to prove his perimeter skills and it affected his shot selection and percentages.
- This season he posted a positive assist to turnover ratio for the first time in his college career. This is an indication of his developing all around game.
- Booker is an extremely hard working player defensively and on the glass.
- Some highlights:
Weaknesses -
- As I mentioned above Booker worked hard to develop his perimeter game with mixed success. It is tough to judge which of his poor numbers and decisions are a result of limitations of ability and which are a result of forcing the issue and trying to hard. To be a long-term NBA player Booker will have to become consistent with his outside shooting and shot selection.
- His height was a definite defensive liability, as he spent most of his college career defending power forwards. Hopefully, in the pros he will be able to defend wings players and his height will no longer be an issue.
How he can help the Pacers -
- To me, Trevor Booker's ceiling looks like a Jared Dudley type player. I mean that as an absolute compliment. With some work he could be a defensive dynamo, and a consistent spot-up shooter. He may not see many minutes withthe Pacers next season, sharing the back-up small forward minutes with Dunleavy and Dahntay Jones, but down the road he has the potential to be a solid contributor.
- With respect to his offensive skills and efficiency it is difficult to project what he can provide in the NBA. That being said, there will never be questions about his effort or intensity, especially at the defensive end. His aggressive mindset alone could be a benefit to the Pacers.
More Information -