Nate Taylor

nate.taylor@indystar.com

Nineteen players are scheduled to hear their names called in Thursday’s NBA draft before the Indiana Pacers make their selection. The 20th pick in the draft rarely produces an exceptional player, but that’s the Pacers’ task.

Find a hidden star. Select a future contributor. Continue to build a roster with another talented player.

President Larry Bird should have plenty of options when the Pacers are on the clock. Bird, though, must strike the correct balance in picking a player who is capable of being in the rotation next season and improving into a potential starter soon thereafter. Fans should not expect the Pacers to be as fortunate as they were in last year’s draft when they selected Myles Turner with the 11th overall pick. But with the roster full of veterans, the Pacers need to use the 20th pick to add depth and youth.

If you look at almost any mock draft, you will find a different player's name located next to the Pacers. With no clear consensus based on projections just three days before the draft, here are five prospects Indiana should consider – based on roster needs – if they are available at the 20th spot.

Taurean Prince, PF/SF, Baylor

Prince is expected to be chosen in the first round after the lottery teams are done. At 6-8 and 220 pounds, Prince has the prototypical size and speed of an NBA player who could play and guard multiple positions. His best asset, besides his size, is his shooting ability (36.1 percent from behind the 3-point line last season).

Last week, Prince had an impressive workout in front of Bird and others in the Pacers’ front office. What makes Prince intriguing is that he has improved each year since high school in San Antonio. He is also an adequate passer and was a solid defender in college, an aspect that could improve under the Pacers’ coaching staff.

If the Pacers select him, Prince’s role could be to play the stretch power forward position to create more space for other perimeter players such as Paul George, C.J. Miles and Monta Ellis. The few issues involving Prince: He struggles to dribble well in traffic and he will have to improve in pick-and-roll defense.

Best and worst Pacers draft picks under Larry Bird

Demetrius Jackson, PG, Notre Dame

It is possible the Pacers could use the 20th pick to bolster their depth at the point guard position. Jackson was a quick and speedy point guard at Notre Dame who could score (15.8 points per game last season) as much he can create (4.7 assists).

Although Jackson is not the tallest player at his position in the draft at 6-2, he has shown the ability to score from the perimeter and in transition. Jackson would not be the starter next season, but he would join second-year player Joe Young in competition for the starting job in the future.

Jackson could also be some insurance for the Pacers if the team is unable to acquire a high-quality point guard in free agency. Sure, the Pacers will target Mike Conley and maybe Atlanta’s Jeff Teague (in a possible trade), but that does not mean they will be successful in bringing one of those players to Indianapolis.

Brice Johnson, PF, North Carolina

When it comes to frontcourt players, Johnson is one of the smoothest and most polished in the draft. His value is in his overall skill set – he can shoot, rebound, defend, run and score in the open court. Johnson, who is 6-10 and 230 pounds, worked out for the Pacers last week.

Johnson’s addition would help the Pacers bolster their frontcourt. Veterans such as Solomon Hill, Jordan Hill and Ian Mahinmi could leave in free agency, which would allow Johnson to be an option in coach Nate McMillan’s rotation.

Wade Baldwin IV, PG, Vanderbilt

Another point guard guard option, but Baldwin is 6-4 and a consistent shooter from the perimeter. He showed last season that he is capable of being an all-around player, averaging 14.1 points, 5.2 assists and 4 rebounds per game.

The issue for Baldwin is that he was inconsistent at times in college. He struggled most on defense and will likely need a few years to develop no matter which team selects him. But Baldwin’s size allows him to play multiple positions and be a guard who could play alongside another point guard on the Pacers’ roster.

Where the Pacers pick: No. 20 NBA draft picks over 20 years

Domantas Sabonis, PF, Gonzaga

In all likelihood, Sabonis will be selected before the 20th pick.

Yet previous drafts have shown that for various reasons, a talented player can fall from where he should probably have been taken. This could happen to Sabonis, the son of Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, for a couple of reasons. The league is mostly dominated by guards and a number of teams ahead of the Pacers could make that a priority. Also, players from Gonzaga have not had have much success in the NBA, a bias that some teams might consider when making a first-round selection.

But if Sabonis were available to the Pacers, the power forward would be a wise selection. He averaged 17.5 points last season as a sophomore, is an aggressive rebounder (11.8 per game) and moves well for his size at 6-10 and 230 pounds.

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

He couldn't read the recipes, now he's pastry chef for Pacers

Get all the insight on the Pacers by downloading our app: http://bit.ly/1BR4fDs