3 players unlikely to finish the 2022-23 season with the Indiana Pacers
2. Daniel Theis
Conversely, if Bitadze manages to make a jump in year four and secures the center position in the second unit, then the Indiana Pacers may make it a point to shove veteran Daniel Theis into trade discussions before the trade deadline.
Theis has good overall value, but as currently constructed, he projects as nothing more than a depth piece for a rebuilding Pacers squad looking to give more minutes to younger players.
The German big is easier to envision serving as a defensive safeguard off the bench for a playoff team, as he is a sneakily good shot blocker, efficient post defender, and boasts acceptable range on offense for a big man.
Nevertheless, even if Theis usurps Bitadze for the backup big man plum, expect the Pacers brass to make him available for trades, especially with the team already having a veteran presence—for way cheaper value—in the form of James Johnson (assuming he makes the cut after the training camp).