NBA Mock Draft: Indiana Pacers Select Cameron Payne from Murray State

SB Nation's NBA Network conducted a mock draft with bloggers from each team site making or trading "their" team's pick. We continue with the next pick in the 2015 NBA Mock Draft, with Indy Cornrows selecting Cameron Payne out of Murray State.

By Keith Schlosser Jun 22, 2015, 3:00pm EDT

NBA Mock Draft Pick #11 -- Cameron Payne, Guard, Murray State

SB Nation's Pacers blog, Indy Cornrows explains the pick:

With the 11th pick, the Indiana Pacers select point guard, Cameron Payne out of Murray State.

Larry Bird has mentioned speeding up the Pacers style of play but that won't be a full-time conversion next season, so despite the need for a versatile big man, Cameron Payne fills a desperate need for backcourt depth. Even better, that depth will be on a rookie contract while developing into a bigger role in the future.

C.J. Watson will not return and even if Donald Sloan does, Payne gives the Pacers a young guard who can score and despite his thin 6'2 frame, has a wingspan in excess of 6'7 which Frank Vogel covets on the defensive end. Payne can break into the playing rotation as an additional offensive threat off the bench, especially if Rodney Stuckey returns, as expected.

Payne left Murray State after his sophomore season when he averaged 20 points, six assists and and nearly four rebounds per game. Bird rarely drafts on the side of upside, but hopefully the success of his last attempt (Paul George) will let the Pacers fill a few different needs in the backcourt with one pick.