Grade the trade: Pacers trade Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings

The Pacers are coming off of one of their more busy free agency weeks in some time. They made plenty of moves to both draft players, sign players, and trade for them. And one of those trades has finally gone through, which is Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings.

We have known for some time that the Pacers were in the process of sending Duarte to the Kings, but what was unknown was what the Pacers would be getting back. However, on Thursday we finally learned what the Pacers were able to acquire for their second-year failed lottery pick.

The two second-round picks in return for Duarte, while disappointing, seem like what his market value is at the moment. Duarte is coming off of an extremely disappointing season where he seemingly regressed from his rookie campaign while continuing to struggle with the injury bug. His upside is limited given his age, and so he probably will be able to better fit his new role in Sacramento on a team that is trying to compete at the highest level right now. They will also be a better fit for his playstyle.

While the trade may be disappointing to many fans, the value is likely appropriate.

Given that two second-round picks were traded to the Knicks in return for Obi Toppin, the Pacers essentially traded Chris Duarte for Obi Toppin, a trade that makes a lot of sense given the playstyle of the Haliburton-led Pacers who are running and gunning for the most part. In the absence of the Obi Toppin deal, we probably would have given this trade a B- given that the Pacers needed to give up on a lottery pick so quickly. However, in the broader context of trading away Duarte for Toppin, we give this trade a B+.

Indiana Pacers: Reviewing the Chris Duarte experience and reported trade

It was reported on Friday that guard Chris Duarte would be sent by the Indiana Pacers to the Sacramento Kings in a trade.