The Indiana Pacers continue to bolster their youth movement this offseason, having just re-signed Jalen Smith to a two-year deal on top of trading Malcolm Brogdon in hopes of opening up more opportunities for the younger players.
In fact, it seems that the coaching staff will be doing just that in the following campaign, with head coach Rick Carlisle having already indicated that Smith will be the Pacers’ starting power forward next season.
Overthinking aside, could this be a precursor to the team’s possible moves in the foreseeable future?
Did Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle just hint at the team’s possible moves in the future?
The Indiana Pacers are far from finished in the offseason. Looking deep into the team’s state of affairs, more moves could be coming, and head coach Rick Carlisle’s recent statement about Smith could signal yet another shifting of the gears in the Circle City.
Appointing Smith as the starting PF is a tad surprising, given that Isaiah Jackson was expected by many to man the spot next to Myles Turner. That could still happen, though pushing I-Jax to the center spot could be a prelude to phasing out Myles Turner in a possible trade.
Starting Turner is still pretty viable, but it could dampen Jackson’s growth as part of the young core. If the rumors hold up (which history says otherwise), then the Pacers’ investment in Smith and Jackson could be stronger than anticipated.
A bigger window to trade Turner could also point to Indiana venturing out for more grandiose maneuvers, considering what remains in the market. Deandre Ayton remains the best free agent available, and the Pacers could still sign him to an offer sheet outright or engage the Phoenix Suns in a possible sign-and-trade.
Indiana is one of the less than a handful of teams with the capacity to make an aggressive chase for the young big man. Perhaps of no coincidence, the Ayton-Smith pairing could do wonders for the team, as Jackson is yet to develop a reliable perimeter presence to warrant a sustainable partnership with a conventional center.
Before the jeers come out roaring, all of these are a matter of speculation. However, coach Carlisle’s statement could give fans and pundits some insight into how the Indiana Pacers currently look at their roster’s framework. And with slight guesswork, inferring that some moves could be on the horizons is definitely reasonable.