Every summer, there seems to be an NBA team that we underestimate. For one reason or another, we didn’t expect much from them. As the season progresses, we begin to see that they’re going to prove us wrong.
This year, the Indiana Pacers appear to be that team. So far, they’ve got one of the best offenses in the entire league. Is this really such a surprise?
The Pacers have one of the best point guards in the NBA in Tyrese Haliburton. They also have ample talent around them. The Pacers weren’t on everybody’s radar throughout the summer. Perhaps they should have been.
What should the Pacers do now? Well, they could let the season ride out. This team is reasonably young – they don’t have to rush into a win-now trade.
With that said, the Pacers could also justify making a major acquisition. Could that acquisition be DeMar DeRozan of the Chicago Bulls?
NBA Trade Proposal: Indiana Pacers Land Chicago Bulls’ DeMar DeRozan
Chicago Bulls Receive: G/F Buddy Hield, F/C Daniel Theis, 2026 First-Round Pick (Top 10 Protected – IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F DeMar DeRozan
On the other hand, other teams are estimated properly. We didn’t expect much from them, and they aren’t delivering much. At this point in the season, they look to be exactly what we expected them to be: mediocre.
That’s how the Bulls look so far. This team was underwhelming last year, and they’re underwhelming again. Perhaps that’s why they’re seen as one of the prime candidates to host a fire sale at this year’s deadline.
The Bulls have a veteran-heavy roster, and the results don’t justify their cap sheet. It’s time for Chicago to blow it up. This is a disappointing outcome for this team. The Bulls were designed to win.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers Updates
They acquired DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Nikola Vucevic in just a couple of short years. This team may have had high expectations, but by now, they need to accept that they aren’t going to live up to them.
Should they send DeRozan to the Pacers?
Why The Chicago Bulls Do The Deal
Even if the Bulls aren’t blowing up their roster, they may have some incentive to move on from DeRozan. He’s due for a contract extension this summer.
By all accounts, the two sides are far apart in negotiations. If DeRozan is going to be leaving the team in free agency next year anyway, they should trade him before they don’t get any value in return.
This is not a tremendous amount of value. We understand that. Unfortunately for Chicago, DeRozan’s trade value is waining. He’s aging, a poor defender, and a limited shooter – and that’s before considering that he’s a potential one-year rental.
So, the Bulls should be happy to land a lightly protected first for him. Otherwise, they’re only taking expiring money back as well.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers Updates
The Bulls can really trigger their rebuild by moving LaVine and Alex Caruso. Alternatively, they can retool around LaVine. Either way, DeRozan feels destined to leave.
Should the Pacers take him on?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Meanwhile, the Pacers have a similar dilemma with Hield. He’s due for an extension next summer, and rumors suggest that they’re not looking to give it to him.
With that said, they’re not exactly solving the problem here. The rebuilding Bulls could be happy to take an expiring contract back. Should the Pacers take on a flight risk like DeRozan?
It’s debatable. This would be a bold move for the Pacers. At the same time, DeRozan ought to make them a better team. He’ll be a strong secondary playmaker behind Tyrese Haliburton. Meanwhile, DeRozan’s poor shooting will matter less on one of the most well-spaced teams in the NBA.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers Updates
If it works? That’s fantastic. Yet, even if it doesn’t, the Pacers will be OK. This is a young team with ample potential. They can justify taking a risk to improve their short-term ceiling at this low cost. Just don’t run the risk of underestimating them if they acquire DeRozan.
