The frontmen of the Indiana Pacers could deny it all they want, but fans and pundits alike agree that the franchise is in the early stages of a rebuild. After logging one of their worst seasons ever, the ensuing youth movement should pick up even more steam as the team approaches what should be an eventful offseason.
Pump your brakes, however. With the rumor mill suggesting that one big star could move on to greener pastures, the Pacers would be wise to sneak around and monitor the situation, as this could easily be a golden opportunity that they cannot pass up if it ever cracks open.
In fact, one trade from Bleacher Report pictures Indiana as a great destination for this perennial All-Star.
The Indiana Pacers could return to contention with this mock B/R trade
In this proposed deal, the Indiana Pacers acquire three-time All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell and forward Royce O’Neale from the Utah Jazz for guards Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield, their first-round picks in 2022 (sixth) and 2024, as well as the right to swap their first-round pick in 2023.
While the Pacers are currently angling to add to their young core, executing this move could immediately push the franchise’s standing in the league as a potential contender with the right complementary moves.
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.
Why the Utah Jazz should do it
The Utah Jazz are in a peculiar position right now where their core is still a force to be reckoned with in the league, but changes could be forced in the face of consecutive early playoff exits. The credence behind Donovan Mitchell being the one to start the drastic shift has feeble footing, but what could be murmurs could soon turn into a big noise for the Northwestern powerhouse.
If the Jazz commit to making changes and aim to regain franchise flexibility, then dealing Mitchell will give them the best shot at an instant reboot. With Rudy Gobert still in town, Utah can afford to remain competitive, and their prospective returns from the Indiana Pacers are no slouches. Malcolm Brogdon and Buddy Hield are consistent, high-octane contributors who should fit well in their current system. And the Pacers’ dangled draft picks are attractive to absorb.
However, if Utah goes full throttle on a rebuild, they will be able to consolidate even more draft capital when they want. Brogdon and Hield will easily fetch them draft picks and future assets if they deal them later to contenders in need, and Indiana’s sixth overall pick could be a great kickstart to supercharge a possible rebuild/reboot.
There are teams who can offer more attractive names on the table, but teams like the Knicks and the Heat will certainly put out semi-unwanted commodities, like the suddenly diminishing value of Julius Randle, the lengthy overpay that is Duncan Robinson, and possible poison pill Tyler Herro, whose upside could make teams overestimate his contract value. Really, the Jazz will have full flexibility in this trade scenario with the Pacers.