Grade the Trade: Blockbuster swap proposed for the Pacers and Raptors

In the modern NBA, teams are always looking to see what they can get on the trade market as players are constantly changing teams as GM’s look to put together the ideal combination of players on the court.

And this offseason, the Pacers have made quite a few moves to make the team better. They made a trade early with Denver to consolidate draft picks, they traded Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings, they traded for the Knick’s Obi Toppin, and they signed free agent Bruce Brown. On top of all of this they drafted a power foward in Jarace Walker that has starting-level potential in the NBA.

So some might say that there is very little incentive for the Pacers to make any kind of trade with what remains of the offseason, but the Pacers could make a few moves to speed up their rebuilding timeline and make themselves competitive much faster in the Eastern Conference.

One team that they have the opportunity to exploit is the Toronto Raptors, who look like a team without a clear direction that continue to make baffling moves to the rest of the league. Here is one trade idea that has been proposed between the two teams.

Indiana obtains another piece in their developing frontcourt.

One piece that the Pacers have been rumored to be interested in is OG Anunoby, former Indiana Hoosier, who has developed into quite a player up in Toronto. Here is a package that has been proposed by Bleacher Report that involves the Pacers giving up significant capital for Anunoby from the Raptors:

"“The Trade: Indiana Pacers acquire O.G. Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors for Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, a 2024 first-round pick (top-10 protected) and a 2025 first-round pick swap.”"

This trade would have the Pacers giving up quite a bit of capital to acquire OG, so it likely goes without saying that the Pacers would have to know that Anunoby was planning to resign with the team at the end of the season or include some kind of renegotiated contract between the two parties.

OG is a spectacular player that could bring a lot of versatility to the Pacers lineup and guard nearly every position on the court. But would he be worth giving up Mathurin, our best young prospect, along with essentially two first-round picks?

This would be just too much for the Pacers to give up for a player that they could sign in free agency next summer.

It’s possible that OG Anunoby wants to come to Indiana either way, which means that the Pacers could very well sign him when his contract ends next offseason. The Pacers will be in the sweepstakes next summer if he truly has any interest in Indiana.

Mathurin is too good of a talent to give up on this early, even for a talented player. Mathurin could develop into an all-star player, while Anunoby is likely already closer to his ceiling than Bennedict. Additionally, the first round pick and swap seems like too much for a player we may get for much less and that doesn’t move the needle into title contention for the team.

Don’t get me wrong, I love OG Anunoby as much as the next guy. And I truly believe that he would help this team win games. But sometimes you have to know when the ask is just too high.

Are you a Pacers fan? Your offseason is officially over.

If you are a diehard Pacers fan, it turns out your offseason is over earlier than normal. This week the Pacers, at least one, will be back on the court.