The Indiana Pacers had an excellent 2023-24 season, finishing as the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference. Despite the strong regular season run, their performance in the Playoffs was even better, as they made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Expectations were high for the 2024-25 season, as they got valuable experience in the Playoffs. However, they have not gotten to a fiery start with their 13-15 record.
Star guard Tyrese Haliburton’s stats have dipped to 18.1 points and 8.6 assists per game. The rest of the team has performed at a decent level, but they have not reached the level of the previous season. Pascal Siakam has been good, albeit a little inconsistent. Myles Turner is playing well on both ends of the floor, while Bennedict Mathurin is breaking out as a strong contributor with his scoring.
However, the record shows the team is not at their best, which could lead to some panic trades for Indiana. Let us take a look at some of the most impactful trades they could make ahead of the deadline in February 2025.
The New Orleans Pelicans Get Their Stretch Center With Myles Turner
Pacers Receive: Brandon Ingram
Pelicans Receive: Myles Turner and Aaron Nesmith
After years of rumors of him getting traded away, the 2024-25 season might be the time for Myles Turner to move away from Indiana. He has been a loyal player to the Pacers, serving as their longest-tenured active player since 2015.
Turner is having a decent season, averaging 14.9 points, seven rebounds, and 2.1 blocks per game. His contributions to the offense are a little down, but he is still a game-changer whenever his name is called.
The New Orleans Pelicans will be a good trade partner, considering they have one of the worst records in the league. Trading for Turner could help them hit the reset button with the trade for Brandon Ingram, but they can also look at Myles’ fit alongside Zion Williamson.
Pelicans fans have always dreamed of having a center who could reliably shoot three-pointers alongside a dominant paint force like Zion. It is worth the gamble because Williamson has proven he is a superstar-level player when he is healthy.
Myles is a career 35.8% shooter from beyond the arc, which could be game-changing for the Pelicans. On defense, he is one of the best shot-blockers in the league, averaging 2.2 swats a night across his 10-year career.
The 2019 top overall pick is currently injured, but there is always a chance he gets fully healthy. The Pelicans will likely hit the reset button, but it would not hurt if they gambled on Zion for a little longer to test out if he and Turner fit well. It also does not hurt that they are getting Aaron Nesmith in this deal, who has been reliable since he joined Indiana.
The Los Angeles Lakers Get The Promising Bennedict Mathurin
Pacers Receive: Jaxson Hayes, Christian Wood, and Jarred Vanderbilt
Lakers Receive: Bennedict Mathurin
While Haliburton and Pascal Siakam are not playing at their best, Bennedict Mathurin is having a career year. The 22-year-old is scoring 17.2 points, grabbing 6.3 rebounds, and dishing 1.7 assists per game. He has been reliably efficient at 46.7% from the field and 37.7% from long distance.
He is an athletic player with a natural knack for scoring. That has been absent for a while on the Los Angeles Lakers roster. A vertical threat like him could boost the team, especially since LeBron James can play the point guard role when needed.
Mathurin can fit well into JJ Redick’s system with his scoring ability. That should mean the Lakers have a deeper rotation in the wing positions because Austin Reaves, Dalton Knecht, Max Christie, and Rui Hachimura have done a decent job.
However, they could elevate the team to the next level with a player like Mathurin. The Lakers usually play at a slower pace, but with Mathurin, they have a fearless player who will always attack the paint.
This opens the door for Anthony Davis to make even more of an impact on offense. The Lakers having a rim attacker leads to AD getting more space to go for the offensive rebound or be open for a pocket pass and an easy finish at the rim.
The Pacers will do this to shed his contract while getting two expiring contracts and a superb defender like Jarred Vanderbilt. Of course, they could easily re-route Vando to another team because any team would love to have a versatile defender. The issue with him is the injuries, which could be a deciding factor for this Mathurin trade.
The Pacers Aim For Center Depth With Clint Capela
Pacers Receive: Clint Capela
Hawks Receive: Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, and a 2025 Second-Round Pick from the Miami Heat
After Isaiah Jackson tore his Achilles, the Pacers have been struggling with their center depth. They traded for Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat, but he is not the backup center that could prove to be game-changing for Indiana.
That is where a potential trade for the Atlanta Hawks‘ Clint Capela comes in. He is on the final year of his contract, so the Hawks are probably willing to send him out. This opens the door for Onyeka Okongwu to finally be the Hawks’ starting center.
By getting Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker, the Hawks get more options at the power forward and small-ball center roles. They are both extremely athletic, which bodes well for potential link-ups with point guard maestro Trae Young.
Capela joining the Pacers is a great move because Turner cannot play the center role by himself. Bryant is a decent player, but he is not as proven as Capela, who could be a reliable pick-and-roll partner for any guard while playing solid paint defense.
Clint is averaging 10 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game for the Hawks. He might have his playing time cut short in Indy, but Haliburton might be the best fit for him outside of Young.
The Pacers Swing For The Fences With Jerami Grant
Pacers Receive: Jerami Grant
Trail Blazers Receive: Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Jarace Walker
The Pacers could get one of the most valuable players in the trade market by going for Jerami Grant. The 6’8″ forward has been superb for the Portland Trail Blazers over the past few seasons.
He has averaged 19.9 points per game for the Blazers and remains a disruptive defender. While Portland would love a first-round draft pick in the deal, getting a promising player like Jarace Walker could be enough to convince the Blazers’ front office.
Nesmith and Toppin appear again here, even if they are reliable rotation players. However, getting a player of Grant’s caliber could be the key to unlocking the Pacers’ potential.
They could run a starting five of Haliburton, Mathurin, Grant, Siakam, and Turner. That is a rock-solid five-man lineup, but they still maintain solid depth with players like Andrew Nembhard and TJ McConnell.
The Pacers Shoot For A Lockdown Defender With Herb Jones
Pacers Receive: Herb Jones
Pelicans Receive: Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy, and a 2028 First-Round Pick
As only the 23rd-best defense in the league with a defensive rating of 115.1, the Pacers need more help. They could look into the trade market and find that the Pelicans might be willing to talk about Herbert Jones.
They were already brought up before with the Turner trade, but this mock trade could happen when they double down on a potential fire sale. Yves Missi and Trey Murphy III are classified as the only untouchables, which could open the door for a defensive stalwart like Jones.
Herb is scoring 11.2 points a game this season, which could improve when playing alongside an elite playmaker like Tyrese.
Nesmith has been a solid piece for a while in Indiana, but getting Jones might be the best move. He is arguably the best wing defender in the game, which could help Haliburton and Mathurin play better on that end of the floor.
The Pelicans get two promising young players in Walker and Furphy alongside a first-round pick in 2028. This is a risky trade because Nesmith has been proven to work in the system while Walker has been progressing well. However, teams should not pass on a talent like Jones.
