Would this trade make sense for the Indiana Pacers?

When evaluating the return in this deal from the Indiana Pacers’ perspective, there’s a few elements to take into consideration. Any deal that involves a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft that isn’t highly lottery protected should grab their attention.

Turner is set to enter the final year of his current contract once the new league-year begins in the offseason. There is decreasing leverage the Pacers hold in trade talks from that point on. The main appeal for a suitor would have to do with what he can provide in a playoff push.

Given the foot injury is not serious, the Pacers could take their chances to get a deal done before the NBA trade deadline as they originally planned. Or, they could wait until the time of the 2022 NBA Draft and deal him away as an expiring contract.

It’s tough to truly pick apart much when it comes to proposed trades that involve Turner given the weakened landscape of potential suitors putting in offers after the foot injury.

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Clearing up cap space for the upcoming offseason would help the Pacers to pay T.J. Warren on his next deal if that’s what the team seeks to do. Regardless, more room to add talent around Domantas Sabonis wouldn’t hurt.