2011 NBA Draft Results: Winner-Indiana Pacers for Trading with Spurs

George Hill of the Spurs, now off to the Pacers via draft-day trade.
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

The Indiana Pacers had only one pick, but they made the most of it.

Indiana was stunned to see San Diego State super-athlete Kawhi Leonard on the board at 15, and they promptly snatched him up. This move was clearly a best-available pick, not a needs-based one. They had Leonard rated much higher, and his decline meant that his value at 15 was immense. Still, with Danny Granger and Paul George at forward, the pick didn’t make much sense.

The Pacers then took the Spurs up on their offer for young combo guard George Hill, a hometown player, in return for Leonard.

The Pacers essentially talked the Spurs down, because they were offering Hill or Tony Parker for a top 10 pick; the Pacers wrestled Hill away for the lowly 15th. The price was apparently right for the Spurs, and the discount was prime for the Pacers.

What the Pacers get is some stability at guard from an experienced guy who comes from a winner. Turmoil is the incumbent champion in the Indiana backcourt, with T.J. Ford, A.J. Price and the disappointing Darren Collison at point and a group of bench players at the two.

Hill will come in and start at the two most likely, and spend a lot of time handling the ball as well. He immediately becomes the best guard on the team, which counts as improvement through the draft for the Pacers.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things related to the NBA Draft.

--Jason Heim

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