This year's NBA Trade Deadline is on February 6, only a few weeks away. Despite having already made a trade earlier this season by acquiring Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat, the Indiana Pacers might be a team to monitor ahead of the deadline. Nothing is imminent, but they have already been involved in some rumors (i.e. pursuing Brooklyn Nets forward Cam Johnson, potentially trading Obi Toppin for salary cap relief, etc.).
The Pacers currently own a 22-19 record. Even with their rocky start to the season, Indiana looks destined for another playoff appearance. After making the conference finals less than a year ago, the Pacers are surely looking to make another deep run, potentially advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in over two decades.
Naturally, as a team firmly in the playoff hunt, the Pacers could look to make a few trades to bolster their roster in hopes of a push in the second half of the season. On paper, this could be a great idea. If they get an immediate contributor for good value, it could help them move closer to teams like the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics in the East. However, there is one major mistake the Pacers must avoid ahead of this year's trade deadline that could set them back now and in the future.
The Pacers cannot jeopardize future for win-now players
Indiana has a lot of young talent on the roster. Star guard Tyrese Haliburton will turn 25 next month, and players like Andrew Nembhard (who turns 25 today), Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, and Jarace Walker are all young contributors who are still developing as players.
The Pacers have one of the youngest rosters in the league. For a team looking to compete for a title now, trading some of these young assets for more established players could help their immediate championship odds. This is likely why the Pacers are pursuing Johnson, who turns 29 in March. He is a great fit and is likely at his peak right now. However, making a move like this is risky for the Pacers.
There is reason to believe that Indiana has a championship-level roster already in place. The team is young and naturally progressing, even though they were just four wins away from an NBA Finals appearance last season. Additionally, Rick Carlisle is already a championship-winning head coach, and they have turned into one of the most complete teams in basketball. Trading a player or two who can help them in the long run is a risk the Pacers should not consider taking unless the trade is a no-brainer.
Indiana could be active in the trade market this year, and there is nothing wrong with that. But making a trade that could jeopardize their long-term title odds to maybe inch closer to a ring this year is a move the Pacers would be better off not making.