5 trade targets who should be on the Indiana Pacers’ Christmas wish list

Indiana Pacers trade target no. 4: Harrison Barnes

A lot of fans are probably not so congenial to the prospect of acquiring Harrison Barnes, especially when we play the name game. Make no mistake, however, the one-time NBA champion has consistently turned in solid seasons on more featured roles since leaving the Golden State Warriors.

This season, the 10-year veteran is averaging 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game for the Sacramento Kings as one of their primary scoring options. It’s easy to envision Barnes fitting in with the Indiana Pacers, especially with the urgent need for the franchise to break up their antiquated frontcourt.

Nabbing Barnes from the Kings could cost the Pacers Myles Turner, or Domantas Sabonis in a bigger package, but on a more visceral look, his scoring prowess, physical tools, and veteran experience could be what Indiana needs if the pivot to embracing modern basketball.

Indiana Pacers trade target no. 5: Jerami Grant

If you’ve read my work before, you should already know by now how much I vie for the prospect of Jerami Grant donning the Blue and Gold. Redundancy be damned, Grant, hypothetically, provides a lot of tasty morsels that should benefit the Pacers in the aftermath of the presumed (or manifested) Turbonis breakup.

While currently injured for the Detroit Pistons (not as big of a red flag, believe me), Grant remains a two-way force who can thrive in both primary and secondary scoring roles, which he proved as a key role player when he was in Oklahoma City and Denver. A natural power forward, the eight-year veteran is easily a perfect fit next to either Turner or Sabonis.

It remains to be seen how willing Detroit is to part with one of their best players, but their youth movement will hardly lag behind without him on the roster. Indiana, meanwhile, should jump at the chance to acquire him, as they are well-positioned to make a handsome offer centered on one of their big men, a position of need for the Pistons.