Why This Trade Would Benefit The Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers currently hold the ninth seed in the Eastern Conference standings. This is surprising to see given the current make up of teams. Victor Oladipo was the first piece to be moved but it might not be up for a team looking to make some big changes given how much the team has underachieved relative to their typical expectations.
The Pacers currently have some decent sized contracts on their team including Malcolm Brogdon, Caris LeVert, and Myles Turner. Domantas Sabonis is viewed as their franchise player but that also means he would warrant the biggest return. There are many directions that Indiana could go and whichever way they decide they will be sharing necessary room.
This is a Pacers team that sorely lacks an identity. They are a mediocre offensive squad with a true No. 1 option out on the perimeter. Domantas Sabonis is a talented player but in today’s NBA, an interior big man that isn’t dominant in the efficiency department cannot be the main point of attack.
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Based on the current landscape of the Pacers’ roster, their attacking defensive scheme is built on Myles Turner’s rim protection and general versatility. Domantas Sabonis is an outright liability in any role that he plays in this scheme. They need wings to be able to fly around within the half-court, not a slow-footed big man that gets caught in no man’s land.
Indiana has a team that has been run well over the years. The front office will certainly make the necessary moved in order to get back to competing in a conference that he is extremely top-heavy. There just isn’t a way to compete anymore without having a dynamic set of talents. No longer are the days of having an elite defense and one star like Paul George being enough to be a high-level team.
