Starting the 2021-22 NBA season 11-16, the Indiana Pacers continue to underachieve in a loaded Eastern Conference, which does not make their playoff chances look good. Between bad front-office decisions through the years and a roster that does not play well together, the Pacers are on the verge of collapse and it could come sooner than later.
On Tuesday, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Indiana Pacers are moving toward a rebuild and are going to be receptive to trade talks centered on Caris LeVert and either Domantas Sabonis or Myles Turner.
This really should not come as a surprise because, for years now, the Pacers have had a competitive-looking team, but have not gone anywhere as a franchise. They have made the playoffs five of the last six seasons, missing the playoffs last season, but they have not won a playoff series since 2014 and since 2016, they have won just six total first-round playoff games.
Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert, T.J. Warren, and Myles Turner make up a strong-looking core group in Indiana, but the problem is that all of these guys have not played together because of injuries!
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pacers Looking To Rebuild — Talk Trades For Sabonis, Turner, LeVert
Brogdon dealt with some on-and-off injuries last season, LeVert only played in 35 games and Warren only played in four games before going down with a season-ending foot injury that required surgery.
Now, with injuries continuing to play a role in the demise of this franchise, it seems like they are going to be “open for sale” ahead of the trade deadline, leading to Myles Turner being on several teams’ radars. Turner has turned himself into one of the best shot-blocking big men in the entire NBA and as a result, a team like the Charlotte Hornets are expected to show a significant amount of interest.
In fact, sources have told NBA Analysis Network that the Hornets do appear to be interested in Myles Turner, but that the Hornets are unsure about giving up young forward P.J. Washington, who the Pacers view highly of.
Charlotte made a move to acquire Mason Plumlee in the offseason, but he has not really been a spark for them in the frontcourt this season. In 20 games, Plumlee is only averaging 6.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and is shooting 59.6% from the floor.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Pacers Looking To Rebuild — Talk Trades For Sabonis, Turner, LeVert
While he has helped them in terms of rebounding, Mason Plumlee is not a shot-blocker and has not really helped the Hornets defensively, as the team ranks 30th in the league in Defensive Rating. Adding a key shot-blocker could help elevate Charlotte back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016, hence their rumored interest in Myles Turner.
