As they weigh their options on the trade market in the next few weeks, the Pacers will be seeking shooting and players who fit head coach Rick Carlisle‘s system, sources tell Eric Pincus of Bleacher Report.
As Pincus observes, this could make the Mavericks an intriguing trade partner for the Pacers. Reports have indicated that Dallas has interest in Myles Turner, and Carlisle may value some of his former players more than other teams would. According to Pincus, several rival executives had considered the Mavs the favorites to land Turner using a package that includes Dwight Powell as a salary-matching piece, plus either Jalen Brunson and/or Dorian Finney-Smith.
Turner’s health complicates matters, however. The Pacers’ big man is expected to be sidelined through the February 10 trade deadline due to a foot injury, which will likely temper enthusiasm among his potential suitors. Additionally, league sources tell Marc Stein (Twitter link) that the Mavericks have recently backed off their pursuit of Turner as their defense has moved into the NBA’s top five.
While Turner may no longer be a top target, it’s still possible the Mavericks will consider moving Brunson or Finney-Smith for a roster upgrade, especially if they’re concerned about their ability to sign either player this summer, when they’ll reach unrestricted free agency. According to Pincus, there’s a sense around the league that Finney-Smith probably won’t get more than the full mid-level exception, whereas Brunson is “believed by many” to be seeking a four-year, $80MM deal.
Here’s more from Pincus:
- Rival teams don’t get the sense that the Cavaliers are making Isaac Okoro or Kevin Love readily available, Pincus says. That doesn’t mean that either player – especially Love – is untouchable, but it sounds like they’re not being actively shopped.
- There’s an expectation that the Trail Blazers will pursue deals that help them shed a few million dollars in salary to get under the luxury tax line, according to Pincus, who suggests Robert Covington, Jusuf Nurkic, and even Larry Nance Jr. are among Portland’s potential trade candidates. The Blazers gave up a first-round pick for Nance last summer.
- Some executives around the NBA believe the Hawks acquired a first-round pick from New York in the Cam Reddish trade in an effort to improve a potential offer for Sixers star Ben Simmons, writes Pincus. Philadelphia wasn’t interested in Reddish, Pincus adds.
- Multiple teams have interest in Wizards forward Deni Avdija, per Pincus. If Washington looks to upgrade its roster, it’s safe to assume Avdija is someone potential trade partners will ask about.
Love and Okoro have both shown this season that they are VALUABLE assists to this team. Take yesterday’s win against the Nets as proof. Love was the offensive catalyst for the second team, making sure that they didn’t fall behind when Darius Mobley or Jarrett went out of the game. As for Okoro his fourth quarter defense on Kyrie was top notch! Even Kyrie was giving him props (and that’s saying something).
Agreed, love obviously is overpaid but still elite 3 point shooter averaging 14/7 and okoro is a great defender who is great getting to the Tim. Okoro is a 3 point shot away from being a great nba player. Cavs should look to keep their rotation as is and try to get a stud for sexton/ rubio with some picks. Someone like Brandon Ingram or go cheap route and try and pull in a vet like gallinari or Gordon. They will need another playmaker to keep it going too. They rely on garland for way too much right now
Wouldn’t mind them adding bol bol too. Would be a cheap piece to toss a ridiculous lineup of bol, Mobley and Allen out there
I think Bol Bol is having surgery. plus, he serves as much value as Taco.
Who wouldn’t be interested in Reddish?? It’s not like he’s headline the Simmons deal but as a second piece of a deal??? Why not?
Turner would be a good fit in Dallas.
He spaces the floor for Doncic, plays good defence to cover for KP.
I’d definitely give up Powell, Brunson and a first if I were Dallas
We don’t have a 1st to give.
Until 2025
I read that thinking, how about all three (Powell, Brunson & DFS), and a low first TO Dallas. But that resembles too much the trade the Lakers made, and how’s that working put for them.
#FreeBenSimmons
Cavs have good chemistry and I would want to see how far this team can go before tinkering with it.
I tell you what, even I knew the Cavs weren’t more than a 1st round exit, I’d still want the Cavs to make a push for the playoffs. The only caveat is that I wouldn’t trade Sexton for a short term gain nor Love for less than a good role player and other pieces that make us better. No pure salary dumps. If a team wants Love they won’t be giving us junk or 2nd round picks. In other words, I wasn’t them to think in terms of improving the team vs saving money when it comes to Love.
You think they’re not pushing for the playoffs? They’re not shopping Love or Okoro, but that doesn’t rule out doing something there.
Saving money (capspace) does improve the team, as getting a good FA next year becomes possible, and they need a Rubio if not Rubio. Sexton wants paid too and they have about $20m additional to spend before the luxury tax.