The Indiana Pacers have one of the more unique NBA Draft setups in the league this season. They hold many picks, yet none in the first round.

Indiana traded their first-round draft pick to Toronto, but they acquired selections from Toronto and New Oreans last season. That means the Pacers have three picks this year, and all of them are in the second round. In total, they are one of just seven teams with more than two picks, but the other six franchises all own a first-round choice. Five of them possess a lottery pick.

The Pacers know they are limited in this draft but still hope to add talent. It may be difficult for them to make three selections with their few available roster spots, but with three open two-way contract slots it is possible. Their highest pick is 36th overall.

“You can kind of see where the holes that you just need to fill in from a balanced depth chart [perspective]. But we’re always going to be trying to find the best player we can get, too,” Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said of the draft.

After 36, Indiana will pick 49th and 50th, barring trades. It’s an odd reality, yet one that is worth it for the blue and gold after acquiring Siakam. It’s rare to see a team have a high number of picks yet not have any in the first round with strong quality.

“With pick 36 we’ll probably try to get the best player we can get. Ideally, it’s at a position where we have a roster depth need,” Buchanan shared.

The Pacers will work out between 35 and 40 players as a part of their pre-draft preparation. Those sessions have featured up-tempo play and an easy-going vibe. NBA legend and Pacers consultant Larry Bird was at one of the workouts, which left a few prospects starstruck.

The NBA Draft begins on June 26 and spans two days this year for the first time ever.

Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball staff continue their hot streak in the NCAA Transfer Portal after adding their fourth pitcher this offseason: Indiana State’s Luke Hayden.

Hayden, a right-handed pitcher who shined for the Sycamores in 2024, is Baton Rouge bound with a chance to become a pivotal relief pitcher for the Tigers next season.

During the 2024 season, Hayden tallied 91 strikeouts in 78 innings pitched with a 3.81 ERA. The Indiana State stud adds to the Tigers’ impressive Transfer Portal haul, becoming the fifth addition in the last seven days.

Johnson and Co. have now reeled in Indiana State’s top two players from a season ago in both Hayden and slugger Luis Hernandez.

Hernandez revealed his commitment to LSU earlier in the week with the Tigers adding the electric power-hitter.

Hayden is the fifth transfer to announce his commitment to LSU.

A dive into the five Transfer Portal commitments:

Chandler Dorsey: South Florida

On Monday, LSU secured its first portal commitment after South Florida relief pitcher Chandler Dorsey announced he would be taking his talents to Baton Rouge.

The right-handed relief pitcher announced on social media:

“Blessed to announce my commitment to LSU to further my academic and baseball career,” Dorsey said via Instagram. “I want to thank God, my family and coaches who helped me throughout this journey! Geaux Tigers!”

Dorsey announced his intentions to depart South Florida after two years with the program.

During the 2024 season, the prized righty went 2-1 with eight saves and a 3.60 ERA (12 ER/30.0 IP) with a 1.20 WHIP. He also racked up 41 strikeouts on the season during year two with the Bulls.

Now, he’s Baton Rouge bound as the first commitment for LSU during the offseason after seeing nine departures over the last eight days.

Luis Hernandez: Indiana State

Hernandez revealed his commitment to Johnson and Co. on Tuesday with LSU adding a key piece to the lineup for the 2025 season.

After three years with the Sycamores, Hernandez entered the portal with a chance to find a change of scenery.

Now, he’s Baton Rouge bound with Johnson finding a talented power hitter to replace the likes of Tommy White and others.

The utility slugger finished his career with Indiana State batting .315 across his three years with the program. In 578 career at-bats, Hernandez tallied 182 hits, 118 runs, 32 home runs, 120 RBIs and has drawn 48 walks.

In 2024, he pieced together his most impressive year yet. Hernandez raked in 23 home runs with a .359 batting average and 76 runs batted in.

He has the chance to be a key component to what the Tigers do in 2025. A player who has played in the infield, catcher and served as designated hitter, Hernandez is a utility piece for LSU come next season.

Zac Cowan: Wofford

The All-SoCon right-handed pitcher went 10-2 with 124 strikeouts and 29 walks in 110 innings at Wofford this spring. Cowan also boasts a 3.35 ERA after dismantling opponents during the 2024 season with the Terriers.

It’s another big-time addition to the pitching rotation for Johnson and Co. as he continues working through Transfer Portal evaluations.

Now, he brings in an ace who’s proven he can compete at the highest level.

Cowan, who was one of the most sought-after transfers in the portal, will now head to Baton Rouge with the chance to earn a starting slot alongside several prominent arms.

Cowan is the third addition for LSU this offseason, joining South Florida right-handed pitcher Chandler Dorsey and Indiana State slugger Luis Hernandez.

Deven Sheerin: Mount St. Mary’s Pitcher

Jay Johnson and the LSU baseball staff remained hot in the NCAA Transfer Portal on Friday night after adding a commitment from Mount St. Mary’s Deven Sheerin.

The electric right-handed pitcher is fresh off of a dominant first season of college baseball after dismantling opponents in year one.

Sheerin logged a 4.76 ERA in 2024 with 109 strikeouts, 32 walks, 10 HBP and 37 earned runs in 70 innings pitched. The numbers speak for themselves, but Sheerin’s arsenal pitches has proven to be what makes him so lethal.

As just a freshman, his fastball has been clocked at 98mph while hovering in the 95mph range routinely.

The addition is another impressive one for Johnson and the Tigers, but the key factor here is that Sheerin won’t be eligible for the MLB Draft until 2026, meaning he’ll be in Baton Rouge for at least two seasons.

It’s a dynamic piece for the Tigers, and now with Sheerin in the mix, LSU has now secured a trio of immediate impact pitchers for the 2025 season.

Other LSU News:

LSU Baseball: Tigers Secure Commitment From Wofford Ace Zac Cowan

BREAKING: LSU Lands Commitment From Indiana State Slugger Luis Hernandez

LSU Baseball: Jay Johnson Reacts to Paul Mainieri Being Hired By South Carolina

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Country: @LSUCountry_FN for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.