The league was put on sudden notice after an out-of-normal news dropped on Tuesday. On the coattails of a lackluster start to the season with a 10-16 record, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Indiana Pacers are now inclined on moving toward rebuilding, a bolt from the blue for a franchise that has resisted building from scratch since its inception.
Multiple outlets have since divulged that the Pacers are now active on the trade market for three of their starters in Caris LeVert, Domantas Sabonis, and Myles Turner. With Indy struggling to gain much traction in the Eastern Conference, and injuries and inconsistencies pulling the team down the drain, the need for a rebuild has gotten clearer by the day, and this time—the Pacers are seemingly more candid on heeding the call.
Amidst a lifeless start to the 2021-22 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers are reportedly gearing up to pivot toward rebuilding
It remains to be seen how far the Indiana Pacers are willing to pounce to quench an unfamiliar organizational shift to rebuilding, but the next few weeks or months will be indicative of what moves could be in store for them this season. With the trade deadline still relatively far away, the front office will have ample time to evaluate whom they can dangle for future assets to move on with a clean slate.
Fortunately for them, despite touting a middling record, the team consists of multiple win-now contributors who are more than talented enough to fetch back great returns. From attractive draft compensation, up-and-comers, and young players in need of a new situation to prosper, the team’s brass will have a boatload of options moving forward.
In light of all these, here are a couple of trade ideas to kickstart a much-needed rebuild for the Indiana Pacers following the recent string of news around the franchise.