Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Gary Payton II, F Nassir Little, G Keon Johnson, 2024 First-Round Pick (POR) 

Portland Trail Blazers Receive: C Myles Turner 

Of course, the on-court product isn’t the only thing that’s changed about the NBA. Relations between players and teams have changed just as dramatically. 

There was a time when, if a team drafted you, there was a decent chance you’d spend your career with them. Yes, trades still happened, and free agents still left, but for a multitude of reasons, the bond between player and team seemed to be stronger. 

We don’t mean to romanticize. Player empowerment has been a huge part of that shift, and there’s a strong case to be made that that’s a good thing.

On the other hand, it doesn’t necessarily benefit role players like Gary Payton II. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Portland Trail Blazers & Indiana Pacers Updates

After all, it’s unlikely that he signed with the Blazers only to be dealt to a rebuilding team before even suiting up for them. On the other hand, if this deal was on the table, there’s a good chance the Blazers would take it. 

Should they?