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

This trade is an investment in the poor future of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Hawks received this first-round pick in an Adreian Payne trade in 2015, and the Timberwolves lottery protected it. The Pacers could want that pick if they believe that Minnesota will barely be a playoff team next year (which looks pretty likely) and that pick would be around 15-20. Throw in a 2019 Cavs first (top 10 protected but if they are still good then it’s basically a late first) and the best pick in the second round and now you are getting somewhere.

For the Hawks, a team that recently admitted they will not be giving the max to Paul Millsap (which means he is probably gone), they will be rebuilding and will want assets now. If they can get a solid first-round pick AND a second-round pick for two protected firsts (that both could be bad) and a second, they would surely consider it. They would also want the cheap, but still potentially contributing, rookie now as opposed to later because they are still an expensive roster with Dwight Howard, Dennis Schroder and the aforementioned Bazemore.

The Pacers would be headed down a post-Paul George timeline with this trade. The first pick in the second round would still land the Pacers a good player for a rebuild, and having two first round picks in two consecutive drafts is a great way to start a rebuild. Sure, punting on this draft hurts, but it also makes the team worse and increase their draft position for next year (when they would now have two firsts). This could be a trade that makes sense for both teams.