The workout marathon continues. Today's crop are all potential G-League or Two-Way prospects, with the exception of one, who could sneak into the end of the first round.

Ironically, the lone prospect that I think has a chance of being drafted by the Pacers is not former National College Player of the Year Oscar Tshiebwe, but Julian Phillips, the freshman forward out of the University of Tennessee.

Julian Phillips

Phillips makes a good deal of sense for the Pacers. He's exactly the type of player we are missing on the roster: a long, versatile forward who can guard up and down the lineup.

Measuring in at 6'6.75'' without shoes and a 6'11'' wingspan, he reminds me a bit of a skinnier Herb Jones coming out of college. He's a very good on-ball defender who specializes in checking forwards but can hold his own against guards and centers. Due to his excellent length and quick feet, he's very effective on switches.

He also jumped out of the gym at the combine. His 43'' max vert put him in the 99th percentile for small forwards, while his 36'' standing vert merely scored in the 98th.

A smart cutter with decent touch around the rim, he should get spoon fed some easy looks playing with Hali, Nembhard, and TJ. He's also adept at crashing the offensive glass and creating opportunities for himself outside of the framework of the offense.

The reason we're talking about him as a fringe-first, likely-second round pick is that he only shot 24% from three and didn't show much in the way of an in-between game. He projects as a prototypical 3-and-D, so if he can't do the first part, he could struggle to find minutes.

However, there's reason for hope. His mechanics aren't terrible, he shot an excellent 82% from the line, and he shot well as an AAU player. He's still a young prospect and I wouldn't bet against him becoming an adequate shooter in time.

Phillips' size, athleticism, touch from the free throw line are the types of traits I'd love to bet on at 29 if we weren't in a roster crunch. He'll need time to develop and I think trying to get him on a Two-Way makes the most sense.

Tagged in: