Indiana Pacers: Buy or sell on 4 latest rumored trade targets

As the Indiana Pacers continue stumbling in the standings with a barrage of recent losses before a brutal stretch kicks off, the persistent rumor mill continues to feature the Blue and Gold on the front panel.

Fortunately, the team is well-equipped to make apt changes to the roster, possibly signaling a fresher start for a franchise stuck in NBA purgatory for the last couple of seasons. Heck, with the Pacers firmly cemented among the cellar dwellers in the league, exhausting their current armory to make a run at the postseason is fool’s gold.

With the NBA Trade Deadline just a few weeks away, we examine four recently rumored trade targets for Indiana and weigh the scales on whether the speculations hold substance or not.

1. Is there any traction on the De’Aaron Fox to the Indiana Pacers front?

News of the Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings discussing potential deals at the current juncture have swirled recently, which is unsurprising given both teams’ shared struggles as unlikely playoff teams in their respective conferences and their mutual need for new needle movers.

A one-on-one swap between De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis has emerged on the rumor mill, a hypothetical that has already galvanized some onlookers from both clubs. However, does pursuing the young Kings floor general for a two-time All-Star make sense in the long run? Yes—and no.

For starters, Sabonis is on one of the most bargain value contracts in the NBA. On the other hand, Fox is inked on a maximum deal that would see him make more than $32 million on average for the next four years. Ultimately, bet on the Pacers to exercise restraint on the speedy guard’s booming contract.

Verdict: Buy on the Pacers having interest on Fox, Sell on a deal actually happening (and involving Sabonis)