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)
2. Charlotte’s PJ Washington remains heavily linked to the Indiana Pacers
Charlotte’s PJ Washington is still linked to Indiana, perhaps a result of both teams frequently talked about as ideal trading partners, especially for one of the Pacers’ prized big men in Sabonis and Myles Turner.
Beyond the foresight of an imminent trade, Washington himself is a great return for the Pacers, which are still laggards in the league in terms of roster construction. Having his role shaved off as a bench player given Miles Bridges’ breakout in the Buzz City, the third-year forward is surely expendable now, but that shouldn’t be any reason for Indiana to dilly-dally on a proposal centered on him for, say, Turner.
If he dons the Blue and Gold, Washington would immediately become the Pacers’ most potent outside shooter, as evidenced by his 40 percent mark from rainbow country. With Indiana ranking among the least prolific three-point shooting teams percentage-wise, Washington gives them the ammo to embrace a more modern approach while giving them more fluidity on both ends of the court.
Verdict: Buy hard on the Pacers having serious interest in Hornets’ PJ Washington
3. Dorian Finney-Smith is an interesting choice for the Indiana Pacers
Some reports have tabbed the Indiana Pacers as one of the likeliest destinations for Dorian Finney-Smith, head coach Rick Carlisle’s most favored defender in his previous club, probably as a collateral of the Dallas Mavericks being projected to be a key pursuer for Turner as they attempt to gain more ground in the Western Conference.
However, pursuing (or settling for) Finney-Smith as one of the anchors in a hypothetical deal will only present the Pacers with a multi-layered skillset overlap. After all, Indiana already has two three-and-D slash tweener adepts in Oshae Brissett and Torrey Craig (three if you’re counting the still-injured TJ Warren).
Ideally, Indiana’s brass should be more lofty in their demands in a possible deal with Dallas. After all, given league-wide interest on Turner, they have the clear leverage. If you’d ask me, they should try to nab Jalen Brunson, a solid point guard in a career-year who may be too expensive to retain for the Mavericks in the offseason.
Verdict: Sell on the Pacers expressing interest on Dorian Finney-Smith
4. The Indiana Pacers remain a rumored destination for Gordon Hayward
Despite the Hornets’ relative success this season, particularly with Gordon Hayward continuing his strong play from last season, it’s no secret that Charlotte would prefer to trim the fat on their salary load, which the former All-Star massively takes up in light of his semi-albatross contract.
That’s the reason why the 31-year-old has been reported to be a name to watch going to the Pacers in a possible. Unlike Washington, Hayward is straight money, and Indiana can dangle one of their big men plus a salary filler to relieve Charlotte of Hayward’s cap load.
As I’ve pointed out before, Hayward works as a viable piece for a win-now team like the Pacers. However, with Indiana rapidly crescendoing into a youth-directed retooling, pursuing him when less expensive commodities such as Washington are available will only look like an attempt to extend the current core’s lifespan under the guise of a singular swap.
Verdict: Buy on Charlotte being interested in trading Hayward, Sell on the Pacers being on the receiving end