With the NBA Draft coming soon, the Indiana Pacers have a multitude of options to consider with their first-round selection. One of those targets should be Tyler Herro.

With seven in-house free agents, the Pacers could draft a new point guard, a sharp shooting wing, or a stretch four. Just about every position other than center would appear to be on the table.

The Pacers won a coin flip to pick 18th instead of 19th or 20th. It’s the second time in the last three years that they’ve had that selection, taking T.J. Leaf in 2017. Pritchard was happy to end up at 18 in the season-ending press conference.

“This year I feel good that we’re going to get a good prospect,” Pritchard said.

Kevin Pritchard likes the 18th pick says there are 18 players he likes in the draft and seemed happy to win the coin flips to get 18 instead of 20. pic.twitter.com/gW4uIbG6X8 — iPacers.com (@iPacersblog) May 1, 2019

What Herro would bring to the Pacers:

Herro gets buckets. The biggest thing he would bring is his ability to put the ball in the basket in a variety of ways. He shot 46% from the field overall, 93% from the free-throw line and made 35% of his 3-point attempts.

Herro, who started all 37 games while averaging 14 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists, is exactly what the Pacers need: a knock-down 3-point shooter who can create their own shot. In Kentucky’s tournament run, Herro initiated the offense often, perhaps showing some point-guard skills. That would give him the ability to play either guard position.

The Pacers were one of the best three point shooting teams last year in terms of percentages, adding a player like Herro that can shoot that well will enable them to potentially take more attempts.

What NBA Draft sites are saying:

The Ringer Mock Draft: 24th

Big Board Rankings: 23rd, 26th, 29th

“Shooting is a premium skill in the NBA, and Herro displays the potential to be a dynamic shot maker and a well-rounded two-way player.”

The Stepien: Ranking & Tier: 22nd, Tier 5

NBADraft.net Mock Draft: 21st

Great strengths:

“Excellent shooter and floor spacer”

“Can handle initiating the offense at times”

“Creative finisher at the rim”

Glaring weaknesses:

“Not a great shot creator off the dribble”

“Lacks explosiveness when getting to the rim”

“Lateral quickness is a liability when defending quicker guards”

Tankathon Mock Draft: 18th

Promising stats:

Excellent Free Throw Shooter (93%)

Effective Field Goal Percentage (53%)

Disappointing stats:

Usage Rate (21%)

Free Throw Attempt Rate

Bleacher Report Big Board: 18th

“Though on and off throughout the season, Herro’s shooting off spot-ups, screens and leakouts remains convincing. His 1.4 PPP as a pick-and-roll ball-handler also highlight his ball skills and ability to make plays off the dribble. With a 6’4½” wingspan, Herro does lack length for a 2-guard, raising some concern about him getting his shot off cleanly or defending wings.” – Jonathan Wasserman

Background:

Herro was nominated for NCAA Tournament All-Midwest Region Team, Southeastern Conference Newcomer of the Year by the Associated Press, an All-SEC Second Team and All-Freshman Team pick by the league’s coaches.

Herro was a 2,000 point-scorer at Whitnall High School. During his senior year, Herro averaged 32.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 3.3 steals per game as a First Team All-State selection. He shot better than 50 percent from the floor and 43.5 percent from behind the arc. Also was tabbed the top-ranked recruit from the state of Wisconsin and was rated No. 30 overall by ESPN. Herro verbally committed to Wisconsin his senior year but later switched his commitment to Kentucky.