Why This Trade Makes Sense For The Pacers

With Caris LeVert and T.J. Warren both being sidelined indefinitely, the Pacers could use some depth on the wing and could definitely utilize an athletic talent like the Raptors’ Norman Powell.

Edmond Sumner, Justin Holiday, and Doug McDermott have picked up some of the slack with the Pacers’ stars being out, but ultimately, if this team is going to contend, they are going to need a guy coming off the bench that they feel can make a huge impact for them.

Powell is that guy, which is why trading away Myles Turner and Edmond Sumner for him, Aron Baynes, and a future first-round pick could make a ton of sense. Scoring definitely trumps shot-blocking in today’s NBA, especially when the Pacers have struggled offensively over the last several weeks. 

Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis have been fantastic this year and have carried the scoring load for the Pacers, but outside of them, they do not really have that third, reliable scoring option. Turner, McDermott, Holiday, and Jeremy Lamb are all double-digit scorers this year, but they are not consistently scoring in double-figures every game. 

Not having Warren and LeVert has really hurt this team’s chances for success during the first half of the season and as a result they currently find themselves 16-19 and outside of the playoffs looking in. 

Even at full strength, Powell would still have a huge impact on this Pacers team and could ultimately become a Sixth Man of the Year candidate in future years. At just 27 years old, Powell is in the midst of the best years of his career and could be the one trade target for the Pacers that could help lead them to a playoff run.

Powell is a very versatile player that plays his role perfectly to help his team win games, which is why the Pacers must target him if they want to contend for a title soon. He can aid them in more ways than Myles Turner can, which is why trading one of the best defensive big men in the league could make a lot of sense.