The NBA trade season is now open, should the Indiana Pacers get involved? If so, who would be on the move and who should be acquired to take the team to the next level?
Should the Pacers Make A Move?
As the Indiana Pacers are moving forward with its season, the team has had its ups and downs. But one of the better sights Pacers fans have seen so far this season is the improvement of Domantas Sabonis.
Sabonis has increased his points and rebounds per game since last season and is one of the top rebounders in the NBA.
On the other hand, his counterpart, Myles Turner, has had a roller-coaster first portion of the season. Seeing how Turner’s season is going, he may be a piece that could be moved before the trade deadline ends.
Why Myles Turner?
The shot blocker is simply not having a strong or consistent start to the season.
Turner is averaging lower in points, rebounds, and shooting percentages than he did last season. Plus, fans are wanting more from the center after signing a contract extension in 2018.
Turner signed a 4-year, $72 million extension in October of 2018 (NBA.com).
Then right before the 2019-2020 season kicked off, the Pacers negotiated a 4-year, $80 million extension with Sabonis (NBA.com).
So far, Sabonis has backed up his value with his play, but more is expected from Turner.
Even though Turner battled an ankle injury earlier this season, when healthy he has not met expectations.
If the Indiana Pacers traded Turner before the deadline, that could help release some cap space the Pacers could use in the next offseason.
Who Would Indiana Trade For?
Here is how many players the Pacers have on their roster by position
- PG: 4 (Malcolm Brogdon, Aaron Holiday, T.J. McConnell, Naz Mitrou-Long)
- SG: 3 (Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb, Edmond Sumner)
- SF: 4 (T.J. Warren, Doug McDermott, Justin Holiday, Brian Bowen)
- PF: 4 (Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Leaf, JaKarr Sampson, Alize Johnson)
- C: 2 (Myles Turner, Goga Bitadze)
After seeing how many players the Pacers have by position, a trade that could be of interest to Indiana is acquiring Cleveland Cavaliers power forward, Kevin Love.
The Cavaliers announced last week that they will begin listening to trade talks involving the veteran forward.
If the Pacers do make a trade with Cleveland, it will more than likely have to involve Turner and draft picks.
Kevin Love to Indiana Make Sense?
Love is in his 12th season. The NBA champion was traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Cavaliers when LeBron James returned to Cleveland.
Love is on the downslope of his career as he has experienced various injuries in the last couple of seasons.
Outside of that, would he be a good fit in Indiana?
Many, including myself, would love to see Love in a Pacers uniform, but it will come with a price hefty price tag
Love would be able to space the floor better than what Turner has shown, but Indiana would be losing a screen setter.
Love is a player that will fight for rebounds and will find seams in defenses, which is something Turner struggles with at times.
The only downfall of making this trade would be the management of Love’s contract.
After signing a 4-year, $120 million contract extension with the Cavaliers in 2018. It would be hard for Indiana to make this trade due to the money involved, but wouldn’t rule out Indiana making a few calls to Cleveland looking to negotiate.
The Pacers currently have a roster that is gaining momentum, therefore making a trade at this time could potentially be detrimental to the growth of the team. However, the Pacers’ front office must take into consideration anything that could have the team take that next step.
Expect for Turner’s name to remain in the headlines this trade season, but until the Pacers have something in the works, the team may remain as it is, especially with the return of Oladipo on the horizon.