Draft Trade
• Pacers acquire Pick 36, Orlando Johnson, from Sacramento for cash considerations

Areas of Strength:
Depth is this team's greatest asset, with a solid and still developing starting five backed up by reliable role players (or in Darren Collison's case, an alternate starter for George Hill at point guard). Center Roy Hibbert and shooting guard Paul George still have the most developmental up-side as Indiana aims for the East finals and beyond next season.

Needs Work:
The Pacers don't have a superstar and thus no one to carry them down the stretch, whether it's by creating points or benefiting from refs' whistles. Danny Granger tries to fill that role but it's a tough one for a jump shooter.

Two Stats That Matter:
1.33 -- The Pacers' assists-to-turnover ratio, the result of ranking 29th in assists per game (18.61) and seventh in turnovers (14.02).

2.6 -- Average points margin for the Pacers on free throws. Indiana's self-described "smash-mouth" style of basketball sent opponents to the line 24.5 times, the fifth-most in the NBA. But the Pacers averaged 26.1 FTAs and hit 78.2 percent.

The Way To Go:
If Indiana sits at No. 26 on draft night, basketball boss Larry Bird will be looking to add depth or grab a sleeper. But he probably would prefer trading the pick in a package that would bring back a proven contributor. The future is fine but the Pacers want to win next season.

2011-12 Team Stats:
Offensive: 103.5 (9th)
Defensive: 100.4 (10th)

Under Contract:
G: Darren Collison
G: Lance Stephenson
G-F: Paul George
F: Danny Granger
F: David West
F: Tyler Hansbrough
F: Jeff Pendergraph

Free Agents:
F: Louis Amundson
G: Leandro Barbosa
C: Kyrylo Fesenko
C: Roy Hibbert (restricted)
G: George Hill (restricted)
G Dahntay Jones (unrestricted, player option)
G: A.J. Price (restricted)

Recent Draft History:
2011: Kawhi Leonard (15), Davis Bertans (42)
2010: Paul George (10), Lance Stephenson (40), Ryan Reid (57)
2009: Tyler Hansbrough (13), A.J. Price (52)
2008: Jerryd Bayless (11), Nathan Jawai (41)
2007: No picks
2006: Shawne Williams (17), Alexander Johnson (45)

-- Steve Aschburner