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

Here is a trade that is mutually beneficial and fits both timelines. The Mavericks are probably on their last year of Dirk. Then, it becomes rebuild time. They will be looking to add any first-round picks. The Pacers get a great young rim runner on a cheap deal in Powell, who can play with Turner/PG and with bench units, and additionally get Liggins who showed flashes of great wing play in Cleveland and is on a team friendly contract.

A lot of people have been suggesting/predicting that the Pacers will pick John Collins with this pick. Dwight Powell is essentially John Collins’ ceiling at this point, in my opinion. The Pacers could get that guy now.

This would be an admittedly underwhelming return for the Pacers in terms of big names or franchise changing players, but this move would help the Pacers have some solid talent for years to come, regardless of if they are rebuilding or contending with Paul George.

The Timberwolves are a team ready to start contending next season, and Tyus Jones is not a part of their plans to be competitive. He has been solid in limited minutes in Minnesota, but due to a combination of Ricky Rubio’s exceptional defense and passing, as well as Kris Dunn’s potential (which may actually not exist), he has fallen out of the rotation. Omri Casspi is a solid 3-and-D guy who’s coming off an injury, and while the Timberwolves could use the shooting, they could also use cheap players as their team is about to get very expensive.

Hence why they would want the 18th pick. They could use it to draft a cost controlled third point guard for their roster. The Pacers would get a good depth and youth and a draft pick in exchange for their pick.

Here, the Pacers are gambling on Jones. He has been solid in Minnesota so far (his PER last season was higher than CJ Miles, a full two points higher than Joe Young, and four points higher than Aaron Brooks), and he has potential to be even better if he got more minutes. Throw in a great 3-and-D guy in Casspi who can play with starters and bench units, and offers spacing? That’s a pretty good haul for the Pacers, and the second-round pick would make this trade fair for both sides.