Indiana Pacers: Ranking the best teams to trade with in the offseason

Ideal trade partner for the Indiana Pacers: Charlotte Hornets

Rejuvenated by star rookie LaMelo Ball’s ascent, the Charlotte Hornets are one of the up-and-coming teams in the East. With solid young talent and reliable veterans in the roster, making the playoffs are basically a matter of when, and not if for this squad.

However, it’s no secret that the Hornets are greatly lacking in the center position, with Al Jefferson effectively being their last upper-echelon big way back in 2014. Since then, Charlotte has relied on makeshift center rotations and average bigs to anchor the frontcourt, a less-than-ideal weakness that is amplified by the presence of All-NBA big men in the conference alone.

And as you may have guessed, both Turner and Sabonis will give Charlotte a higher ceiling at being a force in the East. However, acquiring any of the two requires a hefty immediate return, especially with the Indiana Pacers still recalcitrant on a rebuild.

Possible pieces on the move: PJ Washington, Gordon Hayward, Miles Bridges