The best teams in the NBA are elite on the offensive end and the defensive end. If you’re a top-10 team on both ends and a top-5 team on one or the other, congratulations: you’ve got a chance to win the NBA championship.
The Indiana Pacers don’t fit the bill. This is the best offensive team in the NBA. Unfortunately, the Pacers struggle on defense. If they’re going to compete for the NBA title, they’re going to need to shore up their stopping powers.
By contrast, the Houston Rockets have been one of the best defensive teams in the NBA this year. They’ve struggled to score at times, but after years at the bottom of the standings, this organization is happy to be competing. With that said, the Rockets could use a backup big man.
Could they acquire one by sending Jae’Sean Tate to the Pacers?
NBA Trade Proposal: Indiana Pacers Land Houston Rockets’ Jae’Sean Tate
Houston Rockets Receive: F/C Isaiah Jackson, 2025 Second-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: F Jae’Sean Tate
Traditionalists will tell you that defense wins championships. They’ll have a point. Defense travels. Offense is harder to control: good shots will sometimes miss. On the other hand, you can control how much effort you put into defense on a nightly basis.
With that said, offense wins championships as well. Arguably, it’s more important than ever. In today’s league, there are a lot of teams that can put up points in a hurry. Rule changes have favored offense. If you can’t get buckets, you’re not going to win the ultimate prize.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers Updates
In the end, we’ll close by return – two-way teams win championships. You need to be able to get points and stop opponents from doing the same.
Would acquiring Tate make the Pacers a more balanced team?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
Sure. Tate is a multi-positional defender. He’s only 6’4, but his low center of gravity gives him the strength to guard taller players. He’d be a sensible addition to this team’s roster.
Moreover, the Pacers can spare Jackson. Myles Turner is the only distinct defensive positive in this team’s rotation. Jalen Smith has emerged as a better option than Jackson. There isn’t much room in this team’s rotation for Jackson in the first place.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers Updates
Why not move him? Tate isn’t a world-beater, but he’s solid and reliable. The Pacers have been linked to bigger names, but they’ll be costly. It may be wiser to acquire a smaller name like Tate at a lower price.
Should the Rockets part with their defensive wing?
Why The Houston Rockets Do The Deal
The Pacers may not have room for Jackson in their rotation. Similarly, the Rockets may be running out of room for Tate. Cam Whitmore is putting up an absurd number of points per possession. If he continues his run, he could usurp the veteran in the Rockets’ rotation.
On the other hand, Jock Landale has been a disappointment. The Rockets need a more reliable option behind Alperen Sengun. Jackson would qualify. If nothing else, he should offer better rim protection than Landale.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Jae’Sean Tate, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers Updates
Jackson could even play alongside Sengun for stretches. The Rockets’ floor spacing would suffer during those minutes, but Jackson is a capable cutter who Sengun could find in big-to-big actions. Jackson can also help Sengun defensively as a weak side rim protector – even if the offense suffers for those stretches,
