Does this trade make sense for the Indiana Pacers?

The Indiana Pacers really need to add more talent to their second-unit and there is no better type of player for them to add than an experienced guy with playoff success like Eric Gordon. While he has never reached the NBA Finals, he was a part of numerous Rockets teams that made it to the Conference Semifinals and Conference Finals in the Western Conference. 

This experience he would bring to the Pacers would definitely be valuable because while they are a team that missed the playoffs this past season, Indiana is an organization that is on the cusp of being something special. As crazy as it may sound, the Pacers truly do have one of the more talented rosters in the league, they just need to remain healthy and have more reliable contributors on their bench. 

“Reliable contributor” is exactly what Eric Gordon is and while his contract is not favorable, the Pacers can afford to bring him in. Trading for Gordon could mean that Indiana would have to part ways with Doug McDermott or T.J. McConnell for cap reasons, but the veteran shooting guard would definitely fit in better on both ends of the court than both of these guys. 

At the cost of the 2022 first-round pick, the Pacers would be getting a veteran guy that they can depend on for production either in or out of the starting lineup. Indiana would be protected with this first-round pick as well, as if they missed the playoffs, they would retain the pick and if they did make the playoffs, the pick would be at the end of the first-round anyways and of no use to the Pacers. 

READ MORE: Predictions for Latest NBA Trade Rumors: Lillard, LaVine, Simmons, Sexton

This is a team that is built to win games now and draft picks do not really do anything to help the Pacers contend in the Eastern Conference at this moment, which is why they need to go “all-in” and go after a guy like Eric Gordon.