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Pacers Have 11th Pick in 2015 NBA Draft

The Pacers didn't win the lottery on Tuesday night, but they still have an excellent pick in this year's loaded NBA Draft. Indiana will pick 11th in the 2015 draft, which will be held on June 25 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Pacers President Larry Bird attended the televised portion of the lottery on Tuesday night in New York City, while Director of Media Relations was present for the actual lottery, which took place in a secure room shortly before the telecast.

Each of the 14 teams that didn't reach the playoffs in the 2014-15 season had a chance to win the lottery, which determines the top three picks. Picks 4-14 are then ordered based on regular season record.

Little changed on Tuesday night. The Minnesota Timberwolves won the lottery to end up with the top pick, the first time the team with the worst regular season record won the top pick since 2004. The only surprise was the Los Angeles Lakers, who had the fourth-worst record last season, jumping up to the second position. The New York Knicks, owners of the second-worst record, fell to fourth, behind the Timberwolves, Lakers, and Philadelphia 76ers.

The Pacers have some good history with the 11th overall pick. Indiana drafted Hall of Famer Reggie Miller with the 11th overall selection in 1987.

The Blue & Gold also had the 11th pick in 2008 and selected Jerryd Bayless. They then traded Bayless and Ike Diogu to Portland for Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack, and Josh McRoberts.

Bird, for one, is optimistic that the Pacers will come away with a productive player with this year's pick.

"The talent pool this year is very good," Bird told ESPN's Heather Cox during the ESPN telecast of Tuesday night's lottery.

In addition to the 11th pick, Indiana also owns the 43rd overall pick, the 13th selection in the second round.