NBA Trade Deadline: Live Tracking Deals and Impact on the Pacers

As we approach the final day before the NBA Trade Deadline is reached, the Indiana Pacers were about as aggressive as they could be. Likely the most active they have ever been around the deadline, and in that chaos, have found a new direction to go with their reshaped roster.

Follow our live blog as we track all moves before the NBA Trade Deadline and how each one could affect the Indiana Pacers moving forward

There were rumors floating around when Buddy Hield was included in the trade from Sacramento to Indiana that the Pacers would try to move him somewhere else like the LA Lakers. However, that is no longer likely.

James Boyd of the Indystar reports, “The Pacers are NOT trading Buddy Hield ahead of tomorrow’s trade deadline, per source. He will most likely make his debut Friday when Indiana hosts the Cavs and former guard Caris LeVert”.

The trades began for the Pacers just before Indiana traveled to Cleveland, where they would trade starting guard Caris LeVert in exchange for the expiring contract of Ricky Rubio, and the Cavaliers’ first-round pick this year.

Pacers receive: Ricky Rubio, 2022 first-round pick (lottery protected), 2022 second-round pick, 2027 second-round pick

Cavaliers receive: Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick (via MIA)

This came to the surprise of many fans in Indiana, as it was the first signal the franchise officially gave that they were going to finally change this roster up. It needed to be done.

Effect on the Pacers: Indiana loses offensive firepower for the rest of the season, losing LeVert who was a starter. Cleveland gets much better depth in place of Sexton who is out for the season. The Cavaliers are 4th in the Eastern Conference, and on a three-game winning streak with a record of 34-21, beating the Paces earlier this week.

It has been reported that Cleveland would try to extend LeVert for more seasons, so Indiana has their hands full when the Cavaliers come to town.

While the Pacers have already made two big trades for their franchise, they can still do more through Thursday’s 3 p.m. ET deadline. Here, I’ll be updating you with the big trades as they happen and give my initial thoughts on how they might impact the Pacers’ present and future.

Indiana Pacers receive: Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, Tristan Thompson

Sacramento Kings receive: Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, 2027 second-round pick

This is one of the biggest trades in Indiana’s history of basketball, especially at the NBA trade deadline. Indiana goes with the one center look, after years of debating which center they should keep. They trade their two-time All-Star and filter of offense away for a new-look roster.

The hope is to become more modern and play the Rick Carlisle style, which needs shooters and that is what this trade will give the Pacers.

Effect on the Pacers: The Indiana Pacers are currently 19-37 this season, they aren’t trying to make the play-in game, they are trying to develop a new roster. This trade allows more playing time for Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson to grow their game for the back half of their first season. It also allows Rick Carlise to figure out what he likes with the new pieces he helped add to the team in Haliburton and Hield.

The Pacers can now use Myles Turner as their single-center after many seasons of trying him at multiple positions to share with Sabonis. Turner is the longest-tenured Pacer and he survives this NBA trade deadline. He now has the full green light to shine and finally gets the role clarity he was seeking.

My immediate reaction is that the Sacramento Kings giving up Tyrese Haliburton is a very questionable move. He’s only 21 and has already established himself as a deadly outside shooter (41.1%) with a nice floater game, like Malcolm Brogdon.

While it’s commendable the Kings were able to acquire a 2X All-Star without giving up picks, his inclusion seems costly at the moment.

Sacramento won last night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, and Domantas Sabonis scored yet another double-double with 22 points and 14 rebounds.

According to The Athletic’s Sam Vecenie, the arrival of Sabonis could open the door for a team to trade for Richaun Holmes.

The San Antonio Spurs have made a deal with the Toronto Raptors.

San Antonio Spurs receive: G Goran Dragic, Toronto 2022 first-rounder (protected 1-14, protected 1-13 in 2023, turning into future seconds)

Toronto Raptors receive: F Thaddeus Young, Drew Eubanks, 2022 Pistons second-rounder

Effect on the Pacers: With the veteran point guard essentially absent for the Raptors as they rally around their younger players, the former All-Star has long been on the rumor mill. Ditto for former Pacer Thad Young, who has been glued on the Spurs bench as Gregg Popovich and co. rebuild.

Young reinforces a Toronto frontcourt that is already loaded with versatility and defense. He could be a supplementary piece off the bench, primarily serving as a point forward. While San Antonio gets a great draft capital as a return for their expendable players.

The Pacers meet the Raptors one last time in late March.

The next piece of news surrounds a four-team trade involving the Milwaukee Bucks, LA Clippers, Sacramento Kings, and Detroit Pistons.

