Worst Trade Destination No. 2: Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers were the first team to reportedly send a trade offer over to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons. They offered Malcolm Brogdon and the No. 13 overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, but it was declined.
Most recently, it sounded as if they were back in the hunt once again. Rumors were swirling that the Pacers had trade talks with the 76ers centered around Caris LeVert. Reports also surfaced that Philadelphia were interested in acquiring Brogdon in a Simmons trade.
While the Pacers are craving a star, this wouldn’t be an ideal landing spot for Simmons. The Pacers don’t have the 3-point shooting that would be necessary for the offense to take off. The roster balance would also be off.
Rick Carlisle would have to figure out how to use two players in Simmons and Domantas Sabonis that are non-shooters. He already has his hands full trying to figure out how to deploy a jumbo frontcourt with Sabonis and Myles Turner. Figuring out a way to fit Simmons into that mix would be difficult.
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If the Pacers parted ways with LeVert and Brogdon, their lineup would be weakened to the point that they would struggle to make the postseason with Simmons on board. Indiana would have two elite defenders in Simmons and Turner, but scoring points would be a struggle.
