The Indiana Pacers have the best offense in the NBA. They’re on pace to have the best Offensive Rating in NBA history. That’s not a typo.
Nobody expected this. It’s not showing that Indiana is competitive. Tyrese Haliburton is an emerging star. Myles Turner is an extremely useful player, and Buddy Hield is one of the best shooters in the NBA.
Still: the best offense in NBA history? That’s a mark that nobody saw the Pacers hitting. Are they title contenders? We’re not sure.
For as potent as the Pacers’ offense has been, their defense has been almost equally porous. Perhaps that’s why the Pacers are interested in landing an elite defensive wing.
How about Mikal Bridges of the Brooklyn Nets?
The Trade Proposal: Indiana Pacers Land Brooklyn Nets’ Mikal Bridges
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G TJ McConnell, G/F Bennedict Mathurin, F Jarace Walker, 2025 First-Round Pick (IND), 2027 First-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Mikal Bridges
With that said, making predictions about NBA teams can be a fool’s errand. As the season gets underway, we’ve got an idea of what every team looks like on paper.
In practice, they can subvert expectations – in either direction. Look at the Nets. Heading into the season, this team was supposed to have a stout defense.
On the other hand, there were plenty of questions about what the Nets would do on offense. So far, they’ve had no trouble scoring – but the Nets are struggling to defend.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers Updates
In the end, it has resulted in a mediocre season. The Nets should be more concerned with the results than the process. This team doesn’t look like they’ll be in the running for an NBA title any time soon.
Is it time for them to trade Bridges?
Why The Brooklyn Nets Do The Deal
A lot of Nets fans won’t like this suggestion. That’s understandable. The Nets owe their first-round picks, whether outright or via swap, to the Houston Rockets through to 2027.
So, trading their best player won’t be a decision that they take lightly. Sure. At the same time, committing to mediocrity to avoid helping the Rockets would be yielding to a sunk-cost fallacy.
Besides, the Nets owe the Rockets swap rights in 2025 and 2027. They can still inject their roster with young talent. Alternatively, they could use their assets to make a major trade. This deal arms them with more assets – and more young players.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers Updates
With Mathurin, Walker, Cam Thomas, Nicolas Claxton, and a boatload of draft capital, the Nets could have an optimistic outlook even without control of their draft.
Should the Pacers go all-in on the present?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
The Pacers don’t strictly need to improve their defense. They could also use a better second option behind Haliburton. Sure, their offense is currently elite, but it risks falling apart in the playoffs without some more offensive depth.
Here, they’re killing two birds with one stone. Bridges is a perfect second option behind Haliburton. He’s also one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.
He’s a perfect fit for this roster, and the Pacers should spare no expense to land him. Sure, they’re shortchanging their future. Parting with Mathurin and Walker already will sting.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Mikal Bridges, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers Updates
It’s worth the cost to add a player like Bridges. The Pacers already have the best offense in the league – this deal could make them true title contenders.
