What could the Pacers get in return for their first round draft pick?

This option is one that is mutually beneficial for the teams involved. The Trail Blazers head into this draft with three first round picks and likely only two available roster spots. They also are in need of cheap labor as they approach the luxury tax, so trading their picks for players who aren’t cheap isn’t an option. Therefore, trading up in the draft is a nice option for them.

For the Pacers, trading back offers a small amount of risk mitigation. The difference between the 18th and 20th pick in the draft isn’t crazy, and having two first-round picks instead of one offers more options going forward, which is very useful for a team potentially at a crossroads.

This option could fit on both the “keep PG” and “rebuild” timeline. Getting two good young players could convince PG to stay and would make the team have more youth talent. If the Blazers are shopping picks, the Pacers should look into a trade of this nature.

This trade is an interesting one. Monta Ellis is not worth his contract, plain and simple. The Pacers would have to trade an asset, presumably a draft pick, to have another team take on Monta Ellis, even if it’s only for one more season. However, a first-round pick is too much to give up just to trade a decent player like Ellis. That is where the Hawks come in.

Bazemore is worth less than the first-round pick on its own, but include bad salary with it and suddenly it’s a fair trade. The Hawks, who could be in the midst of a rebuild if Paul Millsap departs, will be searching for assets. If they can receive a first-round pick for Bazemore, they would happily do it, even if it means they have to pay Monta Ellis.

For the Pacers, Bazemore is a perfect 3-and-D guy to put next to PG. He can guard two through four and he can shoot the 3 reasonably well, he’s a career 35 percent shooter. He is also only 27, and while he is getting paid a lot, he is a good player in a position of need for the Pacers. He could slide right into the starting lineup on the wing next to PG. This trade would fall on the “convince PG to stay” timeline, and if it works out for the Pacers they could have an exceptional 3-point shooting starting lineup.