Making the Case: Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have had a couple of down years in a row now after being competitive in the Eastern Conference for close to a decade. After moving some big names, the rebuild is in full effect and could continue with a deal like this.
A trade of this nature for the Pacers would not be for basketball reasons. Instead, it would be an accounting move.
The Pacers have no business taking on Westbrook’s deal to have him play the 2022-23 season for his contract to run out. Instead, they’d surely be swift to attempt to reach a buyout agreement.
Westbrook has just one year left on his contract, where he is making just under $47.1 million. If he weren’t interested in a buyout agreement, he could receive the “John Wall treatment” by being sent home for the season.
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The front office in Indiana could be looking for a way to clear cap space to completely re-shaped the roster around Tyrese Haliburton and whoever is selected with their first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
