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

7. Indiana Pacers grab Ausar Thompson

The Indiana Pacers' young core of Tyrese Halliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith is here to stay. They have a young, hard-working group of guys that all submit to their roles.

They also have solid veterans like Buddy Hield and Myles Turner. Now they have to make the right decision in the draft.

If Indiana wants to draft for fit, they likely take Taylor Hendricks. He could play the three or four and provide defensive versatility along with three-point shooting.

But with Ausar Thompson still on the board, the Pacers can't pass on him. Thompson averaged 16.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game for the City Reapers of Overtime Elite.

Thompson would take the role of the lockdown defender if the Pacers select him. Standing at 6'7 and having incredible athleticism, Thompson has the quickness and intangibles to defend multiple positions. He can switch on everything and plays with intensity.

Offensively, Thompson struggles as a shooter. This is one area of improvement that he'll have to work on once he enters the league, as teams let him shoot from outside while playing in the OTE. Being in Indiana would be great for him as they have plenty of shooters around him, and he could occasionally play some point forward as he has good ball-handing and passing ability.