The Indiana Pacers got off to a busy start to NBA trade deadline week on Sunday, sending wing Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers for three draft picks. Said compensation included a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2022, which will likely convey.
For a Pacers squad that sits at 19-35 and boasts the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference, this is just the initial stages of a roster reconstruction.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Indiana is still listening to offers for Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. In the NBA insider’s own words, “this is likely the start of a dramatic trade deadline makeover for the Indiana roster.”
If so, we look at three more trade scenarios for front office head Kevin Pritchard and Co.
Relateed: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA trade rumors leading up to Feb. 10 deadline
Indiana Pacers deal Myles Turner to the Minnesota Timberwolves
- Pacers get: Taurean Prince, Naz Reid, 2023 first-round pick
- Timberwolves get: Myles Turner
Minnesota has had interest in Turner for some time now. The idea would be for this young team to find a defensive-minded big to go with All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns. Teaming Turner and Towns up with one another would be absolutely huge for this squad.
- Myles Turner stats (2021-22): 12.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, 2.8 BPG, 51% shooting, 33% three-point
In return, Indiana nabs a valuable unprotected first-round pick in the 2023 NBA Draft as well as a high-upside youngster to replace Turner in the frontcourt. Reid, 22, is averaging 8.3 points and 3.9 rebounds on 46% shooting on the season.
Related: Sportsnaut’s updated NBA power rankings
Indiana Pacers trade Jeremy Lamb to the Los Angeles Lakers
- Pacers get: Talen Horton-Tucker, second-round pick
- Lakers get: Jeremy Lamb
Los Angeles is going to have to make a move ahead of the deadline later this week. At issue here is a lack of concrete assets when it comes to both young players and draft picks. In fact, Horton-Tucker’s value has taken a hit since he signed an extension this past summer. What we do know is that the Lakers have been interested in Lamb for some time now. He’s averaging 7.1 points and 2.4 rebounds while providing solid defense on the season.
Indiana turns a veteran with no future within the organization into a young guard who could use a change of scenery. Horton-Tucker, 21, is averaging 9.2 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists on 44% shooting since the start of last season. He could be a nice rotational piece moving forward.
Related: Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors
Indiana Pacers trade Domantas Sabonis to the Washington Wizards
- Pacers get: Rui Hachimura, Deni Avdija, Davis Bertans, 2024 first-round pick
- Wizards get: Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday
This package enables Indiana to retool on the fly with two young frontcourt players. Hachimura, 23, has shown great two-way ability since Washington made him a top-10 pick back in 2019. As for Avdija, the Israeli was picked ninth overall in 2020 and has yet to fully break out since joining the Wizards. Some compared him to Luka Doncic heading into the draft. He’s just 21. Add in a first-round pick a couple years down the road, and this is a solid package for the Pacers.
Instead of exhausting multiple draft picks, Washington goes with the smarter move. It will want those selections just in case Beal does decide to leave D.C. Giving up two players who have been mid-tier rotation options this season wouldn’t be too much of a loss short-term. In the process, Washington builds a darn talented starting five of Spencer Dinwiddie, Beal, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Kyle Kuzma and Sabonis. Rumors have also linked the team to Sabonis in a big way.