Pacers Land Future All-Star in Blockbuster Trade Proposal

Matt Levine | 3 Hours Ago

Rob Gray-Imagn Images

The Indiana Pacers have started the new NBA season off in a very strange way. The team hasn't been able to field any consistency from game to game and it's hurt them in the standings.

Indiana currently holds a record of 9-10 on the year but they've had some frustrating losses. After reaching the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, the Pacers were expected to take that next step forward this year.

So far they haven't done so and it's caused some issues in the locker room. For Indiana to become more of a formidable team in the Eastern Conference, they may need to make some trades.

The Pacers will need to figure out if they want to go all-in on contending or set themselves up better for the future. In a new trade proposal, Indiana does a little bit of both while losing a longtime fan-favorite.

In the deal by Eddie Bitar of Fadeaway World, Indiana would trade veteran center Myles Turner to the Golden State Warriors. In return, the Pacers would receive forward Jonathan Kuminga, forward Trayce Jackson-Davis, and a 2027 first-round draft pick.

"The Pacers could be intrigued by this deal because it offers them a chance to pivot toward a younger, more versatile core. Jonathan Kuminga, a former lottery pick, has shown flashes of star potential with his athleticism and defensive upside, while Trayce Jackson-Davis brings additional frontcourt depth and promise. Adding a 2027 first-round pick gives Indiana a valuable future asset, making this trade attractive as they continue to build around Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam."

Moving Turner would certainly hurt the Pacers' frontcourt depth but they would also receiving more wing depth. The team would also land a future first-round draft pick that could be very valuable if the Warriors were to fall off over the next couple of seasons.

This move would be about both the now and the future. Kuminga could give them a future All-Star-level talent to work with, pairing him with Siakam on the wing.

Kuminga has averaged 13.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.1 steals per game. He is only 22 years old still so there is plenty of time for him to continue growing his game.

Moving forward with a trio of Tyrese Haliburton, Siakiam and Kuminga could give Indiana a strong chance to contend. They would need to shore up the frontcourt with Turner gone but this is an interesting deal that Indiana would need to consider if on the table.

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