After their conference finals run last year, the Indiana Pacers are looking to have another deep playoff run this season. And, so far, things are looking great for them. They secured homecourt advantage for the first time since 2020 and currently have a 2-0 series lead over the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. Additionally, despite being four wins away from an NBA Finals appearance last year, the Pacers are even better this time around and are much more dangerous.
There is a lot of basketball remaining, but the Pacers are in a good spot to advance to the next round of the playoffs. However, even beyond that, the Pacers are also in a great position to facilitate the next major NBA trade, even if they are not involved in it.
The Pacers can shift the landscape of the NBA
Earlier this year, there were numerous major trades that went down in the NBA that included some of the league's top superstars, such as Luka Doncic, Anthony Davis, Jimmy Butler, and De'Aaron Fox, just to name a few. With how bizarre this year's trade season was, it left many to wonder who the next NBA superstar to get traded will be, with one name sticking out above the rest--Giannis Antetokounmpo.
The two-time NBA MVP has been the subject of trade rumors for a while, though nothing came to fruition. Recently, NBA insider Chris Haynes said he does not think Antetokounmpo will finish his career in Milwaukee. Furthermore, Haynes said he could see the Bucks trading their star player as early as this offseason, especially if they get sent home early in the playoffs once again.
Chris Haynes: "I don't think Giannis will finish his career in Milwaukee. Wholesale changes are coming in if they dont make a deep run in the playoffs, front office, coaching staff.."
— Maxence (@Xenceee) April 22, 2025
"Bucks could go on a different direction (trade Giannis) if things go sour in the post season" pic.twitter.com/dds9trvh9p
"If [the Bucks] don't get to the Finals, win the Finals, or even make a deep run, you can probably see some wholesale changes going on in Milwaukee from coaching staff and front office, to the players, it can be a pretty big, significant wholesale if the Milwaukee Bucks don't make a significant run this postseason," Haynes said.
"I can see that possibility [of the Bucks trading Giannis Antetokounmpo] if things go sour this postseason, for sure."
Like Haynes said, the Bucks could realistically trade Antetokounmpo if they fail to go on another deep playoff run this year. Since winning the NBA Finals in 2021, the Bucks have won just one playoff series and have failed to make it back to the conference finals. Additionally, they got sent home in the first round each of the last two years and are on the cusp of losing to the Pacers in the first round once again this year.
If the Pacers can eliminate the Bucks in the first round, they could force them to make some significant changes this summer, including moving on from Antetokounmpo. Even if they may not be involved directly, the Pacers have a chance to change the landscape of the NBA with just two more victories.