The Indiana Pacers have a problem. They have a player on their roster that is playing at a career level that may not want to resign with them in the summer. This puts them in a bit of a predicament in terms of how to proceed.
Such has been the saga of Myles Turner in his time in Indy.
Turner has constantly been in trade rumors and it’s easy to see why. Defensive bigs that can shoot the three don’t come around every day, and the Pacers might have the best one in the league. However, since the Pacers failed campaign at Deandre Ayton over the summer, one wonders if there is continued tension between the two sides.
In the last few days, it seems that Turner extension talks may have started to move forward. However, the Pacers need to have a backup plan in case the extension talks lead nowhere.
That is where the Brooklyn Nets fall into the picture. The Nets have chronically underachieved since Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving both started playing for the franchise. This past summer, Durant even went as so far as to ask for a trade. Thus, there is certainly motivation on their part to keep Durant happy and try to win a championship.
A trade to benefit both franchises
Our friends over at HoopsHabit have proposed a trade between the two teams. And it goes as follows:
The Nets would get Myles Turner to help the team on the defensive side of the ball. Since Durant and company joined Brooklyn the Nets have been a historically bad defense. Oftentimes they can make up for it with amazing offense, but this move would help to balance out the two sides of the ball.
The Pacers would get Joe Harris, an overpriced player with one more year on his deal. It would be a way to utilize salary cap space, and would add shooting in the short term. Cam Thomas is a young player that the jury is still out on. He could develop into a solid rotational player or be a trade-worthy piece in the coming years.
The prize of the trade is a 2027 unprotected first-round pick, which is the ultimate asking price for either Turner or Hield to get moved.
8 points, 9 seconds grade: A
This trade delivers on nearly every front for the Indiana Pacers. It brings back a player with a short contract that is overpaid, opening up future cap room.
It brings in a younger prospect that would match the timeline of the current rotation in a low risk high reward move.
And it brings in an unprotected first round pick via Philadelphia. And if the rumors about James Harden potentially wanting to move are true, this pick would potentially be a much better pick than it sounds like today.
Of course, this all hinges on how the Pacers extension talks are going with Turner. Currently, he fits in great with the current roster as constructed, and I’m sure the Pacers would be thrilled to keep him for the long haul (if the price is right).
However, if the extension talks begin to take a turn south, this trade would be a great option to have in your back pocket.
What do you think about the trade? Would the Pacers be smart to do it?