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Potential trades for the Pacers in the new year

By Jacob Lane

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Cory Joseph #6 of the Indiana Pacers goes for a lay up against the New York Knicks on December 4, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 4: Cory Joseph #6 of the Indiana Pacers goes for a lay up against the New York Knicks on December 4, 2017 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 3: Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets goes through a workout as part of Basketball Without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg on August 3, 2017, in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – AUGUST 3: Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets goes through a workout as part of Basketball Without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg on August 3, 2017, in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa.  (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Tier 1 Trades – Indiana Pacers acquire a superstar

Trade Scenario #1 – Charlotte Hornets

Charlotte Hornets Get: Darren Collison, Joe Young, T.J. Leaf, protected 2018 first-round pick, 2019 second round pick, and 2020 second round pick swap

Indiana Pacers Get: Kemba Walker, Johnny O’Bryant III, and Michael Carter-Williams

Even with the resurgence of Dwight Howard, it hasn’t been enough for Charlotte to make a push for the bottom of the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Charlotte actually has been one of the most disappointing teams this season, which may finally be enough for General Manager Rich Cho to see what many have been seeing for years; it’s time for a rebuild.

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The most tradeable asset on the team is all-star point guard Kemba Walker, who has one of the friendliest, and most tradeable contracts in all of the NBA (currently making just $12 million per year). While Charlotte should demand a lot for a superstar like Kemba Walker, a package that consists of a veteran and quality starting point guard Darren Collison, 2017 first round pick T.J. Leaf, backup guard Joe Young, and a slew of picks to help the Hornets ramp up the rebuilding process should suffice.

Though Walker is a dynamic playmaker, I’m not sold 100% on the fit of with the current makeup of the Pacers team, especially next to Victor Oladipo. Both guards play with a score-first mentality, they need the ball in their hands to make plays.  However, when you get a chance to acquire a dynamic player like Kemba Walker, you do it. Michael Carter-Williams, a former top 10 pick, and big man Johnny O’ Bryant would both be fillers in the trade to make all of the money match for both teams but wouldn’t likely play roles with the current makeup of the Pacers roster.

Trade #2 – Memphis Grizzlies

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 24: Mike Conley
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 24: Mike Conley /

Memphis Grizzlies Get: Darren Collison, Al Jefferson, Bojan Bogdanovic, T.J. Leaf, 2018 protected first round pick, 2019 2nd round pick, and 2020 protected first round pick

Indiana Pacers Get: Mike Conley Jr, James Ennis III, Wayne Selden Jr.

As far as acquiring a superstar mid-season goes, I’d say this trade is the most realistic. The Grizzlies have by far been the most disappointing team this season. After firing Head Coach David Fizdale just twenty games into the season after leading the Grizzlies to the playoffs with an extremely depleted roster, the team seems to be in absolute disarray.

Mike Conley Jr. would be the perfect fit next to Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner, and although he has dealt with nagging injuries over the past few seasons and does have one of the biggest contracts in NBA history, he is a player that could instantly elevate the Pacers. When playing at the top of his game Conley is a guy who makes everyone around him twice as good as they really are (or so it seems). For the several years that the Grizzlies made deep playoff runs, most of the success could be pinpointed back to the leadership and team-first mentality of Mike Conley.

The Grizzlies get a slew of draft picks to jump-start their rebuild, a quality guard in Darren Collison, Al Jefferson’s somewhat expiring contract, and a experienced wing in Bojan Bogdanovic. The Pacers bring back a quality 3 & D wing in James Ennis III, who showed potential to be a starting small forward last season, as well as Wayne Selden Jr. who came on strong as the team’s starting shooting guard in 2017.

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