Indiana Pacers: Analyzing B/R’s intriguing trade idea around Domantas Sabonis

Should the Indiana Pacers pull the trigger in the hypothetical deal?

Of course, the proposed deal is just an idea. However, this trade simply makes too much sense to be relegated deep into everyone’s crate of fantasies. Also, both teams are in dire need of solutions and uncoincidentally, they have the assets to help each other out.

With all the injuries this season, it’s really tough to evaluate the Indiana Pacers, especially with the squad not trotting out a healthy roster since who knows when. This is why no one can really blame the front office for being inclined on waiting for the stars to align and bank on continuity. However, the East is not a playground anymore where even non-contenders can make noise in the postseason.

Dealing Sabonis doesn’t really prompt a rebuild, but a retooling instead. Reshaping the frontcourt around Myles Turner and TJ Warren may help re-ignite their defensive identity while not falling prey to the temptation of bucking the league trends stylistically. While Domas is an exceptional talent, there is an argument to be made that there are other teams out there with an even more urgent need for what he brings to the table.

The San Antonio Spurs may be just that. It’s kind of weird to see them lose quite a lot recently with their pedigree, but they simply don’t have a resolute cornerstone to build around. Someone like Sabonis will certainly thrive in that environment, especially with Pop still at the helm.

More importantly, the suggested return for the Pacers is so valuable that trading Sabonis in this hypothetical scenario is not really a loss for the franchise if they do pull the trigger, especially with the roster and decision-making flexibility that they can attain for the two-time All-Star.

Ultimately, this deal remains in our simulated engines. Whether this trade materializes is in the hands of the front office. But if anything, this is reflective of what the Indiana Pacers need to do in order to climb out of the proverbial middle ground of mediocrity this summer: go big or go home.