As the Indiana Pacers look to re-establish themselves as legitimate title contenders, they must avoid trading their young guys just to make a trade. It is important for Indiana to bolster their roster and put the best possible team together. However, they need to do so without risking jeopardizing their future.
With Tyrese Haliburton out for all of next season, most expect the Pacers to take a back seat despite being fresh off an NBA Finals appearance. Though most are calling next season a gap year for the Pacers, it is fair to assume the team does not view it the same way. Instead, they will experiment a bit and look to remain competitive in the East while also learning a thing or two along the way.
Despite what next season may look like for the Pacers, they still have a bright future and should be in the title picture for a long time. However, as the team looks to remain contenders for the foreseeable future, they cannot move on from some of their young players unless they get a clear upgrade or championship piece in return.
The Pacers have many decisions they need to make soon
Sooner rather than later, the Pacers will have to make concrete decisions on players like Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker. Both of them, for one reason or another, have a lot to prove next year. Additionally, both of their futures in Indiana are up in the air, and a successful campaign for each of them should be enough to prove that they can be long-term contributors to the team.
Most eyes are on Mathurin next season. He is currently eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension, but it seems highly unlikely he will get a new deal this summer. Furthermore, there are questions about his long-term fit in Indiana, which could make him a prime trade candidate for the team.
Next season, the Canadian native will have his biggest role yet as the team's starting shooting guard. Alongside Andrew Nembhard in the backcourt, Mathurin should have a great opportunity to showcase his value and prove his worth. However, the Pacers may also opt to trade him down the line instead. While this might not be a bad decision outright, it is incredibly risky, especially since it could be detrimental to the team's future.
As for Walker, the jury is still out on him. He has shown flashes throughout the first two seasons of his NBA career, but he has still largely been a disappointment since he was a top-10 draft pick not too long ago. While his future in Indiana is also up in the air, next season will be huge for him. And, like Mathurin, he will be able to prove that he can be an asset for the Pacers for a long time.
It would make sense for the Pacers to make trades down the line and capitalize on their championship window, but not at the expense of losing key pieces of their future.