At this point in the NBA season, teams shouldn’t be getting ahead of themselves. We’re at the very beginning of a marathon. A team can get off to a hot start – but that doesn’t mean they’ll stay hot.
With that said, we can get ahead of ourselves. We’re not making decisions for NBA teams on this website. All we can do is speculate. Considering that, we speculate that the Indiana Pacers will likely be a competitive team this season.
If they wanted to, they could probably make a major win-now trade as the year progresses. Who should they target? Well, the Pacers already have a lead playmaker in Tyrese Haliburton.
They’ve got a uniquely talented 3-and-D big man in Myles Turner. The Pacers could use an alpha scorer. That player should probably be a wing.
How about Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans?
NBA Trade Proposal — Indiana Pacers Land Brandon Ingram
New Orleans Pelicans Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F/C Daniel Theis, G/F Benedict Mathurin, 2026 First-Round Pick (IND), 2028 First-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Brandon Ingram
The Pacers aren’t the only team undefeated around the NBA so far. At this point in the season, it would be a shock if they were.
New Orleans has some concerns that transcend their current record. This team needs to be worried about their durability. Zion Williamson is perhaps the most injury-prone star in the NBA.
Ingram, while not nearly as large of a concern, deals with some health issues in his own right. Do the Pelicans have to trade, either?
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers Updates
Not at all. They could once again gamble on their star duo holding up for a season. That said, they could also get ahead of the problem by moving one or the other. Is this enough for Ingram?
Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do The Deal
The answer will likely depend on how the Pelicans see Mathurin. So far, the Pacers have reduced his minutes between his rookie year and sophomore effort. To be sure, Mathurin is a volume-scoring guard who’s prone to inefficiency and doesn’t necessarily contribute much outside of points.
On the other hand, he’s a young player with real star potential. If the Pelicans see that bigger picture with Mathurin, they may like this deal. After all, it’s not a straight swap. The Pelicans are also netting a pair of unprotected first-rounders from Indiana here.
Those are solid assets for them to move forward with. Moreover, they’re also getting one of the best shooters in the NBA in Hield. They could be attracted to him – or they could be attracted to his expiring contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers Updates
It’s also worth noting the inclusion of Theis here as well. Sure, he’s not a big name, but the Pelicans allegedly want a defensive big.
Theis has some value on that end of the floor. They may see him as a meaningful addition to their rotation. Still, the critical aspects of this deal for the Pelicans are Mathurin and the draft capital.
Should the Pacers give all of that up for Ingram?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Generally speaking, the Pacers don’t like to rebuild. This is a small market team that can’t afford years of irrelevance. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this front office felt ready to make a leap in the standings.
Adding Ingram ought to help. He’s a dynamic scoring wing who can create his own looks against even elite defenders. Some have complained about his tendencies to operate in the midrange.
For the well-spaced Pacers, that won’t be an issue. Haliburton is one of the best shooting primary playmakers in the NBA, and Turner gives Indiana plenty of space at the 5.
So, Ingram should be a perfect fit. Moreover, the Pacers don’t seem enthralled with Mathurin after slashing his minutes. They’re known to be considering moving Hield anyway.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram, New Orleans Pelicans, Indiana Pacers Updates
With that in mind, a pair of firsts and Theis is a small price to pay for a player like Brandon Ingram. The Pacers should be interested in him – if they maintain this pace, that is.
