This Jalen Smith trade proposal could divide Indiana Pacers fans

The Indiana Pacers are 11-7 heading into a crucial point of the season which could very well determine how equipped they are to truly compete for a postseason spot. All things considered, their current record has eclipsed most expectations for the squad, as many, if not all, pegged the team to be cellar dwellers heading into the season.

Still, as each game passes, the Pacers’ roster needs become more apparent. Despite the club touting a solid starting unit that, at its best, could give even the best teams on paper a run for their money, some perceive the power forward position as a point of improvement.

Are the Indiana Pacers truly set on the power forward position?

Jalen Smith, who enjoyed a mini-breakout with Indiana late last season before signing a discounted extension in the summer, has been the team’s starting power forward in all 18 games so far, averaging a solid 10.3 points and 7.4 rebounds in just 23.7 minutes per game, which is actually a hair lower than his average per-game minutes in the previous campaign.

However, Smith’s shooting has been far from remarkable. The young forward has only been shooting 41.7 percent from the field, including a meager 25 percent from downtown, a far cry from the surprising 53.1/37.3 shooting splits he turned in last season.

Early returns seldom warrant a full-blown evaluation, especially for a team willing to be patient like the Pacers, but given how the team suddenly looks not so far off from legitimately competing, tabbing Smith as the weak link so far is not a gross overreaction.

Hence, this trade proposal could be one that divides Indiana Pacers fans.