How This Trade Impacts Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers do not want to go into a full teardown rebuild. They want to remain as competitive as possible while improving their future outlook. Both deals that they made thus far ahead of the deadline including Caris LeVert and Domantas Sabonis achieved that.
LeVert landed them great draft capital and will help clear future salary. Sabonis brought back players that will help them remain competitive now and a long-term building block in the backcourt in Tyrese Haliburton.
This hypothetical deal involving the Brooklyn Nets would do more of the same. Joe Harris is an elite 3-point shooter. Pairing him with Buddy Hield turns Indiana into one of the most dangerous shooting teams after being a middling one all season. Even if Harris has to be shut down this season it isn’t the worst thing as it improves the likelihood of landing a higher pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Nic Claxton has shown flashes with the Nets and could really flourish with an expanded role in Indiana. He would have to fight off Isaiah Jackson and Goga Bitadze for minutes at the center spot but is a worthwhile flier for Indiana.
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However, it has been rumored that the Pacers are looking for multiple first-round picks in exchange for Turner. This deal falls well short of that asking price, and there are likely teams that can beat a package of an injured Harris, Claxton, and a future second-round pick.
Even one young player and a first-round pick would likely be more enticing for a Pacers team who has rebuilt the roster on the fly in the last few days.
