Pacers Trade Rumors: Indiana emerging as a strong suitor for this big man

Should the Indiana Pacers actively pursue Jarred Vanderbilt via trade?

To set a premise, Jarred Vanderbilt is a Swiss Army knife type of player who can plug a lot of holes both offensively and defensively. On offense, he is a very efficient, yet low usage pick-and-roll man who’s adept at finishing around the rim while possessing above-average passing chops. On defense, he can guard all positions with his length and mobility as a versatile disruptor who thrives particularly well defending in space.

Honestly speaking, all of those things are what the Indiana Pacers urgently need to balance out their team profile. Should the Jazz lower their asking price, naturally, they have to do what it takes to secure Vanderbilt away from other reported bidders such as Portland and Philadelphia.

However, dangling away a first-rounder for his services should be the line that the Pacers should not flirt with crossing, especially if it is the lone move they make before the trade deadline to improve the roster. After all, Isaiah Jackson, Jalen Smith, and even Daniel Theis can suffice as a committee for the backup big man role for the meantime. Upside also remains with that group with Smith and Jackson still being too young and valuable to waste as outgoing pieces.

For the right price, the Indiana Pacers should trade for Jarred Vanderbilt. However, they probably should not try to outspend other bidders if the need to do just that arises, as the team houses several alternatives who can eventually emerge as in-house solutions to their woes.