No, the Indiana Pacers aren't real suitors for Anthony Davis. But the Atlanta Hawks are. And if they land the 10-time All-Star, they may be open to trading big man Onyeka Okongwu, who Indiana reportedly has interest in (h/t Jake Fischer of The Stein Line).
"I was told this week, for example, that Indiana has called Atlanta on Onyeka Okongwu in addition to its previously reported interest in players such as Dallas' Daniel Gafford and the (perceived as much harder-to-get) Ivica Zubac of the LA Clippers."
Should the Pacers trade for Onyeka Okongwu?
You know how, in most cases, there is a bidding war when multiple teams are interested in landing one specific player? It's almost like the Pacers are in the complete opposite boat: they're just one team reaching out to half the league to finally address their center problems and may be willing to spend whatever it takes to make it happen.
So far, Indiana has been linked to a handful of big men as it looks to find its Myles Turner replacement. This includes players like Ivica Zubac, Walker Kessler, Daniel Gafford, Yves Missi, Nic Claxton, and now Okongwu. All of these players would be big upgrades for the Pacers for one reason or another, and it's clear that they will need a more dependable center if they want to re-establish themselves as serious title contenders next year.
But would Okongwu be a worthy addition for the Pacers? Even without factoring in how desperate they probably are (and should be) to land a new starting center, there is a lot to like about the California native and what he brings to the table.
Through 41 games this season (including 30 starts), Okongwu has averaged 16.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1 block in 32 minutes. He is also shooting 48.2% from the field and has become a bit of a floor spacer, shooting 36% from deep on 5.4 attempts per game.
The 25-year-old is in the second year of a four-year, $61.9 million contract, provides a lot of value on both sides of the ball, and is only getting better with even more room to grow. If he actually is available on the trade market, then the Pacers absolutely should pounce on this opportunity and look to add him to the team.
Okongwu would be a fantastic fit in Indiana because of his ability to stretch the floor, play with energy, and play solid defense. He would be an obvious upgrade over Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and Micah Potter, and he fits the team's timeline.
With the trade deadline just a few weeks away, it's safe to assume that the Pacers will be incredibly active as they look to find their next long-term center. And if the latest reports are true, then Okongwu may be one specific player worth keeping an eye on as a potential trade candidate for Indiana.