With no first-round pick in the draft, the Indiana Pacers could trade in
Currently in line for the 48th pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, the Indiana Pacers do not have a first-round pick.
Their first-round selection was sent to Milwaukee in the trade that brought Malcolm Brogdon to the Circle City in a sign-and-trade.
Indiana does owe Brooklyn a second-rounder, but it is protected from 45-60 in this year’s NBA Draft. Because the season was postponed and the Pacers are already in line for a playoff spot, it is likely they will keep the pick in 2020.
There are a number of current players on the roster that have faced trade speculation for the entirety of the 2019-20 season. Most of the roster is already under contract through at least the end of next season but there is a logjam for minutes at the point guard position and in the post.
What would the Pacers get in return if they elect to trade Myles Turner with the hopes Domantas Sabonis continues to improve with Goga Bitadze as a back-up? Could they trade one or multiple of the three back-up point guards between Aaron Holiday, T.J. McConnell, or Edmond Sumner? If Indiana wanted to trade into the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft, what kind of package would it take? And who would be worth trading into the first round?
Any package would likely require a star or starter such as Turner or Victor Oladipo (who will be in a contract season in 2020-21 unless the team agrees to an extension this offseason with him).
Without a star, any package would need multiple role players and a future first-round pick. In that package, a shooter like Doug McDermott could be shipped out with a backup guard and multiple picks.
Any and all trades are possible in what will be the strangest offseason in league history. If the Pacers had their eye on a first-round talent in the draft, they have the assets to get a trade done. Here’s a list of some expected first-round picks Indiana could have their eye on when it comes to trade negations.