Indiana Pacers: Potential trades for the inconsistent Aaron Holiday
By Sam Black
Trade #1: The Indiana Pacers acquire an ultra intriguing wing prospect from the Washington Wizards
Why would the Indiana Pacers do this trade?
As I’ve written about extensively before, the Pacers are in dire need of a wing that can add plus value defensively within Indy’s system. Ideally, they’d aim for someone who also adds something of use offensively, and Washington Wizards Guard/Forward hybrid Troy Brown Jr. could in fact be this ideal player.
Troy Brown Jr. is a 21-year old wing oozing with true point forward potential with incredible basketball IQ inside a 6-foot-6, 215-pound body that supplies a 6-foot-10 wingspan.
Defensively he may never be a top-level on-ball stopper due to suspect lateral movement, but his strength and speed of light like reflexes paired with the aforementioned 6’10 wingspan, beautiful defensive intuition, great on-ball stances, and fundamentals make him a special defensive playmaker.
Off the ball is where his defensive mastery lies, as his rotations and play recognition have the potential to add immense value on a team like the Pacers that has trap-heavy tendencies where he can pick off passes and demolish opponents in transition like he is accustomed to doing.
Offensively he shows real playmaking potential thanks to a more than serviceable handling bag and passing vision that allows him to hit Sabonis-like dimes to cutting wings and bigs. He’s also a great skip passer, and sets with Troy, Brogdon, and Sabonis would present a plethora of playmaking options.
He projects as an alright shooter, as he’s got solid mechanics on a quick release, he just hasn’t shot more than 3 attempts in a season. As a driver, he has the ability to put opponents on a poster, but he does lack some of the quickness needed to be elite in that regard.
Why would the Washington Wizards do this trade?
As solid as a prospect TBJ maybe, the Washington Wizards haven’t exactly bought into truly developing the former 15th pick in the 2018 draft. With the recent forward-centric drafts they’ve had in the past couple of years with Rui Hachimura and Deni Avdija, it’s unlikely a team that also acquire Russell Westbrook to win would be focused on the future.
With the aforementioned Deni Avdija claiming the point forward role of the future, and the Wizards lacking a backup point guard more serviceable than Ish Smith, it makes a whole lot of sense for them to be hungry for scoring behind Russ and Beal.
Insert Aaron Holiday, a 24-year-old who has flashes of three-level scoring and playmaking. The Wizards would have an opportunity to aid that win column now and for the future with a young core of Rui, Holiday, Deni, and whoever the inevitable high draft selection of this year will be.