Small market teams often function differently in the NBA. In the cases that they do, it’s out of necessity.
Sometimes, it’s unfortunate. In a perfect world, all things would be equal outside of that which is in every front office’s control. In case you haven’t noticed, we don’t live in a perfect world.
The Utah Jazz and Indiana Pacers surely have noticed that. They represent two of the smallest markets in the league.
Each team has often opted against long-term rebuilds for that reason: unlike the Lakers or Knicks, they need to compete in order to keep their arenas filled.
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After all, tourists won’t be pouring in just to see an NBA game. Still, these teams can recognize when it’s time to retool. The Pacers did so last season by swapping Domantas Sabonis in exchange for the much-younger Tyrese Haliburton.
The Jazz may do the same this summer by trading Donovan Mitchell. Could the Pacers cut their retooling process short by being the team to acquire him?
