The Indiana Pacers are gearing up for the NBA Draft with two valuable second-round picks: No. 38 and No. 54, following a trade that added another pick to their arsenal.

This year's NBA Draft kicked off with the Dallas Mavericks selecting Cooper Flagg first overall, while notable talents from Duke, including Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach, also found their names called early. As teams strategize, the Pacers aim to capitalize on the potential hidden gems typically found in the second round.

Recent history shows that championship-caliber players can emerge from this round, with examples like Nikola Jokic and Jalen Brunson making significant impacts in the league. The Pacers are keen to identify the best available talent, particularly among exciting prospects like Chaz Lanier and Rasheer Fleming, who have made strong marks at their respective colleges.