3 Realistic And 3 Unrealistic Trade Targets For The Indiana Pacers

The Indiana Pacers had a surprising 2023-24 season, finishing with 47 wins and making it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. With Tyrese Haliburton emerging as an All-NBA talent and Pascal Siakam now locked in with a max deal, the Pacers are aiming to build on that momentum. While internal development will be key, there’s still room for trade opportunities to help take them to the next level. Let's dive into some realistic and far-fetched trade options heading into the 2024-25 season.

The Realistic Targets

The Pacers have specific needs, particularly on the defensive end, and should focus on acquiring players who can immediately improve their exterior defense and versatility. These potential targets aren't untouchable stars but rather key contributors that their teams might be willing to part with for the right deal. Each of these players would fill a hole in the Pacers' lineup, adding depth, defense, or shooting. While these moves are plausible, they still require the right trade package to convince their teams to let them go.

Jerami Grant

Potential Trade Offer To The Blazers: Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, Jarace Walker

Jerami Grant has been floating around in trade rumors, particularly surrounding the Blazers' uncertain future . The Trail Blazers signed Grant to a five-year, $160 million extension in 2023, which signaled their intention to keep him as a key piece. However, with the team entering a rebuild after moving Damian Lillard, Grant has become an intriguing trade option. Several reports have indicated that the Blazers might be willing to part ways with the veteran forward to gather more young assets and picks to accelerate their rebuild.

For the Pacers, acquiring Jerami Grant would be a big win. His 2023-24 season stats are strong, as he averaged 21.0 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists across 54 games. He shot a solid 45.1% from the field, including 40.2% from beyond the arc, making him a reliable scorer and floor spacer. But it's his defensive versatility the Pacers need the most. Grant is known for his ability to guard multiple positions—wings, power forwards, and even some centers—making him a valuable asset for a team looking to improve its perimeter defense.

Imagining a frontcourt lineup of Grant, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner would give the Pacers a lethal mix of size, defense, and scoring. Grant’s ability to stretch the floor would open up driving lanes for Tyrese Haliburton, while Siakam and Turner would dominate the paint. On defense, Grant's ability to switch onto smaller players and guard the perimeter would help Indiana shore up one of their weaker areas from last season.

Although it might be difficult to pry Grant away from the Trail Blazers, the Pacers offer some interesting assets in return. A package including Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Jarace Walker could appeal to the Blazers as they continue to build around their younger core. If the Pacers can pull off this trade, they would instantly bolster their roster for a deeper playoff run in 2025.

Herb Jones

Potential Trade Offer To The Pelicans: Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Jackson, 2025 Second-Round Pick (Hornets), 2025 Second-Round Pick (Heat)

Herb Jones is a defensive gem, but with the New Orleans Pelicans ' frontcourt stacked with big names like Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Trey Murphy III, he’s been pushed down the pecking order. While Jones remains a crucial defensive piece, the Pelicans might consider trading him to address other needs. In this case, getting a reliable shooter in Aaron Nesmith and a young, athletic big man like Isaiah Jackson could be appealing for a team like the Pelicans. Nesmith would provide spacing off the bench, something that could really help unlock Zion’s inside game, while Jackson gives them a potential starting center in the making. The Pelicans only have Daniel Theis to rely on in the paint, and Jackson would add depth and upside to their roster.

For the Pacers, Herb Jones would be an ideal addition. The Pacers need a wing who can lock down the opposition’s best perimeter players, and Jones is one of the most versatile defenders in the league. His ability to guard multiple positions makes him a perfect fit for a team looking to shore up their defense. With his defensive chops, Jones has already been in conversations as a potential Defensive Player of the Year candidate down the line. In the 2023-24 season, he averaged 1.4 steals and 0.8 blocks per game, showcasing just how disruptive he can be on the defensive end.

Offensively, Jones is still a work in progress, but his shooting is improving, as he hit 41.8% of his three-point attempts last season. He’s not someone who’s going to light up the scoreboard every night, but his ability to stretch the floor and make smart off-ball cuts fits perfectly with the Pacers' offensive system. Adding him to a lineup alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam would make the Pacers one of the most balanced teams on both ends of the floor, with the ability to switch defensively and space the floor offensively.

This trade would provide the Pacers with a defensive-minded wing who could help take their defense to the next level, while the Pelicans would receive young assets to continue building their future.

Marcus Smart

Potential Trade Offer To The Grizzlies: Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin, 2025 Second-Round Pick (Hornets), 2025 Second-Round Pick (Heat)

There’s been plenty of speculation about Marcus Smart's future with the Grizzlies after his first season didn’t go quite as expected. The Grizzlies might be open to moving Smart , and the Pacers should take advantage of this opportunity to add him to their backcourt. Smart's defensive skills and leadership would be a perfect fit alongside Tyrese Haliburton, giving the Pacers a defensive presence who could focus on guarding the best perimeter players while Haliburton directs the offense.

Smart had a solid 2023-24 season with the Grizzlies in his only 20 games, averaging 14.5 points, 4.3 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. His shooting was streaky, hitting 43% from the field and 31.3% from three-point range, but his impact on the defensive end cannot be overstated. Smart’s ability to defend either guard spot allows the Pacers to craft lineups that can handle different matchups, giving them a key defensive piece. Pairing Haliburton and Smart in the backcourt, along with Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner in the frontcourt, would give the Pacers one of the best defensive lineups in the East.

