Indiana Pacers Receive: G Lonzo Ball, CLE 2021 2nd Round Pick (via NOP)

New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G TJ McConnell, F Doug McDermott

The Indiana Pacers have been dealing with some major injuries this year as TJ Warren is still sidelined with a foot injury he had surgery on and newly acquired Caris LeVert is still deemed out indefinitely after having surgery to remove a small mass from his kidney. LeVert could be out for the remainder of the season and with Warren not expected to be back until mid-March, this team needs to find another playmaker in their backcourt outside of Brogdon. 

Lonzo Ball is a great all-around player and has shown that early on in his career. Now in his fourth season, Ball has averaged 11.0 points, 5.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.5 steals over the course of his career. 

Given the weapons the Pacers have in Brogdon, Sabonis and Turner, Lonzo Ball could join this team and basically be in the same role he is in now with the Pelicans, but on a better overall team. Not to mention, he could even remain in the starting lineup if the Pacers move Brogdon to shooting guard. 

TJ McConnell is a pretty versatile guard and Doug McDermott has been putting together an excellent season up to this point. Both guys could make big impacts for the Pelicans bench, especially since their bench ranks dead-last in the NBA in scoring. 

The Pacers seem to be inching closer to being a lock for the playoffs in the Eastern Conference, but if they are to be a legit championship contender, they are going to have to add more firepower to their rotations. As for the Pelicans, if they are going to be a legit playoff team, they are going to have to sacrifice a key role player to acquire two key bench players. 

Both of these teams still have work to do if they are going to reach their full potential, which is why this trade is very much in play. Let’s take a closer look as to why both teams benefit from this trade and why it makes sense for both of them.