Detroit receives: Marvin Bagley III

Sacremento receives: Josh Jackson, Trey Lyle, and Donte DiVincenzo (MIL)

Effect on the Pacers: Bagley has only played in 30 games for the Kings this season averaging just 9.1 points per game. He has been looking for a new opportunity and now gets to play alongside first overall pick Cade Cunningham in Detroit.

The Pistons have the worst record in the Eastern Conference with a record of 12-42. Bagley was the 2nd pick in the 2018 NBA draft.

Another part of this four-team trade that impacts the Pacers is Milwaukee trading for Serge Ibaka before the NBA trade deadline.

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Serge Ibaka, two future second-round picks, cash.

LA Clippers receive: Rodney Hood, Semi Ojeleye.

Effect on the Pacers: The Indiana Pacers aren’t making a title run this season, obviously. However, the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks are adding Serge Ibaka who averages 6.6 points per game this season.

He is a four with size that adds depth to this tough Bucks team as they look to make another Finals appearance. The Pacers share a division with the Bucks and they face them again once more this season.

Boston cuts costs, parts with young projects in trade with Orlando. Then, they get aggressive in trade with Spurs.

Boston Celtics receive: Future second-round pick

Orlando Magic receive: Bol Bol, PJ Dozier, future second-round pick, cash considerations

Effect on the Pacers: No disrespect to the aforementioned players, but they hardly move the needle for the rebuilding Magic. The Pacers still have two games remaining against the Magic, both on the road.

Meanwhile, this is a cost-cutting move for Boston, which shape up to remain active before the deadline to bolster their roster and make a deep playoff run. Indiana also has two remaining contests against the Celtics.

The Celtics make a trade with the Spurs just an hour before the deadline closes.

Boston Celtics receive: Derrick White

San Antonio Spurs receive: Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford, first-round pick

Effect on the Pacers: The Indiana Pacers have had troubles against the Celtics in recent years, Derrick White will be a great defensive addition alongside Marcus Smart. White averages 14.4 points per game and just over 5 assists while shooting 31% from behind the arc.

The Pacers will play Boston twice more this season, they are the current 7th seed in the east.

The Brooklyn Nets and Philadelphia 76ers have agreed to a massive trade involving Ben Simmons and James Harden.

76ers receive: James Harden, Paul Milsap

Brooklyn receive: Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond, and two first-round picks

Effect on the Pacers: The Eastern Conference just got much better, even though both payers were already in the east, each team is much better structured. Ben Simmons will now likely play basketball, which is a win for NBA fans, not as much for Pacers fans.

The Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks are stacked and ready for finals runs. Simmons brings a huge defensive boost to Brooklyn and Seth Curry has been lights-out shooting in Philadelphia this season. Although they’ve had recent struggles, the Nets are primed for success among Kevin Durant’s return to play. They are currently 8th in the east.

The 76ers now have Joel Embiid to pair with James Harden and get to keep Matisse Thybulle’s defensive presence. The 76ers are 32-22 and 5th in the east and Joel Embiid has been dominant this season – averaging 29.4 points per game and 10.9 rebounds. Indiana will need success in this year’s draft to build this roster with these teams adding respective firepower on both sides.

The Indiana Pacers make a deal with the Suns to send Torrey Craig back to Phoenix.

Suns receive: Torrey Craig

Pacers receive: Jalen Smith, future second-round pick

Effect on the Pacers: The Paces are able to save money with Craig leaving. Tony East reports, “Pacers move $400k further from the tax and can now breathe with bonuses”.

Torrey Craig was originally brought in to help the gap between T.J. Warren’s on-court return. With the team in no place to win soon, Craig isn’t as needed as when he was signed. He was a solid defender and shot 33% from behind the arc this season.

Jalen Smith is in his second NBA season and is essentially Torrey Craig but with a worse three-point shot. He shoots 23% from three, but scores on average 6.0 points per game. Smith is on an expiring deal after declining his player option, so Indiana will have some decisions to make of their own as the season comes to an end.

The Washington Wizards make a few big trades as they try to figure out a roster for Bradley Beal.

Washington receives: Kristaps Porzingis, second-round pick

Dallas receives: Spencer Dinwiddie, Davis Bertans

Effect on the Pacers: Kristaps Porzingis joins Bradley Beal, who is out for the season in Washington. After a hot start to the season, Washington has struggled this season and is 11th in the east. Porzingis is in the third year of his 5 year contract, averaging 19.2 points per game this season.

He returns to the eastern conference after being drafted by the Knicks, so Indiana will see more of that Wizard’s team. They have recently traded Aaron Holiday, and Montrez Harrel as well so their roster isn’t in an ideal spot. The Wizards have a new center and they can now reassess their plans for the future depending on Beal’s situation this offseason.

The Wizards are just two spots ahead of Indiana in the standings.