2023 NBA Mock Draft: Mavericks land defensive stopper, Warriors add another shooter

29. Indiana Pacers take Dariq Whitehead

The Indiana Pacers have three picks in between 26 and 32 and decide to go with the best player available with the 29th overall pick. They select Dariq Whitehead, and this could be one of the better steals from the draft.

Whitehead averaged 8.3 points, one assist, and 0.8 steals per game last season at Duke. This may not be the most flashy pick, but his upside as a scorer should excite the Pacers. He has great pull-up game and is comfortable with the ball in his hands. If he’s not pulling up from mid-range or knocking down a three, he’s probably getting to the basket.

He finishes effectively with both hands and can finish through contact.

He is also a good on-ball defender. Whitehead has a 6’9 wingspan and can guard both guard spots and wings. He is a competitor on this end of the floor and plays hard.

One of the biggest reasons that Whitehead fell so far in the draft is his injury history. He has had two foot surgeries recently, and teams could be afraid to use a first-round pick on a player that has been injury prone. He was the No. 2 player in the class of 2022 according to 247 Sports and has tons of potential.

Indiana has the leeway to make this selection, and they should take a chance on Whitehead.