Tanking is not in the blood of the Indiana Pacers franchise, but they are on the verge of complete collapse this NBA season. Talents like Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert and Myles Turner highlight the Pacers’ roster, but the problem over the last few seasons is that this team just simply cannot stay healthy.
They missed the postseason for the first-time since 2015 last season and now just 17-32 this season, 6.5 games back from the 10-seeded Washington Wizards, Indiana’s chances of making the playoffs are looking very slim.
Not only have Brogdon and Sabonis been dealing with an Achilles and ankle injuries, respectively, but Myles Turner is out with no timeframe laid out for his return due to a “stress reaction” in his left foot, and T.J. Warren has not played since December 2020.
Along with T.J. McConnell being out indefinitely right now, the Pacers just simply do not have the firepower that other teams have in the Eastern Conference right now, which is why they are on the verge of a rebuild.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Latest NBA Trade Rumors Surrounding Pacers; LeVert, Turner
In December, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the Indiana Pacers were heading towards a rebuild and would be receptive to trade offers for Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner and Caris LeVert, but ownership later refuted these claims of a “rebuild”, stating that the organization would like to simply add talent in-place of the players they currently have.
While they could get a grand return for Sabonis, it does not appear as if the Pacers are going to be interested in moving the All-Star big man at this time. However, it is still a strong possibility that the team could leverage Caris LeVert and Myles Turner for more assets.
Turner’s injury definitely lessens his trade value, making Caris LeVert the best trade option for the Pacers right now should they look to add value ahead of the trade deadline on February 10.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Latest NBA Trade Rumors Surrounding Pacers; LeVert, Turner
LeVert has not drawn the most interest on the trade block, but he is a steady scoring option on the wing that could definitely help some playoff hopeful teams during the second-half of the season.
Having just one more year left on his contract after this season and being owed $36.2M through next season, the PIndiana acers could look to move Caris LeVert for one of these three trade targets.
