The Indiana Pacers are having a surprisingly strong season this year. While many expected the team to be languishing at the bottom of the conference, the Pacers are emerging as a team that could genuinely make a run to the NBA Playoffs. Veteran coach Rick Carlisle knows how to extract the potential from his players, and he’s done that so far.
Despite the surprise the Pacers have provided, they’ve been tumbling back down the standings in recent weeks, going 3-8 in their last 11 games. They’re currently 15-16 and need to pick a direction to go into. The tank would be the most favorable, given the age and experience of most of the roster. Victor Wembanyama is a very attractive prospect, after all.
The Pacers have been one of the most talked about trade market teams this season, so let’s take a look at the 3 players the team needs to trade away this season.
3. TJ McConnell
T.J. McConnell has been a long-standing veteran for the Indiana Pacers, playing under his third head coach with the team currently. His veteran leadership has made him malleable and extremely valuable in a locker room that’s as young as this Pacers one. However, there is value around the league for a McConnell-like backup point guard.
McConnell has averaged 5.4 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals so far this season and is on the final year of an $8,100,000 contract. Teams like the Toronto Raptors could use McConnell off their bench for a utility salary-matching piece like Khem Birch and one or two second-round picks if they decide not to tank.
“The Raptors reserve point guards, Dalano Banton and Malachi Flynn, are talented but inexperienced. McConnell would give the team a veteran behind Fred VanVleet, and his ability to apply pressure defensively would fit the Raptors defensive style.” (h/t Sports Illustrated)
The Nets could see value in getting McConnell for someone like Patty Mills, who the team have recently removed from the rotation entirely. This will allow possible All-Star Tyrese Haliburton to fully take over the point guard duties of the team and blossom further.
2. Buddy Hield
Buddy Hield has been one of the names on the trade market for years. His unique skillset makes it hard for teams to accurately represent his value. He’s never played in the NBA playoffs and is on a $20,522,728 contract, purely for his shooting ability. He’s converting at a 39.4% rate this season on 9.3 attempts a game.
Hield could be moved for a second-round pick, provided the Pacers receive a promising young player in return. However, everyone expects Hield to be a Laker if the team can bring themselves to give up a first-round pick for him. The Pacers are under no pressure to move him, given he is under contract for one more year.
“The Lakers surely could use Hield’s shooting, durability and veteran savvy, although his defense, handle and current multiyear deal (of more than $40 million over two seasons) raised questions about the fit,” (h/t The Athletic)
Sending him to a contender will help Hield actually provide winning basketball for the first time in his career and allow the Pacers to give players like Bennedict Mathurin and Andrew Nembhard more opportunities in that position. Even if it isn’t the Lakers, the Pacers can find value for someone with Hield’s abilities.
1. Myles Turner
Myles Turner has been in trade rumors for years, and with a recent switch in his sports agency ahead of free agency, it seems Turner could be ready to move on from Indiana. There’s no value in letting Turner’s $17,500,000 contract just expire for nothing when there are teams willing to offer the Pacers something for him.
“The main reason Myles’ name is going to be brought up a lot heading towards the trade deadline is because he is in a contract year and should he want to get to free agency and the Pacers do not have a clear indication that they are the favorite to retain him, they have to move him,” Agness went on to explain. “They have to move him and capture value for him while they can. I think at this juncture, we are trending towards Turner possibly being moved ahead of the deadline because nothing has been clear from his side in terms of him wanting to remain in Indiana and sign an extension.” (h/t Sports Illustrated)
Naturally, the Lakers have been the most linked team. However, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers could also make moves for the shot-blocking center, who is averaging 16.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and converting 3s at a 41.1% rate this season.
Player salaries via Spotrac.
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