Grade the trade proposal: Pacers land elite wing defender

The Indiana Pacers have a few notable flaws on their team, but arguably the most devastating is their lack of elite defense. Since Rick Carlisle returned as the team's head coach in 2021, the Pacers have regularly finished as a bottom defensive team in the league, though they have gradually improved every year since.

To start this season, nothing has changed for Indiana. A few weeks into the campaign, they rank in the bottom 10 in Opp. PPG and DRTG. It also does not help their cause that Aaron Nesmith, their best wing defender, suffered an ankle injury earlier this month and will likely be out until at least the beginning of December.

The Pacers always seem willing to make trades to help the team contend. This was especially true when they landed Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors last year. While they are not in any hot trade rumors at the moment, things always change quickly in the NBA.

In a recent article for Bleacher Report, Dan Favale wrote about one trade each team in the league should make nearly a month into the season. For the Pacers, he suggested that they land a top wing defender for just a couple of second-round picks, which is something fans can certainly get behind.

Bleacher Report suggests the Pacers should trade for Haywood Highsmith

Favale proposes that the Pacers should acquire Haywood Highsmith from the Miami Heat for two future second-round picks. As Favale mentions in the article, this trade is done from the perspective that Indiana is offering it to Miami, not that this is necessarily a fair trade for both teams.

From Indiana's side, this is an obvious win. Highsmith is a fantastic wing defender who offers size and versatility. Even when Nesmith is healthy, the Pacers struggle to defend bigger wings, especially ball-dominant ones. Acquiring Highsmith would improve this area drastically for Indiana, regardless of whether the plan is for him to replace Nesmith or form a tandem alongside him.

In theory, Highsmith is very similar to what Jarace Walker can be. Both are capable of playing each forward position, and they each offer value on the offensive side of the ball. Despite initially struggling as a three-point shooter, Highsmith has become a bit of a perimeter threat over the last few seasons.

Furthermore, if the Heat would accept this trade from Indiana, the Pacers give up close to nothing to land a player who can make an immediate impact. Though they have hit on many of their draft picks recently, it is always better to acquire the sure thing, which is Highsmith in this case.

As for Miami, it is difficult to imagine they would make a trade like this. They already have an aging roster, and Highsmith, who turns 28 in December, seems primed for a long-term role with the team. The only true upside of this trade for Miami is that it could open the door for players like Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Nikola Jovic to have bigger opportunities.

Nonetheless, while Highsmith would be a great addition for Indiana, only trading two second-round picks for him without giving up any players does not seem like a realistic option, and it does very little (if anything at all) to benefit the Heat.

Indiana Pacers grade: A-

Miami Heat grade: D+