The Indiana Pacers are 3-7 in their last ten games and are in desperate need of a lift.
With the trade deadline approaching, could the Indiana Pacers look to make a move to help out the roster?
The NBA trade deadline is four days away. Could President of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard be brewing something up to improve the roster? Here are three trades that could immediately help impact the Pacers in a positive way.
Indiana Pacers receive a veteran asset
Back in 2012, the Indiana Pacers made a similar type of trade at the trade deadline. The Pacers ended up sending cash and a 2012 second-round pick to the Raptors in exchange for guard Leandro Barbosa in hopes that he could improve the bench.
If Kevin Pritchard is looking to upgrade the bench without giving up too many assets, this could be a potential move. Wayne Ellington would give the Pacers another three-point threat who is shooting 42 percent from behind the arc this season, tied for his career-best.
If Kevin Pritchard looks to bolster the bench at the deadline, Ellington would be a fantastic option for the Pacers.
The Indiana Pacers make a bigger splash
If the Pacers make a move, it would have to fill the need at the wing position. Josh Hart would be a very solid addition to the Pacers roster. Hart, on the last year of his rookie deal, is a very solid wing that can give you good defense, solid rebounding, and three-point scoring.
These are all things that translate well in head coach Nate Bjorkgren’s system. Hart is averaging 9.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.1 assists per game while posting an effective field goal percentage of 54 percent.
New Orleans would most likely want a little more in a deal with the Pacers. How much would Kevin Pritchard be will to part with for a half-season rental of the 26-year-old wing?
Could the Pacers get a wing defender?
This would be a masterful trade if the Pacers could pull this off. Kelly Oubre Jr. would give the Pacers some desperately needed wing defense and rebounding. Oubre has been having a decent year for the Warriors, averaging 15 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists per game.
A concern about Oubre is his shooting ability as he is shooting 30 percent from three-point range, the second-lowest percentage of his career.
Depending on the price Golden State puts on Oubre at the trade deadline, the Pacers would most likely have to throw something extra in. Oubre is in the final year of his deal as well so it may be considered a premium rental for the Pacers. This move could give the Pacers a little cap flexibility this coming summer as well.