Are these 4 trades worth it for the Indiana Pacers?

Trade for an elite forward

One place the Pacers have been notoriously weak over the last couple of years has been on the wing/forward position. This trade solves that by bringing in an elite player.

Of course, with great reward comes great cost. NBA analysis network proposes the following trade scenario:

Indiana Pacers Receive: Jimmy Butler

Miami Heat Receive: Buddy Hield, T.J. McConnell, 2023 First (Cleveland), 2023 Fist (Boston), 2024 First

The cost is high, but Jimmy Butler is certainly an elite player, having elevated nearly every franchise he has been a part of. The Heat are underperforming this year, would they possibly consider moving on from their franchise player?

While the Pacers would be giving up a lot of draft capital, ultimately, they would keep their own first-round pick in the upcoming draft. That would give us one more piece in addition to the Butler add.

While this may make sense for the Pacers, it is doubtful that the Heat would be willing to move on that quickly from their best player. Additionally, the cost is extremely high at three first-round picks, especially if Mathurin can develop into the player that Butler already is.

While I imagine the Pacers would be interested in this trade, it is unlikely that the Heat would be. Nevertheless, it would certainly receive a higher grade in terms of the Pacers’ point of view.

Our grade: B+