Indiana Pacers: Buy or sell on latest free agency and trade rumors

The rumor mill is once again churning out aggressively for the Indiana Pacers, especially with the 2021 NBA Free Agency now on its outset. Despite being limited with regards to financial wiggle room, the team being on the crux of speculations isn’t surprising, especially with another retooling anticipated following last season’s dismal campaign.

Still, it’s quite astonishing to see the Blue and Gold among the league’s most aggressive players in the offseason. After all, despite the wished changes, Indiana is far from a marquee destination and it’s not like the Pacers have substantial leeway in terms of money to woo free agents either.

The Indiana Pacers are common sights in rumor mills on the lead-up to free agency

As free agency begins at 6 p.m. ET, rumors will garner even more noise as free agents will now be able to negotiate with teams and the trade market, of course, is also reckoned to be filled with smoke.

However, what makes it to social media and public discussions doesn’t always match with what’s brewing on the front office. Thus, here are the latest free agency and trade rumors for the Indiana Pacers and whether fans and pundits alike should bank on them actually happening as the offseason begins to unravel.

What do we make of the Indiana Pacers’ reported interest on Lou Williams?

One of the more surprising news to involve the Pacers just recently is their reported interest on veteran scorer Lou Williams. While the three-time NBA Sixth Man of the Year recipient still has something on the tank, as his stint with Atlanta last season solidified, envisioning his fit in Indiana merits more of a confused look than a sense of excitement.

The team’s interest was defined as stemming from their wish to land a reliable scorer off the bench, especially after Aaron Holiday’s exit via a draft day trade. However, given the Pacers’ roster construction and scoring not exactly a problem for the team, pursuing the dangerous scorer is perplexing.

With TJ McConnell already a virtual lock to remain in Indiana, there’s not much sense to add Williams, especially with the bulk of ball handling that his skillset demands. Not only that, but the team’s intent to get back to their defensive identity after last season’s decline is wayward from adding Lou-Will, who has always been highly exploitable on defense.

Verdict: Slightly buy on the team’s interest in Williams, sell on it actually happening and making sense

Will the Indiana Pacers bid adieu to Jeremy Lamb this offseason?

This one is far from a secret, but the Indiana Pacers are expectedly determined to move Jeremy Lamb‘s expiring contract this summer. With the team over the salary cap, trading him would allow them to have some more breathing room to pursue a free agent in the market who can fill a more urgent need.

While Lamb has been a serviceable role player and a reliable scorer for the Pacers since his arrival in 2019, fitting in nicely as a part-time starter and a high-usage backup, injuries have defined his Indiana stint more than his actual on-court contributions. After suffering an ACL injury in early 2020, the veteran guard/wing returned this season, albeit playing only 36 games due to nagging ailments.

Fortunately, unloading him shouldn’t be much of a trek. Not only is Lamb on an expiring deal, but the nine-year veteran can still impact the game as a sparkplug off the bench. For the fourth straight season, he managed to rack up a double-digit scoring average while tallying a career-high 40.6 clip on triples.

Verdict: Buy on Indiana trading Jeremy Lamb this offseason

Can the Indiana Pacers win the Nicolas Batum sweepstakes?

Another surprising rumor which recently surfaced was the Indiana Pacers’ reported interest on free agent forward Nicolas Batum. While a three-and-D adept like him will be a welcome addition on virtually any team, the Blue and Gold’s inclusion among contenders reportedly lining up for his services is a bit unprecedented.

However, given Batum’s rejuvenation last season as a critical piece for the LA Clippers, extensive interest for him should be expected. After all, his diverse skillset will surely be a great asset to possess, especially in the postseason where he basically was the unsung hero for his squad in the prior campaign with his versatility, playing virtually four different positions in spurts for Tyronn Lue.

In theory, Batum will slide into a significant role off the bench for Rick Carlisle, though court time for him may be more limited compared to last season. However, if the Pacers break up their big man tandem, the Frenchman could easily be a catalyst for the team’s stylistic change.

Verdict: Buy on the Pacers’ interest in Batum, buy on the Frenchman opting to sign with a contender

Do the Knicks have enough to pry Myles Turner away from the Indiana Pacers?

The Indiana Pacers are widely expected to entertain trade offers for prized big man Myles Turner this offseason. One team that is reportedly moving with aggression in hopes of landing him is the New York Knicks, which are believed to be invested in giving All-Star Julius Randle a better running mate in the frontcourt.

It’s not difficult to comprehend why the Knicks would pursue Turner. After all, given Randle’s skillset and the Knicks’ defensive identity under Tom Thibodeau, the sixth-year center should solve most of their problems, namely the team’s lack of a stretch big and their need for an effective rim deterrent.

However, New York’s reported offer centered on Mitchell Robinson as the primary return is far from attractive. After all, moving Turner would be under the impetus of a small-ball shift. Thus, acquiring another center in return who offers lesser on the table than the Pacers big man is counterproductive.

Verdict: Sell on Indiana engaging with New York in a possible Myles Turner deal, buy on him being available

Should the Indiana Pacers engage in a sign-and-trade for Lonzo Ball?

One of the rumors which emerged around draft night was the Indiana Pacers’ reported interest in restricted free agent Lonzo Ball. While the team doesn’t have any salary to offer for the playmakers, acquiring him through a sign-and-trade is pretty viable.

However, after New Orleans’ recent moves, the odds of this actually happening appears to be slim. Acquiring Jonas Valanciunas from Memphis essentially gives the team enough cushion to not pursue Myles Turner anymore, despite the perfect fit. On a separate note, their expected pursuit of Kyle Lowry, Spencer Dinwiddie and other free agent guards makes Malcolm Brogdon an unlikely return that they would prefer as well.

While the Pelicans are increasingly unlikely to retain Ball, it’s also improbable that the Pacers will aggressively pursue him via a sign-and-trade. After all, going after him is far from necessary, given the fact that Indiana’s lead guards, Brogdon and Caris LeVert, are both fringe All-Stars in reasonable contracts who project to be critical components for the team moving forward.

Verdict: Sell on the Pacers trying to acquire Lonzo Ball via sign-and-trade