NBA mock drafts: Does Turner-Kaminsky battle mean anything to Pacers?

Myles Turner and Frank Kaminsky, two names closely associated with the Indiana Pacers in the upcoming NBA Draft, battled each other in front of team officials Sunday in Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Turner, a post player who left Texas after one year, and Kaminsky, a 7-foot four-year player at Wisconsin who can shoot from the outside, are viewed favorably for Indiana's future because frontcourt veterans David West and Roy Hibbert are nearing the end of their contracts.

The Pacers pick No. 11, and while Kaminsky and Turner are certainly in mix for coming to Indianapolis, there are other options, and some mock drafts in recent days believe Indiana may look beyond the big men.

• Derek Bodner of USA TODAY maintains the Pacers will select Turner, leaving Kaminsky on the board.

Indiana's recent success has, in large part, been predicated on having a great defensive big to anchor the stout defense. Turner showed great promise in that area during his freshman season at Texas and would be a nice addition to the Pacers aging frontcourt.

• Jason Alsher of the Cheat Sheet has the Pacers selecting point guard Cameron Payne, after Kaminsky but before Turner.

There has been chatter that the Indiana Pacers are really high on this intelligent point guard. Murray State's Cameron Payne is quick, refined, and can get to the bucket. Throw in the fact that he put up 20.2 points and 6 assists per game this past season, and he would be a nice player to put alongside super Paul George.

• Justin Hussong at Bleacher Report has the Pacers taking Turner, with the Utah Jazz selecting Kaminsky one pick later.

• Tyler Ackerson at iSportsWeb has the Pacers selecting Kentucky's Willie Cauley-Stein. He believes Turner will already by gone, but that Kaminsky stays on the board.

"As the draft approaches I expect Stein to fall on team's boards. I would, however, be surprised if he slid out of the lottery. He has the potential to be the best defender in this draft class, but few offensive skills, if any. His age will also hurt him as he is the oldest player to be taken so far in this mock. The Pacers like tough, defensive minded players and seem to be contemplating moving on from Roy Hibbert. Having Cauley-Stein on their team would help cover that loss."

• The Sporting News' Sean Deveney taps Arkansas power forward and 2015 SEC Player of the Year Bobby Portis for the Pacers. Portis worked out for Indiana last week, going head-to-head with Trey Lyles.

"While there is some sentiment to bring local guy Trey Lyles to the Pacers, when has this organization ever done the expected on draft night? While Lyles has potential, and the Pacers are considering guards and wings such as Cameron Payne and Kelly Oubre, too. Portis has the most potential to develop into a strong stretch-4."

• Reid Forgrave at Fox Sports believes the Pacers will go small with Notre Dame guard Jerian Grant. He believes Kaminsky will already be off the board, but the Turner will have to wait past No. 11.

"If Larry Bird is serious about the Pacers playing a faster tempo, the frenetic Grant could help. The son of Harvey Grant, he is an athletic dynamo, usually the most exciting player on the floor when he was in college. For a team that needs a versatile playmaker who can play point, Grant could be the perfect fit."

• Sam Vicenie of CBS Sports likes Kaminsky heading to the Pacers. Turner must wait.

"It seems the Pacers want a player that can come in and contribute immediately, and if that's the case they should look no further than last season's Wooden Award winner. He'd fit a positional need given the Pacers' uncertainty in the frontcourt with both Roy Hibbert and David West possessing player options for the final year of their contract. Plus, he'd give the Pacers a new element offensively to play with, as he'd provide shooting from the frontcourt as well as the ability to attack closeouts and score."

• NBADraft.net has the Pacers going with Payne at No. 11, leaving Turner and Kaminsky on the board. Their closest NBA comparison for Payne is the Pacers' current point guard, George Hill.

"Intelligent point guard with a great basketball IQ and feel for the game ... At 6-foot-3, has good height for the position ... Lefty scoring point guard who can mix things up with strong passing abilities."

• Chris Mannix at Sports Illustrated thinks the Pacers may go with Payne, with Kaminsky gone but Turner available.

"There are rumblings that Payne, the draft's fastest riser, could have a promise from Oklahoma City at No. 14. He may not get past Indiana though; the Pacers are starved for a dynamic point guard like Payne, a polished pick-and-roll guard who can create offense for himself and teammates."

• Aran Smith of Hoops Hype has Stanley Johnson coming to the Pacers, leaving Turner, Kaminsky, Grant and Payne available.

"The Pacers are said to be targeting Cauley-Stein and may look to move up a few spots to grab him. Another option would be Cameron Payne, who's seen as a younger version of George Hill. They are mentioned as a team that will also look to trade out if the player they want is not available. Johnson would give Indy, or a team trading into this spot, a versatile wing capable of becoming an excellent defender with intriguing ability to create off the dribble."

• Joe Kotoch at Sheridan Hoops has Payne coming to Indy, before Kaminsky and Turner get picked.

"The Pacers lack a dominant PG, and with Paul George returning next season, having a dynamic lead guard to handle the ball and put him in easier scoring options makes sense."