Stricken by COVID-19 and injuries amid a poor start, the Indiana Pacers continue their freefall in the standings, firmly positioned at 13th place in the Eastern Conference with a 14-25 record through Friday.
While the implementation of the play-in tournament gives the Pacers more leeway to continue hunting for wins, it’s clear that trying to sneak their way into the postseason is all but a futile attempt for this core, especially as losses mount on the nightly against deeper and better competition.
Not all hope is lost though, as Indiana will have a chance to reinvent the wheel on the fly as the 2022 NBA trade deadline is nearly a month away.
As the franchise enters a crucial period, here are four team needs that the Indiana Pacers have to address on the trade deadline.
1. The Indiana Pacers need to embrace small-ball; axe one of their centers
Trust me—I hate sounding like a broken record clamoring about how the Pacers should resolve their longstanding big man dilemma. But given the front office’s persistence on retaining perhaps the team’s biggest anchor that has been plunging them into the middle ground, once again, it’s time for Indiana to shake up its personnel—and embracing a small-ball approach is the easiest way to do it.
Both Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner are enough of a catalyst by themselves—from entirely different angles—to fully function as a lone center on a permanent basis. Next to more agile and rangy tweeners, the added space and mobility could help unlock their games and more importantly, give the Pacers a semblance of identity.
Aside from Indiana’s in-house solutions like TJ Warren (when he returns), Oshae Brissett, and Torrey Craig, the Pacers should be in store for an even deeper crest of wings and forwards in the trade market who could provide more modern and seamless fits next to either center, giving the rebuild-allergic franchise a relatively new deck to work with.
2. The Indiana Pacers have to double down on athleticism
Athleticism is far from an ordained requisite in the basketball world, but it is certainly close to being a recipe for winning in today’s fast-paced game. The problem? The Indiana Pacers have a roster almost completely devoid of springy legs who can give them a wider margin of error in their scoring attack and more switchability on defense.
Helmed by heady, methodical players like Sabonis and Malcolm Brogdon, the Pacers simply lack the spry legs that some teams have an abundance of. Caris LeVert, one of their better athletes, has declined on that aspect as he builds up from his injury. Turner, who has a great vertical as evidenced by his monstrous block numbers, is ironically more of a nimble big on offense.
And it’s certainly a problem if an NBA club’s most athletic player is a rookie who has barely touched the floor, if at all.
Finesse and skill carry more weight in the grand scheme of things, but having more athletic ability on the roster is a way to open up more opportunities on the floor on both ends. I’m not asking that Indiana becomes a Lob City overnight, but the team has long lacked vertical spacing on offense and rangy, disruptive defense on the perimeter—two main areas where added athleticism could help.
3. The Indiana Pacers need to stack up on future assets
With their core composed of players who are all in the early stages or in the middle of their primes, the ceiling of this Indiana Pacers team is anything but lofty. As fans brave through this rough season, it’s becoming crystal clear that the franchise is headed to murky waters as they ceaselessly ride with what they have in store.
Allergic reaction to rebuilding notwithstanding, the Pacers should have youth movement atop their priority list. However, aside from Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson, Indiana doesn’t really have the young talent that could give them a more solid assurance to build for the future.
That’s the reason why the Pacers have to stack up on future assets and hope that they can find their next in-house star, a department where they’ve had substantial success with the likes of Victor Oladipo and Sabonis in recent seasons.
I’ve already highlighted one young stud that could fit the bill, but the trade market should be rich with under-the-radar prospects who could blossom with more opportunities in a different program. Luckily, the Pacers have a lot of attractive assets that they could dangle to lure in some assets for the future.
4. The Indiana Pacers have to think carpe diem on the NBA trade deadline
This isn’t really a need, but it’s certainly one that has to be said—and reiterated.
In contrast with how the franchise looks in the present, the rest of the association considers the Indiana Pacers to be one of the key players on the trade market which could determine how the season could shape up. With their collection of talented players on reasonable deals, the team has to realize the big opportunity to make a shift and bite the tempting apple for once.
Actually, scratch that. This is a need—the need for Indiana to function like a more conventional NBA franchise in the department of recognizing what’s clicking and what’s not. Loyalty is sterling in the sports universe, but it is merely a blind attachment in the face of non-success, particularly in this age where player empowerment is front and center as the title chase becomes a lot fiercer.
This season presents arguably the best chance for the Pacers to acquire quality for quality. They may not be close to contending anytime soon, but with the right steps, they could have a solid start to a reboot by seizing the day and possibly ending up as one of the biggest winners on the trade deadline by finally moving the stubborn needle.