It has been a truly disappointing season for the Indiana Pacers so far. There has been conflicting information about the team’s intentions when it comes of taking steps toward a rebuild or re-tooling using the NBA trade deadline. The team’s owner dispelled those notions. Could a Ben Simmons trade still be an option?
It’s clear the Pacers will remain intent on trying to win as many regular season games as possible for as long as Herb Simons remains the owner. It will take a big move for the team to move up much in the standings.
A recent report from The Athletic’s Shams Charania highlighting teams are still interested in making a trade for Ben Simmons included the Indiana Pacers among seven teams.
The New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers are among the teams interested in Simmons, sources said, although it’s unclear how much traction Philadelphia truly has on any move.
One of the main roadblocks for not only the Pacers but for most teams in the NBA is that Sixers GM Daryl Morey is seeking an All-Star talent in any deal involving Simmons. Indiana clearly lacks such a talent.
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To add further complication to the Pacers’ outlook for a Simmons trade, the two-year, $45 million contract extension that Malcolm Brogdon signed earlier this year made him trade ineligible during the 2021-22 campaign.
The Pacers have two centers — Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner — as some of their top players to include in a potential trade for a star talent like Simmons. The clear disadvantage to that is the overlap Philadelphia has with Joel Embiid being the franchise-cornerstone.
TJ Warren remains sidelined due to stress fractures in his foot and there is no clear timetable for his return. He would have been the most intriguing skill-set for the Philadelphia 76ers to directly acquire in any potential trade for Ben Simmons.
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Could the Pacers send either Sabonis or Turner to a third-team and re-route whatever they get in return to the 76ers? It’s easier said than done given it would require Indiana to find a highly interested suitor willing to pay a premium in trade compensation for a center — a position not many teams necessarily need.
Caris LeVert has improved his play as of late but has a troubling injury history and has been plagued with inconsistency throughout his NBA career. He doesn’t appear to be the most appealing of options for the 76ers to look to acquire.
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The situation could change perhaps if the Philadelphia 76ers were willing to accept a trade package that has a lot of future first-round picks involved. The Indiana Pacers have been hesitant to take big swings, but attempting to tread water in a much improved Eastern Conference will require risks.
