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How the Russell Westbrook Trade Impacts the Pacers

By Aditya Rupade

Nov 15, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday (3) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 15, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard Russell Westbrook (0) handles the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday (3) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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How does the Westbrook trade impact the Pacers?

A “Woj Bomb” hit the NBA at approximately 11:55 AM on Wednesday morning sending ripples through the NBA. Russell Westbrook has reportedly been shipped to the nation’s capital in exchange for John Wall and a protected first-round pick. Westbrook joins Bradley Beal to form one of the most formidable backcourts in the entire league. Westbrook averaged 27.2 points per game last season, indicating he is still a very productive and dangerous player.

This trade directly impacts the Indiana Pacer’s playoff seeding for the upcoming NBA season. The former MVP instantly makes the Washington Wizards a playoff team in the Eastern Conference, creating a log jam in the bottom half of the playoff picture in the East.

Next season the play-in tournament means that the seventh through tenth seed will have to win at least one game to secure a playoff spot. This is exactly where the Pacers could end up next season thanks to the addition of Russell Westbrook in the Eastern Conference.

The Indiana Pacers will have to gel instantly from the get-go to avoid being the seventh seed or lower in the shortened NBA season. There shouldn’t be too many chemistry issues as the Pacers are retaining the same starting five from last season. The Pacers finished fourth last season which is encouraging going into next season.

However, this could also work against the Pacers as they haven’t made any major improvements on their roster whereas many other Eastern Conference teams have. The Nets will get a healthy Kevin Durant, the Celtics solved their center issue by adding big man Tristan Thompson, the Sixers added much-needed shooters, the Bucks added one of the most underrated players in the league in Jrue Holiday, and the Miami Heat are running it back with a similar squad that swept the Pacers in the bubble during the first round of the playoffs.

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