Can Johnny Furphy make an impact for Indiana Pacers in year one?

In the 2024 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers took one of the surprise dropouts from the class in Kansas Jayhawks swingman Johnny Furphy. The Australian played one season in Lawrence, Kansas, where he averaged nine points, five rebounds, an assist and 1.2 stocks per game while shooting 46 percent from the floor, 35 percent from beyond the arc and 76 percent from the charity stripe.

While many predicted the 6-foot-9 wing would be taken in the first round, Furphy fell today to see him land among the Eastern Conference prospects with the No. 35 pick in June’s draft. Landing on the 47-win club seems like an ideal spot for Furphy, even when you factor in Rick Carlisle’s shaky track record playing rookies.

The 19-year-old could be the rare first-year player to crack Carlisle’s rotation if he can translate his Summer League success to the NBA level. Furphy is averaging 14 points, one assist, five assists and one steal per game in five games.

In this practice situation, Furphy is making 38 percent of his shots, 58 percent of which are uncontrolled catch-and-shoot attempts. That’s easy to achieve in an NBA environment dominated by Tyrese Haliburton.

Furphy looked athletic enough defensively to compete at the NBA level, while blowing catch-and-shoot opportunities and providing more athletic pop as a cutter than he often gets credit for. His high, soft hands with savvy cutting instincts could be a match made in heaven for the Pacers’ up-tempo offense and playmakers.

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