Should the Pacers trade for Brandon Ingram?
Indiana is getting the best player in this trade and improving their overall talent. Ingram was an All-Star in 2020 and has scored over 20 points per game for five straight years. There is no denying his talent, but fit matters.
The Pacers are upgrading from Nesmith to BI, but losing their starting center. It would leave them with James Wiseman as their only true five. They could to shift a forward down, but Pascal Siakam and Obi Topping cannot be expected to handle every minute at center. Making this move would leave Indiana with a hole in the middle and limited options to fill it.
This all makes no mention of the fresh contract they would need to give Ingram to keep him. If he will only accept a max deal, that could quickly turn into a disaster for the Pacers. This move just does not make sense, especially when considering play style.
Grade: D+
Upgrading your talent is usually a positive, but the Pacers were second in offensive rating last season at 24th on defense. Trading for a score-first option with defensive concerns is not a way to improve their odds of winning a title. Indiana needs defense and pieces that fit around their two current stars. Not another big man capable of scoring 20 every night.
Brandon Ingram’s suitors are limited for several seasons, but the biggest may be his ability to impact winning at the salary figures he desires. This is not the worst trade, but the Indiana Pacers should wait for a better fit. The questions led this deal to earn a D-plus, and fans should not expect it to happen anytime soon.