Indiana Pacers Receive: C Damian Jones, G/F Max Christie, 2027 First-Round Pick (Lottery Protected – LAL) 

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: G/F Chris Duarte 

It’s funny how expectations dictate perception. 

The Indiana Pacers won 25 games in 2021-22. That’s 9 fewer than the 34-win Lakers. Yet, somehow, we’d call their season an utter success. 

Most significantly, this team finally cut bait with the Myles Turner / Domantas Sabonis twin towers experiment. Specifically, they sent Sabonis packing to the Sacramento Kings, receiving Tyrese Haliburton.

During the second half of the season, Halliburton looked like a star in the making for the Pacers. Realistically, that was the most they could have asked for from the season. 

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers & Los Angeles Lakers Updates

After all, we didn’t expect much from them in the first place. Entering the year, the Pacers were regarded as a low-level playoff team. When they saw they were falling short of that goal, they made a smart decision and triggered a rebuild.

Does this deal align with the organization’s new goals?