The NBA Draft is always unpredictable, but the early consensus among draft prognosticators seems to be forming a “Tier 2” of picks four and five, with Jaden Ivey and Shaedon Sharpe consistently going to the Kings and Pistons in some order. If that happens, the Indiana Pacers should be excited to add a player from their options at the 3 and 4. Bennedict Mathurin, A.J. Griffin and Jeremy Sochan are all in play, but they pull the trigger here on Keegan Murray.
The Iowa forward has an insane skill level, scoring in bunches from all around the court. Murray can finish at the rim, he can stroke it from deep, and he can score either as a shot creator or finisher. He looks like an excellent fit with Myles Turner in the frontcourt, and also paired with Tyrese Haliburton to drive offense.
The Portland Trail Blazers were likely hoping for a jump into the Top 4 and a chance at a true difference-maker, but they look poised to be a team trying to immediately leap back into the playoff mix and contend with Damian Lillard while he is still in his prime.
Towards that end, adding a 3-and-D wing like Bennedict Mathurin gives them a player who can fill his role right from the jump. Perhaps he develops into something more, but even if he doesn’t he represents a skillset the Blazers have been chasing for Lillard’s running mates for years.