What could be the Indiana Pacers’ best offer for Thaddeus Young?

Indiana Pacers, Thaddeus Young - Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers, Thaddeus Young - Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

The NBA is currently at the most silent juncture of the offseason. With virtually all free agents now on board with their new clubs, the smoke has all been cleared up. The Indiana Pacers, which already had a relatively quiet offseason, had understandably been off the rumor mill for quite a while now.

Still, the Blue and Gold is among the teams best geared up to make another move as the offseason winds down, especially in the trade market. With expiring contracts of their own and their collection of future draft picks, the Pacers have a lot of assets to field on the table.

One name that has been recently thrown in trade discussions is former Pacer and Spurs forward Thaddeus Young. Acquired by San Antonio as a part of the DeMar DeRozan sign and trade with the Bulls, the 14-year veteran will be on the receiving end of hot pursuits among teams in playoff and title contention, especially with the Spurs clearly on rebuilding mode.

What can the Indiana Pacers field the best for Thaddeus Young?

As Young is on a relatively lofty expiring contract, Indiana has to match salaries to make a hypothetical trade work. Fortunately, the Pacers have the perfect player to include as an anchorage in this deal: Jeremy Lamb.

It’s no secret that the team has been actively shopping his expiring deal. However, a one-on-one swap wouldn’t suffice since San Antonio already has a bunch of talented backcourt players. Sweetening the pot will be necessary.

Phoenix, reportedly the most active in pursuit of Young, can field an enticing offer of Jalen Smith, Dario Saric and a first-round pick. To trump the Suns, Indiana will have to get a lot bolder than giving up expected concessions.

The Pacers front office are unsurprisingly reserved with trading first-rounders recently, but they will have to part with one in order to stir the pot enough for the Spurs to be interested. There’s also the collateral frontcourt logjam which ensues if Young ends up in the Circle City. As a result, dangling away, say, Goga Bitadze, whom San Antonio would love to acquire with their great track record with European bigs, may be eventually seal the deal.

However, one can validly point out that such offer would be too much for a bench player like Young. While he can solve a lot of problems on and off the court for Indiana, there are arguably in-house solutions that won’t prompt the team to mortgage a chunk of their future flexibility.

Ultimately, as much as I would love to have Thaddeus Young back, getting him may require an overpay, especially with him showing that he clearly has a lot left in his tank last season. However, if the Indiana Pacers indeed doubles down on winning now, don’t be surprised if the team is on the hot trail and fields a bold offer to ensure a reunion.