1. Keldon Johnson – Kentucky
2018-19 stats: 13.5 ppg 5.9 rpg 1.6 apg
While the guard position is important for Indiana to deal with, what they do with the 18th pick may ultimately tell us their plans with Bogdanovic. He’ll be 30 years old next season and could get at least $16 million dollars for four years in free agency. If the Pacers select a wing in the draft, they’ll likely choose to let him go this offseason, as his salary in the coming years may not be worth it.
That’s what I predict they’ll do, which is why Keldon Johnson would be a perfect selection. The 6’6 forward was big for Kentucky in the first half of the season until PJ Washington carried the team in the second portion. He’s a great defender with an under the radar offensive game, including making nearly 40% from three-point range as a freshman.
Johnson is above average in many categories including rebounding. He had five games of at least 10+ boards, including a season-high against Auburn. Bogdanovic averaged 4.1 rpg for the Pacers and the team ranked in the bottom third overall on the boards. He may not be a better scorer but the former Wildcat is an upgrade in other areas while being 10 years younger and cheaper to boot.
There’s a possibility that Johnson will be off the board as well by this point but the Pacers should aggressively target him if they can. Oladipo coming back fully healthy already makes Indiana a viable contender in the eastern conference but succeeding with this pick will make Milwaukee and Toronto really nervous.