There were a ton of rumors surrounding the Indiana Pacers in recent months and they have made those rumors come to fruition. It was reported that the Pacers were open to a rebuild and that has proven true, as they have moved four veterans ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline.
The first trade that Indiana completed was with the Cleveland Cavaliers. They sent Caris LeVert to the Cavaliers in exchange for Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2022 and multiple future second-round picks.
That deal garnered some headlines, but the second one they completed sent shockwaves across the basketball world. The Pacers traded Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, Justin Holiday, and a 2027 second-round pick to the Sacramento Kings for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson.
The Indiana Pacers accomplished everything they set out to do ahead of the NBA trade deadline. They cleared salary cap space, added draft capital to put the team on a good path, and acquired some players that will help the team remain competitive for the duration of this season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Trade Grades: Reviewing Kings-Pacers Swap For Sabonis, Haliburton
Indiana very well could still have some moves up their sleeve. Rubio and Thompson are both on expiring deals and could be flipped to another team looking to move off a longer deal with some draft compensation attached. They also have Myles Turner still on the roster.
Turner is garnering a ton of attention ahead of the deadline with as many as six teams emerging as possible suitors. However, one of those teams was the Kings, who got their man in Sabonis and are probably out on the Turner sweepstakes.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Trade Grades: Reviewing Kings-Pacers Swap For Sabonis, Haliburton
However, it sounds as if Myles Turner could be staying pat. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Indiana has big plans for Turner now that they have moved on from Sabonis.
Tyrese Haliburton could be the long-term answer at point guard if the team still had reservations about Malcolm Brogdon even after signing him to an extension. Haliburton and Brogdon create an intriguing backcourt pairing as they are interchangeable at either point guard or shooting guard.
Combined with Chris Duarte on the wing and Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks from the 2021 NBA Draft, the Pacers have an intriguing core being built. Myles Turner could remain the anchor of the defense and very well could see his opportunities increase now that Sabonis is no longer in the lineup.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Trade Grades: Reviewing Kings-Pacers Swap For Sabonis, Haliburton
While things have been bleak this season for the Indiana Pacers and their fans, they have to be excited about the direction they are heading in. Indiana has multiple first-round picks in the 2022 NBA Draft and some exciting players to carry the team into the future with Tyrese Haliburton being the newest name.
