Potential trades for the Pacers in the new year

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)

The NBA trade deadline is coming up sooner than you think in early February. Are there any trades the Pacers could make to improve their franchise outlook?

I think we can all admit no one saw the Indiana Pacers playing this well this early into the 2017-18 season. In June, President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard dealt his superstar Paul George for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, two players who had been underwhelming in their careers, to say the least. That move led everyone around the league and around the Pacers to believe the strategy for the season would be to “tank” for a high draft and prepare for a complete rebuild.

Fast forward to today and it is Kevin Pritchard who looks like the genius after all. Victor Oladipo is playing out of his mind and likely will be heading to Los Angeles as an all-star for the first time in his career, while Domantas Sabonis is averaging nearly a double-double off the Pacers bench in just his second year in the league.

However, I’ve heard it said that if you’re competing to be in the middle of the pack in the NBA you’re really competing to lose. In a league where tanking is rewarded with high draft picks, and only a few teams are able to contend for a championship, the question must be asked; where are the Pacers going? Are they a “rebuilding” team even though they are likely to finish in the top half of the Eastern Conference standings? Or are they a team that’s going to compete in the playoffs?

It’s apparent to me that another star could be used to pair with the blossoming young duo of Myles Turner and Victor Oladipo, particularly at the point guard position.

Here are several trades that could be made this season to help push the Pacers into the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference or at least help prepare them to take the next step into contention.

Remember, all of these trades are hypothetical. There have been no rumors of Indiana pursuing any of the players below.

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

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

Tier #2 – Indiana Pacers Upgrade Starters

Trade #1 – Miami Heat

Miami Heat Get: Darren Collison, Al Jefferson, Glen Robinson III, and protected 2020 first round pick

Indiana Pacers Get: Goran Dragic and Justice Winslow

Darren Collison and Goran Dragic aren’t too far apart when it comes to production over the last several years. However, we’ve all seen what Dragic is capable of doing when playing his best basketball.

The elite playmaking of Dragic would be an upgrade over Collison and would be welcomed fit next to Oladipo. While Dragic has had a down year statistically, it’s worth noting he has dealt with injuries and hasn’t been able to play with a lineup that’s up to far with what we’ve come to expect from the Miami Heat.

Miami would absolutely make this deal (contrary to popular belief) because of the flexibility it would begin to give them up against the salary cap. This offseason was the first that I can remember where legendary General Manager Pat Riley wasn’t able to land a star, and instead give out truckloads of money to pedestrian role players, while eliminating the ability to make trades for valuable assets. This deal helps them begin to get out from the ruble.

Acquiring a former top 10 pick in Justise Winslow, who hasn’t lived up to expectations but could benefit from a change of scenery and a top 15 point guard would be a great move for the Pacers, while the Heat get a future draft pick (which they don’t have a lot of) the expiring contract of Al Jefferson, a veteran point guard, and a quality wing player.

Trade #2 – Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies Get: Bojan Bogdanovic, Joe Young, Ike Anigbogu, 2018 First Round Pick

Indiana Pacers Get: Tyreke Evans, Brandan Wright

The average basketball fan likely has no idea who Tyreke Evans even plays for. A former top 10 pick, Evans has been mostly injured over the last several seasons but is experiencing a bit of a renaissance season this year for the struggling Memphis Grizzlies.

If the Grizzlies were smart they’d sell high and get as much value for him as possible.

Nate McMillan has shown this season he loves playing two point guard lineups late in games, and while Evans isn’t your traditional lead guard, he is a guy who can make plays all over the floor. Putting Evans, a player capable of playing three positions, on the floor with Darren Collison/CoJo and Victor Oladipo, gives the Pacers a very unique and versatile playmaking line up while not losing size or an edge defensively.

While Evans is an unrestricted free agent this offseason and will likely have a long list of suitors lining up at his door with a lot of money (not sure if Indiana would be one), he could be a good guy for the Pacers to look at as a rest-of-season rental.

Trade #3 – Los Angeles Lakers

LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 20: Julius Randle

Los Angeles Lakers Get: Thaddeus Young, Glen Robinson III, Damien Wilkins, and 2020 protected first round pick

Indiana Pacers Get: Julius Randle, Luol Deng, and 2019 first round pick

This is a deal that might leave a lot of people scratching their heads, especially with Luol Deng having one of the worst contracts in the NBA. However, getting the chance to acquire a player like Julius Randle, who I believe is on the verge of stardom with the right opportunity, is a deal you can’t pass up.

Yes, you take on a lot of bad salaries and give up a fan favorite in Thaddeus Young, but Luol Deng is only 32 years old and has the potential to still play in the NBA (hence the 4 years, 72 million dollar contract he signed last season). Deng is just two years removed from playing two very good seasons with Miami (averaged 14 points per game in 2014-15) and could be a good veteran addition to this young, inexperienced team. Especially, when you bring back a guy like Randle. While Randle will be a restricted free agent this offseason, the Pacers would have the opportunity to match any offer made by another team. This deal would set Indiana up well for the future. A trio of Myles Turner, Julius Randle, and Domantas Sabonis would instantly be one of the best young frontcourts in the NBA.

Trade #4 – Utah Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – DECEMBER 23: Rodney Hood

Utah Jazz Get: T.J. Leaf, Al Jefferson, Joe Young, 2018 second round pick and protected 2020 first round pick

Indiana Pacers Get: Rodney Hood and Joe Johnson

This is the trade that I think makes the most sense for the Pacers. Rodney Hood, unfortunately, has fallen victim to the Donovan Mitchell show this season and has been relegated to a bench role while the rookie has quickly developed into one of the league’s bright young stars.

Hood would be a huge upgrade to Bogdanovic, who has played well this season as a full-time starter but plays better as a teams sixth man. Hood (26) and the Jazz didn’t agree to a contract extension earlier this season, meaning he’ll be eligible for restricted free agency this offseason. The Jazz would be smart to get the best deal they can for him now, rather than letting him walk for nothing.