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Let’s rethink the Indiana Pacers trading Darren Collison idea

By Jonathan Matthes

SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 1: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 1, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 1: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 1, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers point guard Darren Collison
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 1: Darren Collison #2 of the Indiana Pacers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 1, 2018, at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but Darren Collison is on a roll. Collison’s demonstrating the type of production that the Indiana Pacers will need in playoff time. So, why is Indiana supposed to be trading him again?

I want to say this before I say anything else: this article is not an attack piece to Will Furr’s recent article arguing for trading Darren Collison. There are several compelling factors that back the Indiana Pacers trading Collison; one being that Collison is on an expiring contract and that it’s hard to imagine the Pacers keeping each member from their expiring contract gang (Collison, Bojan Bogdanovic, Tyreke Evans, Cory Joseph, Thaddeus Young, and Kyle O’Quinn). Another salient point was that the Indiana Pacers have ball-handling depth, so moving Collison for forward help would not be a significant loss. All fair points.

The third leg of his argument was that Collison was playing terribly and that moving him for almost anyone is an improvement because Collison’s play was hindering the team. And his play was for over a month.

It isn’t now.

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The first quarter of Collison’s season was historically bad for Collison. Careers lows in nearly every statistically important offensive category sans assists, which was his second worst behind his 2013-14 performance for the Los Angeles Clippers.

Then the Indiana Pacers played the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on the Monday after Thanksgiving, and something changed for Collison. It wasn’t just that it was the fourth time all year that he didn’t turn the ball over once, or that he finally began to shoot the three well (he didn’t, Collison missed his only attempt). It was how he played. He was more selective on his shot attempts and didn’t appear pressing. He also was more accurate in setting up teammates: his 11 assists was the most he’d dished since the 16 he dealt 398 days prior in a 23-point win, in Minnesota, during the fourth game of last season.

In other words, Collison looked more like the player he was a year ago than the ghost he appeared to be for the majority of 2018-19. In the eight games since Utah, Collison has posted career-best numbers in free-throw percentage, rebounds, assists, and steals. He’s shooting the three at the third best pace of his career. He’s turning the ball over at a rate better than his remarkable career average. Actually, his Assist to Turnover ratio is the fourth best in the league since November 26, and his 72 assists are tied with the New Orleans Pelicans’ Jrue Holiday for the most in the entire NBA.

I can anticipate one of your reactions: eight games is a small sample size blah blah blah. And yes it is, but that’s missing the forest for a singular cedar.

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