Indiana Pacers: Examining one deal to land the Kings’ No. 4 pick for Malcolm Brogdon

Why the Indiana Pacers should pull the trigger

The Indiana Pacers, in their current standing in the 2022 NBA Draft, will still be in the position to select a great prospect, but their options will be quite limited as they are picking at the tail end of the projected tier two in the draft.

By acquiring Sacramento’s fourth overall selection though, they would be in control of their destiny and land the best prospect available outside of the consensus top three. Better yet, if any team in the top-three veers from the projections and passes up one of Chet Holmgren, Jabari Smith, and Paolo Banchero, the Pacers will be the first team to scoop up whoever is still on the board among the three, all of whom should be wonderful fits in Indiana.

In addition, the first-round pick swap in 2024 will be added bonus for the Pacers, as the Kings have no expendable players to match Brogdon as a trade return. The Kings would be gambling on themselves that they boast a better record than Indiana at that juncture.

Aside from the draft consequences, the Pacers will be clearing up ample cap space and positional logjam by dangling Malcolm Brogdon to the Kings. Richaun Holmes makes only half of Brogdon’s annual salary, and should be much easier to trade later on. Meanwhile, Mo Harkless is only truly a filler in this deal, but he could be a viable role player who fills a position of need for Indiana.