This big-time trade benefits both the Charlotte Hornets and Indiana Pacers
By Joe Lyon
The Indiana Pacers are in need of a power forward. They have searched far and wide in the last decade and have yet to really find a long-term answer that can help them defend larger wings across the league. The problem continually shows up in late game situations as well as playoff/play-in games and series.
The Indiana Pacers are on the upswing this season outperforming many fans’ expectations. The Charlotte Hornets find themselves on the other side of the spectrum, seemingly falling apart when they should have been a decent team this year.
Injuries to players like Gordon Hayward and Lamelo Ball have set the franchise back this season putting the Hornets in the position of potentially being sellers at the deadline. As such, there are multiple moves the Pacers could make off of their surplus of first round draft picks that better Charlotte while also improving the Pacers roster immediately.
So we look at three trades that the Pacers could do to capitalize on the Hornets misfortune and the excess of draft capital that they currently are sitting on, and in return, get pieces that could help the Pacers further contend in the short term.
It seems that fans would rather make a playoff push than try for draft odds (see below for examples):
Getting to the NBA Finals is a rare achievement and one the Pacers have only done once in my lifetime. A chance to win a title is always the goal. Take a W instead of a lottery ticket.
— Tim (@TimFromSeattle) January 9, 2023
we want memories, not hope based on potential (we’ve already had plenty of that)
— felonious handle (@felonioushandle) January 8, 2023
Well friends, getting pieces is how you do that, and Charlotte has plenty of them for trade. Let’s see a few ideas.