The Indiana Pacers are potentially looking to buy at the trade deadline, rather than being the sellers that many thought they would be going in to the season. Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports writes in his newest report that the Pacers are open to moving Chris Duarte in return for a power forward, with John Collins being linked in the report. He goes on to say:
"Would a combination of Duarte and draft capital be enough to satisfy Atlanta’s desired value in return for John Collins? Indiana has internally discussed the prospect of adding Collins, sources told Yahoo Sports."
The Pacers certainly have a large void at power forward and excessive draft capital for next year. The addition of Collins, as disappointing as he has been this season, may be the perfect storm to get a player with a high ceiling.
Additionally, if the Hawks would have any interest in Duarte, who has been difficult to watch on the court for the Pacers this season, it may be in the Pacers best interest to move off his contract now given the shooting guard rotation is already bloated as is.
We think a trade could look something like this.
Atlanta and Indiana swap underperforming players
Both Collins and Duarte are having slight down years, with Duarte being the less valuable player. However, the Hawks have an embarrassment of riches at the forward position. They may be willing to take a slight downgraded player if draft capital is coming back in return (trade confirmed through NBA trade machine).
The Hawks would get a first round pick via Boston for the upcoming draft. In negotiations, it may be likely that the Pacers would need to up that a bit with either their own or the Cavaliers pick. Additionally, the Hawks would get a pick swap in the 2024 first round, allowing them to have the better of the two picks.
The Pacers in return would get the power forward of their future and a player that has shown flashes of an ability to play at a borderline all-star level. Collins likely will never be the cornerstone of a team, but he certainly could be a foundational piece for a young and up-and-coming team like the Pacers.
We feel this would be a good trade for the Pacers
While this may not knock it out of the park, this certainly would be a solid option for the Pacers. There are other forwards out there that the Pacers may be able to get for cheaper (Obi Toppin) or that are clearly better options (OG Anunoby). However, Collins may be the most realistic given the market at the moment and which teams are looking to move on from their pieces.
We grade this trade: B+
Ultimately, it would fulfill a position of need for the Pacers but would be giving up Duarte prematurely. There is certainly the possibility that Chris is able to pull it together and get himself out of the slump that he is currently in. We saw last year that he has a high ceiling when things get going for him.
And there is certainly the chance that the player John Collins looks like today is the player he will continue to be. If this is the case, the trade could not work out given the amount of draft capital the Pacers would have to give up. Thus, we cannot give it an A.