The Indiana Pacers trade Victor Oladipo to the Phoenix Suns
Pacers: Kelly Oubre Jr., Frank Kaminsky, 10th pick in 2020 NBA Draft
Suns: Victor Oladipo
At first glance, I can understand why Pacers fans would be upset with this trade. On paper, it doesn’t look sexy, but I think this would be a solid trade. Kelly Oubre Jr. is coming off the best season of his career where he averaged 18.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, and two STOCKS (steals + blocks) a game. The 24-year-old exploded on the scene in Phoenix even though you could make the argument of “Good stats, bad team” with him. If the Pacers wanted to go with a bigger lineup he could be a major piece for that. Also, through the past 5 years, Oubre Jr. has similar win shares to our own T.J. Warren. Oubre Jr. is heading into a contract year next year as well.
Kaminsky has a team option for next season and the Suns would have to exercise that for this particular trade to happen. Kaminsky would provide a stretch 5 off the bench for the Pacers. Kaminsky averaged 9.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game all while having an effective field goal percentage of 51.6 percent. Kaminsky would provide solid bench minutes as the big and allow Goga Bitadze to develop a little bit more before throwing in major rotation minutes off the bench.
The Suns also throw in the 10th pick of the upcoming draft to sweeten the deal. The Pacers would get two very solid role players and a top 10 pick they can develop for the future of this team. This trade doesn’t blow your socks off, but it’s very solid in the least especially for a star that is trying to find their way back after a devastating injury.