The Indiana Pacers are in a predicament of being in the middle of the pack. If management believes that they have the pieces and just need to grow, perhaps the Pacers would be best to hold steady through the trade deadline. The other option would be to try and make a splash on the trade market or in free agency. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports reports that teams around the leageu believe Indy will take the second route:
"There’s indeed a growing sense among rival teams that Indiana will search for upgrades ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline, albeit with an eye trained toward players who fit the Pacers’ long-term vision. This is not a potential Jae Crowder suitor, or a playoff contender trying to pry Bogdanovic from Detroit."
This sounds that the Pacers are not only interested in trading, but much more interested in the long-term vision. Thus, we are unlikely to see them move for one-year rentals or older players that wouldn’t fit the timeline of the current core. The report went on to talk about the position that the Pacers are wanting:
"Indiana has been looking for a power forward for several seasons, league sources told Yahoo Sports, and that position appears to be the logical place for an upgrade alongside center Myles Turner, who has flourished this season with point guard Tyrese Haliburton."
This makes sense, it has been years since the Pacers have had a solid option that naturally fit the power forward position. Between the Turbonis experiments to the flexing of guards this season, Indy would benefit from a long-term vision at that position.
There are multiple options across the league, but many of them will come at a price. Previous reports have linked the Pacers to the Knicks in Obi Toppin talks as well as rumors around OG Anunoby wanting to come back and play in Indiana. Only time will tell how much of this is fact and how much is speculation.
However the newest reports indicate that the Pacers are likely open for business and may be wheeling and dealing before this is all over in February.