Indiana Pacers Ready To Rebuild?
Between losing games and not having their full lineup this season, the Pacers are on the verge of complete collapse ahead of the trade deadline. They have not looked like a playoff team this season and as a result, they are expected to entertain all offers coming their way over the next couple of weeks.
Shams Charania reported back in December that the Pacers were heading towards a rebuild and they were going to be receptive to trade calls for All-Star Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert and Myles Turner.
Now, it does not seem like Sabonis is going to be on the move unless the Pacers receive an offer they cannot turn down. According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the Pacers are not interested in trading Domantas Sabonis unless they receive a “Nikola Vucevic type” trade package in return.
Last season, the Orlando Magic traded All-Star center Nikola Vucevic to the Chicago Bulls for Wendell Carter Jr., Otto Porter Jr. and two first-round picks.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Players Most Likely To Be Moved At NBA Trade Deadline
Myles Turner has drawn a lot of interest because of his shot-blocking abilities on the defensive-end of the floor, but he suffered a “stress reaction” in his left foot recently and ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Turner is expected to be out past the Feb. 10 trade deadline.
Many teams have already backed away from pursuing Turner as a result of this injury, leaving Caris LeVert as one of the lone realistic trade targets on the Pacers’ roster this season. According to Scotto, the Pacers are looking for a first-round pick and a young talent in return for LeVert.
Sources have told NBA Analysis Network that both the Knicks and Cavaliers have been in contact with the Pacers recently in regards to a potential LeVert trade. The Atlanta Hawks are another team to watch in regards to Caris LeVert given their need for scoring next to Trae Young.
It is very possible that the Pacers could wind up holding onto Sabonis, LeVert and Turner past the trade deadline, but many league executives are expecting Indiana to make some kind of a move.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Players Most Likely To Be Moved At NBA Trade Deadline
Veteran wing Justin Holiday also remains a trade target around the league given his three-point shooting abilities. Holiday is shooting 37.2% from three-point range this season and being owed just $6M this season, sources have told NBA Analysis Network that a couple of teams with trade exceptions exceeding $6M have expressed interest in trading for Justin Holiday.
The Indiana Pacers are not going to tear everything down and start from scratch like the Magic did last season trading away Vucevic, Gordon and Fournier, but they do realize they need to make some changes ahead of the trade deadline, which could lead to some very intriguing deals.
