Ryan Carr, CEO of the Pacers, discusses the importance of pick number 6
INDIANAPOLIS — The Pacers’ vice president of personnel, Ryan Carr, usually speaks to the media only once a year prior to the NBA draft, but this year is different. Indiana will pick sixth overall on Thursday, marking the first number-one pick since 1989, and the franchise knows the stakes are high.
“It’s been a long time coming, and obviously you want every player you choose to succeed, no matter the number,” Carr said. “But the sixth choice, this guy, we want it to be a staple piece for us, and (we) are looking to add that piece.”
Carr said he expects about seven players to be considered among the top five picks, and the Pacers are doing their due diligence on anyone who might be left out.
Benedict Mathurin of Arizona, Jonny Davis of Wisconsin and A.J. Griffin of Duke have conducted individual training for Indiana State, and Carr revealed on Tuesday that Iowa star Keegan Murray had visited an unannounced one-on-one training as well. Other headliners hosted by the Pacers are Dyson Daniels of G League Ignite and Shaedon Sharpe of Kentucky, who both participated in group workouts.
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Sharp has become a bit of a mystery after choosing not to play for the wildcats during his only season there, and Carr said he appreciated the chance to see the 19-year-old up close.
“I gave him a lot of credit,” Carr said. “They decided they were going to (make) him do competitive exercises, which, again, I give a lot of credit for because we didn’t get to see him very often. …His journey was so unique, so it was really good. We’re obviously excited to get him here.”
Carr, as expected, hasn’t revealed his big board or the players he favors. But from the outside looking in, Purdue’s Jaden Ivey is on a different level than his aforementioned peers, and Carr thinks hard of him.
Ivey didn’t work out for Indiana, but the team met him at the NBA Draft Combine, attended his pro day and recently spoke to him through a Zoom call.
“His speed, I think, is what sets him apart,” Carr said. “There aren’t a lot of guys with that kind of speed, being able to hit the edge and score. And then he’s really improved over the last couple of years with his shot and he’s shown his ability to hit 3 seconds….someone that’s fast, if they can hit it nicely and go by your side, no.” I know how to guard him.”
According to Carr, the Pacers “have absolutely no reservations about[Ivy],” but it would likely take a deal with Indiana to come forward and recruit him. Carr said the franchise “feels really good” about pick #6, but it’s always brainstorming ways to move up or down in the draft.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski mentioned that veteran goalkeeper Malcolm Brogdon is “likely” to be traded this week, and Washington and New York could be potential candidates in exchange for the 10th and 11th picks, respectively. Carr did not address any specific business scenarios and said his job was to evaluate and make suggestions to team boss Kevin Pritchard and general manager Chad Buchanan so that “all questions can be answered”.
After visiting with dozens of players before the draft, Carr said the most satisfying part each year is getting to know them beyond what they do on the field.
“(Mathurine) is a great example. He’s been through a lot,” Carr said of his hometown of Montreal. “He’s been in Mexico, he’s been all over the place to play. French is his first language…and for a kid like him, (he) probably learned to use that to motivate himself and be the player he can be. He was a fun kid to get to know.”
Of course Carr can’t base his decisions on who he thinks “could be a friend of mine,” so his approach is to find a balance between what the team needs and what the player offers.
“The season to get here hasn’t been full of fun,” Carr said of the Pacers finishing 25-57. “But hopefully (pick number 6) it’s the reward for all the players, our guys, who are going through a tough season and our entire crew, and hopefully we’ll be able to help us get back to where we want to be.”