Indiana Pacers Receive: F Talen Horton-Tucker, G Kendrick Nunn, F Stanley Johnson
Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G Buddy Hield
For the Indiana Pacers to agree to this deal, they’ll have to be committed to a rebuild. The spacing they’ll lose in swapping Hield for the younger Talen Horton-Tucker will not likely result in an increased win total.
Such a course of action would be unlike the Pacers. They’ve generally opted to rebuild on the fly as a small-market club. It generally keeps them out of the contender’s circle but in the playoffs. Arguably, a more comprehensive rebuild could eventually raise the team’s ceiling.
Horton-Tucker’s struggles this season were well documented, but he’s still got potential. He was blessed with a remarkable wingspan, one of the most valuable physical traits in basketball. He needs to develop a bankable skill or two, and he could be an impactful player in this league. If their front office feels the same, this could be their deal.
The Pacers probably aren’t interested in either Nunn or Johnson, although they are only 26 and 25. If they survive the rebuild, it’s a bonus, but they’re salary fodder at this point.
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If the Pacers refuse to go off-brand and insist on staying competitive, these two clubs may have to bring a third team to bring this deal to fruition.
