Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal 

Inevitably, some Pacers fans will balk at this suggestion. If they’re rebuilding, why would they ship out one of their best young players? 

Well, here’s the uncomfortable truth: Duarte isn’t actually that young. He may have been a rookie in 2021-22, but he was an older one. He’s 25. Moreover, he may be a finished product. 

Duarte generated a lot of buzz by outperforming expectations in his rookie campaign. To be sure, he’s a fantastic shooter. On the other hand, he didn’t flash a great deal of self-creation or playmaking. In all reality, Duarte may be the type of role player the Pacers likely won’t need for another few years. 

That’s why they’d have to entertain this deal. Granted, they’re only receiving a protected first-rounder here – Duarte isn’t likely to command anymore.

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

It’s still an asset, and moreover, it may help the team bottom out and maximize their lottery odds to shed a solid floor spacer like Duarte. 

Does landing him do enough for the Lakers?