The NBA trade deadline is here. Well, it might as well be. It’s deadline week around the league. With that said, it may not be as busy of a day as fans have grown accustomed to.
After all, many of the biggest deals have already been made. Look at the Indiana Pacers. They just acquired Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors. It’s possible that we won’t see any deal on Thursday as significant as this one.
On the other hand, the Pacers may not be done making moves. Having acquired Siakam, this team is clearly trying to contend. If that’s the goal, they should continue improving their defense. Could they acquire Matisse Thybulle of the Portland Trail Blazers?
NBA Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G T.J. McConnell, 2024 Second-Round Pick (MIL via IND), 2027 Second-Round Pick (UTA), 2028 Second-Round Pick (IND)
Indiana Pacers Receive: G/F Matisse Thybulle
With that said, deadline day has a way of surprising us. There’s a strong chance that a shocking move will break the internet. With that said, there’s also a chance that we’ll be surprised by the moves that don’t happen.
Look at the Blazers. We’ve been talking about Malcolm Brogdon deals all year. When the Blazers acquired Brogdon, it was widely assumed that they’d look to move him by the deadline.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Matisse Thybulle, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers Updates
Now, that’s less certain. Reports are suggesting that Brogdon wants to remain in Portland. It’s difficult to know exactly what the Blazers want to do at the deadline. Should they send Thybulle to the Pacers?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
Whether Brogdon wants to be moved or not, the Blazers should move him. They’re one of the worst teams in the NBA. The Blazers should be sellers. With that in mind, they should move Thybulle as well.
If they can get a first-round pick for him, they should. That might be optimistic. This is a buyer’s market, and while Thybulle’s shooting has improved, he remains inconsistent. A young player and a handful of second-round picks may be his market value.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Matisse Thybulle, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers Updates
If so, the Blazers should still take that deal. Sheppard is an intriguing young movement shooter with plus positional size. Meanwhile, second-round picks still hold value. Should the Pacers part with them?
Why The Indiana Pacers Do The Deal
All year, it’s been the same story with the Pacers. They’ve got the league’s best offense and the league’s worst defense. Surely, that’s a large part of why they were attracted to Siakam.
The work isn’t finished. Siakam is a strong defender, but he’s got a large offensive load for this team. He’s not a specialist. The Pacers could use an elite defender who’s able to focus on that end of the floor.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Matisse Thybulle, Portland Trail Blazers, Indiana Pacers Updates
Thybulle fits the bill. He can be a dominant defensive playmaker, and his shooting improvements may be legitimate. He’ll make the Pacers a better team – if they add him by the deadline, that is.
