While the Indiana Pacers finally clinched their first win of the season, they are off to a slow start to begin their campaign. Injuries and a tough early schedule certainly won’t help them record-wise moving forward, as the team remains on the margins of still figuring out their identity.
Clearly on the win-now track, the team needs all that it can muster to viably compete in a tougher Eastern Conference, and all that begins with their roster. The Pacers don’t necessarily have a lacking group from a talent standpoint, but their injury-prone cogs and unproven bench players are far from needle movers at this point, justifying the need for more innovative ways to retool on the fly, even if subtle.
The Indiana Pacers can test the waters and gauge interest for Jeremy Lamb
One player projected by many to be traded at some point this season is guard Jeremy Lamb, who is in the final year of the three-year contract he signed back in 2019. Already drawing flak from fans due to his lack of defensive prowess, in addition to his inconsistent scoring, the veteran scorer is rapidly losing his spot in the rotation, especially with the rise of rookie Chris Duarte and the expected returns of Caris LeVert and TJ Warren.
The Pacers can certainly kill two birds with one stone by making Lamb available in the trade market since the veteran guard can still thrive with a roster that can mask his weaknesses. Here is one trade idea that the team could consider involving the now-expendable scorer.
One trade idea that the Indiana Pacers could consider
In this trade concept, the Indiana Pacers send guard Jeremy Lamb and big man Goga Bitadze to the Dallas Mavericks for forward/center Maxi Kleber, guard Trey Burke and a 2024 second-round pick.
Aside from Jeremy Lamb, third-year center Goga Bitadze, the Pacers’ first-round pick in 2019, simply hasn’t developed as expected. While a lack of steady playing time didn’t help his case, if the first three games are any indication, then he will certainly be a bench filler for the rest of the season. However, his skillset could be useful in Dallas’ high-octane offense led by Luka Doncic paving the way for him to develop further in a program where can have more opportunities.
For Dallas, Lamb will give them a solid secondary creator off the bench. With the Mavericks rounded out by two-way perimeter defenders like Dorian Finney-Smith and Reggie Bullock, his fragile defense won’t be as big of a hole as it is in the Circle City.
Why the Indiana Pacers will benefit from this deal
Maxi Kleber has been one of the most effective low-usage role players in the league in recent years. One of coach Rick Carlisle’s favored utility men in his time with the Dallas Mavericks, the German stretch big, despite not looking the part, is a mobile and versatile defender who doesn’t need the ball to make immediate impact.
Essentially a 3-and-D big man, Kleber is a unique player in that he can play all three frontcourt positions on defense. The Mavericks deployed him in spurts in the past two postseasons against the likes of Kawhi Leonard, to varied results. His defensive-minded approach and familiarity with the coaching staff would be a useful boost to the Pacers’ bench.
The best part is Kleber’s ability to be slotted in different lineup combinations. He can play as a lone big and function as a rim runner slash spot-up shooter, or collaborate with one of Indy’s big men as a power forward mainly as a pick and pop option, albeit on low frequency.
Meanwhile, Trey Burke can slot in as the team’s third-string point guard, ahead of the enigmatic Brad Wanamaker. Unlike the latter, and primary backup TJ McConnell in that regard, Burke can wreak havoc on the perimeter, giving the team an emergency scorer who can help thwart scoring droughts.