Would this trade make sense for the Indiana Pacers?
For the Indiana Pacers, this trade would be a solid return for Myles Turner. They’d get two quality young pieces and two unprotected first-round picks. If they want to rebuild, which they should with the way this season is going, this trade helps them do that.
Talen Horton-Tucker hasn’t shot the ball well in Los Angeles, but he’s also been asked to play a very specific role. With LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, and Anthony Davis around him, his room for growth was always going to be limited. Horton-Tucker would have a lot more room to grow with the Pacers
Austin Reaves has shown a lot of potential in his rookie season with the Lakers. He’s an efficient shooter, an underrated playmaker, and has all the makings of a great combo guard. He can thrive in an off-ball role, but who knows how much potential he could have if given more responsibilities.
As for Kent Bazemore, the Pacers could simply buy him out or waive him. He’s in this deal simply for salary-matching purposes. The two unprotected firsts are huge, too, because who knows how good the Lakers are going to be a few years down the road. Maybe James will have retired at that point.
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Indiana’s current roster isn’t working, and this trade would help them get younger and prepare for the future. Turner is great, so it stinks to get rid of him, but it’s clear that change is needed. Young pieces and picks is exactly what they should ask for in any trade, and this gets them that.