The potential trade would also allow the Grizzlies to retool by adding more depth with shooters like Aaron Nesmith and a versatile forward like Obi Toppin. While Smart’s leadership and playoff experience would be a big loss for the Grizzlies, the trade would give them younger assets to build around their core. For the Pacers, having a proven winner like Smart could be exactly what they need to take the next step in becoming a playoff contender.

Related: 2024-25 Indiana Pacers Projected Starting Lineup

The Unrealistic Targets

There are some players who would be dream fits for the Pacers but are highly unlikely to be moved due to their importance to their current teams. These players could elevate the Pacers' defense, scoring, or overall leadership, but the odds of pulling off these trades are slim to none. While it’s tempting to imagine the Pacers going after these stars, the reality is that these players are simply too crucial to their team’s success, making such deals nearly impossible to achieve.

Lu Dort

Potential Trade Offer to the Thunder: Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, 2028 First-Round Pick

After the Oklahoma City Thunder traded Josh Giddey for Alex Caruso, the backcourt dynamics have shifted, and Cason Wallace has been stepping up as a key 3-and-D player in the postseason. This move might reduce Lu Dort’s overall role for next year, but he’s still a vital part of the Thunder’s core, especially for their defense. Dort's ability to guard the league's top scorers remains crucial for a team looking to compete at the top of the Western Conference in 2024-25.

In the 2023-24 season, Dort averaged 10.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting an impressive 39.4% from three across 79 games. His two-way presence on the court, combining defensive toughness with improved three-point shooting, makes him an ideal candidate for the Pacers, who are searching for a defensive anchor in their backcourt. While Marcus Smart is another option for them, acquiring Dort would be even more difficult given his age and contract situation with the Thunder.

For the Thunder, a package involving Obi Toppin and Jarace Walker could provide them with more frontcourt depth and flexibility, giving them a mix of experience and youth. However, Dort is a key part of the Thunder’s future and their defensive schemes, making this trade highly unlikely. While the Pacers would love to add Dort’s skill set to their lineup alongside Tyrese Haliburton, pulling off this trade would be a long shot given his importance to Oklahoma City's long-term plans.

Brandon Ingram

Potential Trade Offer To The Pelicans: Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, 2028 First-Round Pick

The idea of the Pacers trading for Brandon Ingram is highly unrealistic due to his current contract situation and importance to the Pelicans. Ingram is entering the final year of his deal and is reportedly seeking a four-year, $200 million extension, which the Pelicans are hesitant to offer. His name has surfaced in trade rumors, but the team is likely to retain him unless a massive offer comes their way. Ingram’s friction with the front office stems from these contract negotiations, as the Pelicans weigh whether to extend him or explore potential trades before his free agency in 2025.

Ingram had a solid 2023-24 season, averaging 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.7 assists, proving himself as a well-rounded offensive weapon. Despite his ability to score and facilitate, the Pelicans don’t necessarily need more offensive firepower. They’ve already got Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, and now Dejounte Murray contributing to a high-scoring offense. What they need most is defensive upgrades, and that’s not something Ingram provides at an elite level.

Acquiring Ingram would be a huge gamble, especially considering his contract status. Trading away young talents like Mathurin and future assets for a player who could walk away after one season doesn’t make sense for a team looking to build a long-term contender. While Ingram’s offensive abilities would undoubtedly boost the Pacers, giving up that much for a player on an expiring contract is too risky without a guarantee he’ll sign an extension.

Ultimately, Ingram’s value as an expiring contract doesn’t justify the massive return that the Pelicans would likely demand. The Pacers might be better off targeting defensive upgrades or players with more contract stability, rather than making a play for a star who comes with so much uncertainty.

Jimmy Butler

Potential Trade Offer to the Heat: Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, 2028 First-Round Pick, 2025 Second-Round Pick (Hornets), 2025 Second-Round Pick (Heat)

Trading for Jimmy Butler would be a game-changer for the Pacers, instantly making them one of the top contenders in the Eastern Conference. Butler’s two-way ability is unmatched, as he excels on both ends of the floor. In the 2023-24 season, Butler averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 5.0 assists, along with 1.3 steals per game, while shooting nearly 50% from the field. He’s a proven winner who thrives in high-pressure situations, and his leadership would be invaluable to a young Pacers team aiming for a deep playoff run. Butler’s defense, playmaking, and clutch scoring would perfectly complement the likes of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.

However, there are several reasons why this trade is unlikely to happen. First, Butler is entering the final year of his contract with a player option for 2025-26, and there’s already talk that he might test free agency. This means even if the Pacers manage to pull off a trade, there’s no guarantee Butler would stick around beyond one season, making this a risky move for the Pacers.

Additionally, the Heat, even after not making any major moves this offseason, are unlikely to trade away their franchise star. Butler has been the driving force behind their success, leading them to two Finals appearances, and the Heat won’t part with him unless the return is truly extraordinary. Even with the assets the Pacers are offering, it’s hard to see the Heat letting Butler go unless they’re certain he won’t re-sign.

In conclusion, while Butler would be a dream addition to the Pacers, the uncertainties surrounding his future and the Heat’s unwillingness to part ways with their leader make this trade highly improbable.

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