With the offseason quickly approaching, the trade market will soon open up for the NBA. Here are three trades the Indiana Pacers should consider doing.
The NBA Finals have started this week and the Indiana Pacers find themselves in new territory. No, they aren’t in the Finals playing for a championship, but they do find themselves in trade rumor news. There was a rumor that the Pacers had offered the Philadelphia 76ers point guard Malcolm Brogdon and a first-round pick in exchange for forward Ben Simmons.
76ers reportedly rejected a trade of Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon and first-rounder for Ben Simmons, per @JDumasReports pic.twitter.com/TcUMr9fGjv
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 2, 2021
Obviously, the trade didn’t happen but that got me thinking. What sort of trades could the Pacers consider to bolster their roster? I ended up firing up the ‘ol trade machine, put my evil trade scientist hat on, and got to work. Here are three trades that I have come up with.
Indiana Pacers swap point guards and picks
Pacers swap point guards and draft picks with the New Orleans Pelicans with this trade. The Indiana Pacers get a point guard that is a more natural fit for the team with Lonzo Ball. Ball would inject playmaking, athleticism, and defense at the point guard spot and with his improved jumper would be a perfect backcourt partner for Caris LeVert going forward.
Lonzo Ball will turn 24 before the start of next season and gives the Pacers their point guard of the future.
Indiana Pacers acquire their point guard of the future
De’Aaron Fox on the Indiana Pacers is atop my wishlist for the offseason. Fox might be the third-best point guard under 25 with only Trae Young and Ja Morant above him. It may seem like a ton to give up for someone that hasn’t even played in the post-season yet, but the Pacers hardly ever acquire this level of talent unless they strike gold in the late lottery.
Delon Wright is a very solid addition to the bench and will bolster the second unit. The Pacers even moved up four spots in the draft which could secure them Moses Moody. This trade is easily a long shot and could be called crazy, however, it could be crazy enough to work.
Indiana Pacers get the perfect backup big
"The Pacers have talked with the Houston Rockets, a league source told IndyStar, about flipping their pick and getting such a player. They're not looking for a one-and-done expiring contract. They want a player under contract for at least two years." https://t.co/lm1rG8RU51
— Jackson Gatlin (@JTGatlin) July 9, 2021
Speculation has it that the Pacers and Rockets have been in talks about the 13th pick in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft. The Pacers would be looking for someone that could contribute now and has multiple years left on their contract. Insert Christian Wood.
Wood is a stretch big that would fit seamlessly with the Pacers. He would be a force off the bench and can play with either Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner. Wood also has 2 years left on his deal at around 13 million a season which would fit perfectly in the Pacers cap situation.