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The Pacers take two risks on June 24 that change the course of the franchise. Despite an uneven season at Fresno State, George blew the Pacers away at the pre-draft camp in Chicago and then in a private workout in Indianapolis. They like his length and athleticism but also his personality.

There's pressure on the Pacers to draft local favorite Gordon Hayward of Butler, but the Pacers have both Ed Davis of North Carolina and George ahead of Hayward on their draft board. Things fall into place when the Raptors take Davis eighth and the Utah Jazz select Hayward with the No. 9 pick, which makes George available to Indiana at No. 10. Another future All-Star is chosen.

Stephenson is a risky pick because of numerous disciplinary and legal troubles. He's the kind of player the Pacers, concerned about their image, have avoided in recent years. Yet Mackey pushes Bird hard to consider him and the front office vets him extensively, as they believe the player development program they have in place could mold Stephenson.

Once considered a possible lottery pick, Stephenson slips to the 40th pick where the Pacers nab him. With this leverage, the Pacers convince Stephenson to take a four-year contract worth a total of just $3.35 million with little money actually guaranteed.

Less than a month later, Stephenson is arrested again, though the case is later dismissed. After a rocky rookie season and a somewhat unimpressive second season, Stephenson matures into a budding star and his reasonable long-term contract allows the Pacers to add pieces to their team.