How This Deal Impacts Indiana Pacers
It was a bit surprising to see the Indiana Pacers in an article like this as they just started rebuilding. However, Herb Simon does not want this to be an extended rebuild, so a deal like this may not be as far-fetched as thought.
The Pacers are never going to be an attractive landing spot for free agents, so pursuing an upgrade via trade makes sense. There are risks to acquiring Donovan Mitchell, as a big market is reportedly what he would seek should he ask for a trade and Indiana is not that. But, we have seen teams come out of nowhere to make trades in the past and this would be the next one.
Mitchell would give Indiana a star to build the roster up around. He and Tyrese Haliburton can be the foundation in the backcourt for years to come as Mitchell will only be 26 when the season begins.
In addition to Mitchell, the Pacers are getting a versatile forward in Royce O’Neale. There would be an intriguing core being built in Indiana for Rick Carlisle to mold, as the Pacers would be back to competing for a playoff spot this upcoming season after this trade.
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The player package suggested here isn’t anything that Indiana should blink twice about either. Malcolm Brogdon is someone they are looking to move this offseason and Buddy Hield shouldn’t be a deal-breaker. Trading away two first-round picks, with a swap in between, could be tough for a smaller market team, but they can only hope to land a player as good as Mitchell with those selections.
