Niekel Walker Alexander is also a great scorer. He's not going to give you as high of scoring number's Mathurin will on a nightly basis of 25ppg. But he can score at least 15 to 20 most all games. While he's much better on Defense, he's been known for his defense since he's been in the league and that will be extremely valuable to the Pacers +/- and wins come next season. He's also going to be on contract for the next 4 years and about 10 million dollars cheaper than what Mathurin will want. NWA is also a combo guard who can not only shoot it fairly well, but can also get downhill and replace some of what they will lose trading away Mathurin. They're about the exact same size as well at 6'5 and NWA is also a better passer and possibly a better ball handler as well. Especially when he's moving, because he is a bit faster than Mathurin. Even though Ben Mathurin is slightly a better athlete as for vertical. NWA is a scrappy tough nose guard, who will fight over screens and get steals to keep the Pacers out in transition.

It seems like a lot to give the Hawks Mathurin and Jarace. Former #6 and #7 overall draft picks so soon. Because we know Mathurin will become a Star for sure. Jarace could also break out in the Hawks system. But we can't get too much for Jarace right now given the fact no one has seen him in what his real role imo is.. which is the PF on a consistent basis. Hawks can do that.. So if we can get even a bit of draft capital, one 1st and a couple 2nds. That would be great for the Pacers. As we can use those picks for this year's draft and secure all the positions we need. Because there are imo, a whole handful of guy's I'd love to have. Same with trading I-Jax and Sheppard (I like Shepp), he will bounce back. Hate to see him go. But if we could swap them a future 1st with a protection, along with some 2nds to sweeten the deal and because getting Jalen Smith back alone is worth a few 2nds. Get a 2026 protected 1st from them. Seeing as they have two anyways and a 2nd in 2026. They may prefer to get a 2027, or a 2028 1st for their 2026 1st. Giving us another player we can use to get ourselves headed back in the right direction. Now it won't be a high pick, but should be decent. Because Bulls are playing pretty good this season. As it will also likely have a Top 3 or 5 protection if not top 8. Depends on what the Pacers can work out with the Bulls on those protections and what protection they'd like on the 1st we'd be swapping them for. I'd want no more than top 5 protection. Because I'd want to assure we get our pick this year.. But we could also trade it for someone else's first if they get to keep it and go back further in the draft a bit. There's tons of good player's projected late in this draft I'd love to have.

If I'm the Pacers this is what I'm trying to do. Draft AJ Dybansta, or Chris Cenac Jr.(Biggest Upside of any C in the Draft. Great Athlete, Excellent Defender, Amazing Touch around the basket, with a phenomenal KD like shot from everywhere on the floor. Has a decent motor, but will he use it as consistently needed every time down the floor. Or will he rely too much on his athleticism instead of staying ready to block shots? I think he will eventually become the best C in the draft. But he's not as developed IQ wise as Hannes Steinbach) It's easily AJ Dybansta, or Chris Cenac Jr with the 1st pick imo. Then if you have a few more picks. Take Cameron Carr(High Motor, Difference Maker, Extreme Athlete, Great/Lightning Fast Defender with Jamal Murray/Spida Mitchell Scoring Abilities), or Hannes Steinbach(Most NBA ready polished C in all of College, Nothing he can't do, Inside/Out/High IQ. Maybe a Darius Acuff Jr.(shoot,slash,create,pass,6'4 strong/athletic), Dash Daniels(Dyson Daniels brother with same tools),or my favorite sleepers in Neoklis Avdalas(6'9 Franz Wagner/Bogdan Bogdonovic), Keaton Wagler(18yrs.Tyrese Haliburton), Henri Veesar and last but not least. Two guy's I really want. Baba Miller and Moustapha Thiam. Baba Miller would be the better version Myles Turner never could be. Thiam could stretch, is mobile and is 7'3 and could guard the Wembys, Chelsea, Jokers and Embiids.. Also Mouhamed Sylla is another solid C, although he's only 6'10, he gets slightly higher averages than Moustapha Thiam. But I personally like Thiam and believe in him more. Aday Mara is a solid big, but too slow and couldn't guard anyone outside the paint. Plus he shoots 30% from the FT line. Flory Bidunga would be a solid pickup, because he's great defensively, mobile and great inside. But needs to develop an outside shot to make this Pacers team over these other guy's.