This mock B/R trade could vault the Indiana Pacers up the East ladder

Why the Indiana Pacers should do it

Established All-Stars like Donovan Mitchell rarely become available (is he really?) for poaching in the trade market, and it is even more rare for them to choose a small market as their destination. However, Mitchell has helped the Utah Jazz, another small market franchise, become one of the most lethal forces in the West in recent years.

Should the Jazz make a pivot however, with Quinn Snyder’s departure as a foreboding signal, Mitchell could be on his way, as trading him presents the best avenue for the franchise to make a big shift in direction. If so, the Indiana Pacers should aggressively pursue him.

Not only is Mitchell an instant cornerstone that the Pacers can viably build around, but he could be the alpha that they are currently missing, serving as the ideal backcourt scorer whom Tyrese Haliburton can thrive with. His defense is quite suspect, but weighing both sides, his explosive offensive skillset is too good to disregard.

Better yet, he is locked up until 2026, with a player option on the last year. This substantial roster control is a massive deal, as it effectively counters the big chunk of years that the Pacers will have to forego in the drafting department, which they will surrender to the Jazz. For the age nitpickers, he’s just 25 years old, making him a good leader of the pack to spearhead Indiana for the foreseeable future.

Also, the Pacers will not be pulling the trigger on this deal to get Royce O’Neale, but he is a great defensive-minded veteran piece whom the team could flip later on.