Does this trade make sense for the Indiana Pacers?
Trading TJ Warren does not appear to be something that the Indiana Pacers are looking to do at this time, but they should definitely consider doing so since he is in the final year of his contract and coming off a pretty major foot injury.
When Warren returns, he is not going to be the guy to fix all of this team’s problems, as they still have a lot of holes to fill on their roster. Other than Chris Duarte and Domantas Sabonis, they really have no young talents to build with moving forward, hence why this trade could ultimately make some sense.
Talen Horton-Tucker is only 21-years-old and under contract through the 2023-24 season, he is a high-level, young talent that Indiana could put into their starting rotation right away. The Los Angeles Lakers’ guard impressed many in the preseason and he has continued to play really well next to Los Angeles’ stars this season.
In 11 games, Horton-Tucker has averaged 10.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and has shot 38.0% from the floor. While he is not much of a perimeter shooting threat, the 6’4” shooting guard is an above-average rebounder for his stature and is just an overall smart player on or off-the-ball on either end of the floor.
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Malik Monk gives the Pacers a boost on the perimeter, as they only rank 24th in the league in three-point shooting percentage this season, and Kendrick Nunn gives them more backcourt depth, which they need with T.J. McConnell out indefinitely due to a wrist injury.
This trade is not terrible for the Indiana Pacers, but at the same time, giving up Warren and Holiday could be too much to ask for. The Pacers really do like the production both players give them when on the court and helping the Lakers may not be something Indiana would be fond of.
