The Indiana Pacers have stood idly so far after re-signing Myles Turner to a contract extension, suggesting that the franchise may stand pat at the trade deadline instead of yielding to widespread projections about the team being very prominent sellers in the upcoming weeks with their slew of valuable trade candidates.
However, even without resorting to their widely rumored veterans as trade chips, the Pacers still have a bevy of other players, in addition to significant draft capital, to try and strike a deal in hopes of improving their roster — an utmost necessity given Indiana’s brass clear intent to win now and chase a playoff spot this season.
The Indiana Pacers should still be in the running for disgruntled Knicks forward Cam Reddish
One player whom the Pacers should try to actively pursue at the deadline is disgruntled New York Knicks forward Cam Reddish, who has largely been an afterthought for the Tom Thibodeau-led squad. The Knicks seem to be pretty amenable to moving him, as signified by reports of their dulling asking price for the 23-year-old.
Various teams have been rumored to be interested in Reddish aside from the Pacers, but here is one trade proposal that could get them to win the bidding “war” and entice the Knicks into dangling the seldom-used youngster.
The Pacers land Cam Reddish from the Knicks in this trade proposal
In this trade proposal, the Indiana Pacers send center Goga Bitadze and a 2023 second-round pick from Houston, Dallas, or Miami (whichever is worse) to the New York Knicks for forward Cam Reddish.
Bitadze, a fourth-year middle man, has remained negligible for Rick Carlisle and the Pacers this season. Stuck behind Isaiah Jackson, Jalen Smith, and even Daniel Theis in the second unit rotation, he has barely played this season. In fact, he’s logging the fewest minutes per game in his career since his rookie campaign.
Meanwhile, with three first-round picks and two second-rounders this year, Indiana has a grand sum of five total picks in this loaded draft class. That is a clear surplus of draft capital that will definitely not remain untouched, as due diligence (and roster limits) will push the Pacers to at least move one, and in this proposal, they would be discarding their worst one.
Now, let’s zoom in a bit on why this should be an offer the Pacers brass should put on the table for Reddish.
Why the Indiana Pacers should aggressively pursue Cam Reddish
The Indiana Pacers arguably have one of the less balanced rosters in the league, housing a glut of big men and guards but lacking true forwards. If anything, toning down on this imbalance should be one of their priorities at the trade deadline.
At 6’8. Cam Reddish has more than enough length to immediately make an impact for the Pacers in that regard, as they currently only have one viable and natural forward in Oshae Brissett to match up against talented perimeter-oriented forwards, save for small-ball — and unsustainable — coping mechanisms in the form of Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard, and even Buddy Hield guarding lankier wings and forwards.
Reddish profiles more as a moving wildcard on offense, possessing uncanny scoring prowess as a potential three-level scorer, and while his defensive showings have been far from noteworthy, he has the physical tools to be serviceable on that end at the least. Alas, with Chris Duarte reportedly available for plucking, his offensive game could easily replenish that if the former skips town.
For the rather menial price of a benchwarmer in Bitadze — who can actually play sparingly for the Knicks given Thibodeau’s coaching niche with big men — and a second-rounder that they have to liquidate anyway, the Indiana Pacers should remain on the hunt for Cam Reddish, and pull all the reasonable buttons to keep them ahead of the pack.