While they have not been to the NBA Finals since 2000, the Indiana Pacers always seem to find their way into the playoff conversation in the Eastern Conference and they have been a competitive team in the league for the last decade or so.
However, since the team moved on from Paul George following the 2016-17 season, they have won just three playoff games, zero playoff series and are now on the verge of complete collapse.
Last season was a mess, as the Pacers finished 34-38 and while they brought in Rick Carlisle to be their new head coach, this has not seemed to solve the problem. Indiana has a major roster problem right now not only because the players they have do not fit in with one another, but because management has not made the right moves over the years in free agency and trade talks.
Myles Turner has been on the trade block for what seems like eons now and with other players constantly being rumored to be traded in the near future, this just creates a toxic environment in the locker room. The willingness to play and win games just is not there for this team and this is directly because of management creating these narratives that anybody could be traded on any given night.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Pacers-Warriors Trade Lands Domantas Sabonis In San Francisco
There is no “team-first” atmosphere within the Pacers organization right now and on Tuesday, Shams Charania of The Athletic reported that the Indiana Pacers are moving toward a rebuild and are receptive to trade talks centered on Caris LeVert and either Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner.
Currently 10-16, it is not surprising to see the Pacers engaging in trade talks with other teams around the league and this rebuilding process has seemed to be in the works for years now because of this organization’s lack of internal success.
Malcolm Brogdon recently signed an extension to remain in Indiana through the 2024-25 season, so he is not going anywhere, but Myles Turner, Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis are all candidates to be on the move before the February 10 trade deadline this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: This Pacers-Warriors Trade Lands Domantas Sabonis In San Francisco
Sabonis was drafted by the Pacers in 2016 and has turned himself into one of the best all-around frontcourt players in the league, which makes his trade interest very high amongst other teams across the NBA. Making back-to-back All-Star appearances and having a pretty favorable contract of $56.4M through 2023, several teams around the league are going to show interest in the Pacers’ big man.
So what teams will look to target the 25-year-old power-forward? Here are three teams to watch in trade talks with the Pacers surrounding Domantas Sabonis.
