The Indiana Pacers are turning into a legitimate complete team, especially given their improved defense this season. However, in head coach Rick Carlisle's system, the Pacers will always be an offense-first team, and rightfully so. They have the perfect players in place, such as Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner, to get the most out of Carlisle's system. But with the trade deadline approaching, it may be time for the Pacers to determine what moves they should make to make their offense even better.
For the most part, the Pacers are likely better off standing pat. They have an incredibly talented roster that should only get better as the season progresses. However, if they are going to make any type of move this year, getting a three-point specalist is exactly what they need if they want to unlock the offense, which in turn will bring the absolute best out of the Pacers as a unit.
The Pacers should acquire a three-point specalist
Indiana should not necessarily regret making this move, but there is no doubt that something has been off about the team's offense since they traded Buddy Hield to the Philadelphia 76ers last year. When he was hot, Hield was a legitimate weapon in the Pacers' offense as a three-point threat. This opened the door for the rest of the team to get rolling as well.
Moving on from Hield, especially since he was a free agent last summer anyway, was not the wrong move. However, it is clear that he brought something to the team that has yet to be replicated. If the Pacers are going to make a move, adding a Hield-like threat should be a top priority.
There are plenty of good shooters on the Pacers. Their 37.3% shooting from beyond the arc ranks as the seventh-best in the league. However, if they can add a pure outside shooter to the team, it will make an already elite part of their game even better.
Possibly the most realistic trade option for them is Memphis Grizzlies wing Luke Kennard, who is shooting 46.6% from the three-point line this season, which is the third-best mark in the league. Kennard has taken on a smaller role in Memphis this season and is a free agent in the offseason. Trading for him likely will not come as much of a challenge and it would boost their offensive unit and their bench drastically.
The trade deadline is on February 6, so there is still some time for the Pacers to make a move if they want to. If that is what they opt to do, there is no question about what their first move should be.