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Ranking the Pacers' 3 best trade assets from most to least replaceable

By Elie Deglaoui

Feb 2, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) dribbles the ball while Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Feb 2, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) dribbles the ball while Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell (15) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images / Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
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Andrew Nembhar
May 14, 2024; New York, New York, USA; Indiana Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard (2) dribbles up court during game five of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images / Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

2. Andrew Nembhard

Nembhard is probably the closest Pacer to being an "untouchable" while not quite being there just yet.

The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign with the Pacers last season. His regular season campaign was nothing too special, but his performance in the playoffs gave Pacers fans a lot of reasons to be excited about his future with the team.

Nembhard started all 17 games of Indiana's conference finals run last season. In those games, he averaged 14.9 points on 56% from the field and an astounding 48.3% from the three-point line. Additionally, he averaged 5.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game.

His playoff performance also includes two consecutive masterclasses against the Celtics. In Haliburton's absence for Games 3 and 4 of the conference finals, Nembhard averaged 28 points, 9.5 assists, and 5 rebounds. He also shot an amazing 56.4% from the field and 53.8% from beyond the arc.

Nembhard's playoff breakout landed him a three-year, $58.7 million contract extension. This will keep him locked up through the 2027-28 season.

Ultimately, it is fair to assume the Pacers will not trade Nembhard any time soon. He looks like a potential All-Star in the making, and he looked solid during Team Canada's run in the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, we know other teams around the league have interest in the former second-round pick and consider him a potential "lead guard."

For now, Nembhard's spot in Indiana is secure. However, if he is ever looking for a bigger opportunity, trading him may eventually become a legitimate option for the Pacers.

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