While it’s not out of the question that the Pacers will make a major trade this offseason, the team isn’t any rush to move Myles Turner or Malcolm Brogdon, the two names that pop up most frequently in Pacers-related trade rumors, writes J. Michael of The Indianapolis Star.
Of those two players, Turner is less likely to be dealt, according to Michael, who suggests that new head coach Rick Carlisle would like to try to figure out the best way to maximize the Turner/Domantas Sabonis duo. It’s possible Carlisle will split up the two Pacers bigs and have Turner come off the bench to start the season, Michael adds.
As for Brogdon, the Pacers have been trying to determine whether he’s the right long-term fit as the team’s point guard and leader, according to Michael. As Michael details, Indiana had some locker room issues in 2020/21 and president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard suggested at the end of the season that the club lacked vocal leadership. The Pacers may expect more in that regard from Brogdon going forward.
Here’s more from around the East:
- The Knicks, who remain on the lookout for another point guard, have some interest in Dennis Schröder, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. Berman also says New York contacted Elfrid Payton at the start of free agency, though it’s unclear if the club views him as a viable fallback option.
- Yam Madar, the 47th overall pick in the 2020 draft, hopes to play for the Celtics this season, he told reporters on Tuesday. As Jared Weiss of The Athletic tweets, Boston’s plan is to see how Madar’s Summer League stint goes and to evaluate its options from there.
- Nets star Kevin Durant is thrilled that Blake Griffin is set to return to the team for another season, writes Brian Lewis of The New York Post. “To have Blake back, I’m so excited,” Durant said from Tokyo. “I mean, as soon as the season was over, I was telling him that we want him back and telling him that, you know, we should try to do it again. And I was glad to see it get done.” In a separate story, Lewis confirms that James Johnson‘s new deal with Brooklyn is worth the veteran’s minimum.
- After recently announcing a new deal for NHL star Alex Ovechkin, the centerpiece of his other franchise, Wizards owner Ted Leonsis discussed the contrast between how things played out with Ovechkin and Russell Westbrook, per Emily Kaplan of ESPN. “We had a superstar player with the Wizards, he had an opportunity and wanted to be traded to the Lakers,” Leonsis said. “And I was dealing with that as we were announcing Alex. I couldn’t help but self-reflect on what a difference it is. Here’s a great player in Russell Westbrook, played in OKC, wanted to be traded, went to Houston, wanted to be traded, came to D.C., wanted to be traded and is now in L.A. He’s an unbelievably great person and an unbelievably great player. But that’s the difference between the NBA and the NHL, I suppose.”
No No No on Elfrid Payton please don’t do that…now that I’ve said that they will sign him to 3 years 30 million
Exactly!
Yeah, in pretty much any other league if you ask to be traded 3 times, you’re blackballed
The trade interest was mutual tho in all cases. Seems OKC, Houston and Washington wanted to get rid of Westbrook so there wasn’t much to be angry about.
In the story they mention Knicks could still do a SnT for Bullock. I’d rather Frank back than Payton. Payton needs a new place. Don’t know if it’s true ?
Berman : writes that Nunn turned down more money from Knicks. To go to Lakers. I’m surprised Knicks made offer, if true. PG is still what we need. Rose is not a starter. And NY media keeps calling him one. Also there is no mention of Quickley as a PG. Wonder if that’s a mistake or a Freudian slip. Still think best way to a solid PG now is Toppin and Quickley. Trades have to be coming next, right.
Not a Sexton guy. But gotta admit, I keep checking him out. I wonder if he would work here. Really don’t want to pay him. Been watching lot of tape on him. Geez
Leonsis shi**ing on Westbrook, but in reality there is just a bigger difference an individual can make in basketball. In a playoff game Westbrook can play 40+ outta 48 while ovi might play 26,27 of 60.
As far as I recall, I don’t remember Russ ever actually asking for a trade out of any of those locations. OKC asked if he wanted to be moved as they already moved PG and were looking to rebuild. Houston moved him because his contract seemed worse than Wall’s contract. And I doubt Washington is too upset about him leaving and getting out of his contract.
Maybe he did ask for trades and it was never reported, but it seems like Leonsis is trying to save face from something.
Payton would be a good signing for any of the contending teams that can only offer vet minimum. LAL, LAC, BYN, MIL, etc.
In this era, his inability to shoot from distance will always define him and limit him to a part time role, but neither it (nor the funk he was in at the end of last season) should blind teams to what he does bring. He can both facilitate (he’s a real PG in that sense) and defend the PG spot at a high level, on and off the ball. In matchups against smaller PGs, he can get to the basket at will, and score, without tricking anyone.
We need Madar in the nba!
As I’ve previously said, I think Celtics fans will like Madar. Reminded me of Patrick Beverly
Of the 2, Sabonas should come off the bench and get a lot of the possessions. Turner’s screen setting, defense, floor spacing is way too important. Indiana has put a lot of pieces together, so interested to see what they do. Finally kind of filled a couple of spots that have been an issue for a long time