The growing sense among rival teams is that the 23-19 Pacers could be a buyer, rather than a seller, at this season’s trade deadline, writes Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Fischer acknowledges that Indiana’s trade deadline outlook could certainly be altered if Tyrese Haliburton‘s foot injury causes him to miss an extended period. Fischer also adds a caveat to the team’s potential status as a buyer — the Pacers won’t be in the market for short-term veterans like Jae Crowder or Bojan Bogdanovic, but will have an eye out for players who could be long-term fits.
According to Fischer, power forward is the spot the Pacers would most like to upgrade. Indiana was high on Keegan Murray prior to the 2022 draft, and while the club was happy to ultimately land Bennedict Mathurin at No. 6, missing out on Murray means the power forward position remains a priority going forward.
If they want to get aggressive, the Pacers will have a couple extra 2023 first-round picks to dangle in trade talks, having acquired Cleveland’s and Boston’s first-rounders. Additionally, while Indiana viewed Chris Duarte as off limits at one point, multiple front office sources tell Fischer that the team has been more willing to discuss him in recent talks.
Here’s more on the Pacers’ plans:
- Indiana has had internal discussions about the possibility of pursuing Hawks power forward John Collins, according to Fischer, who notes that Duarte and draft capital might appeal to Atlanta. The Hawks previously pitched the idea of trading Collins to the Pelicans for Trey Murphy and a first-round pick, Fischer explains. The fact that the Pacers could absorb Collins into their cap room without sending out matching salary could also intrigue the Hawks, who are right around the luxury tax line.
- The Pacers and Myles Turner‘s representatives at CAA continue to discuss a possible renegotiation-and-extension for the veteran center, sources tell Yahoo Sports. Fischer suggests that the four-year, $133MM offer sheet Indiana gave Deandre Ayton in July would be an “obvious benchmark” for Turner’s side to use in contract negotiations.
- Trade rumors involving Turner have slowed down as of late, Fischer observes. Teams like the Hornets, Pelicans, Mavericks, and Lakers have been viewed as potential suitors in the past, but don’t appear to be targeting Turner at this point. If the 26-year-old ends up back on the trade block, the Knicks, Raptors, and Clippers could be fits, Fischer writes.
- The most likely Pacers center to be traded is Goga Bitadze, according to Fischer, who hears from sources that the club would be willing to work with Bitadze’s representatives to find him a new team. Daniel Theis is due back from injury soon and Bitadze hasn’t had much of a role even with Theis out. The fourth-year center also hasn’t been interested in accepting an assignment to the Pacers’ G League team in Fort Wayne, says Fischer.
Lol that would be more like Trey Murphy plus 3 or 4 1sts. John Collins not going anywhere unless someone is willing to overpay for him. He’s just entering his prime, still ridiculously athletic, still a great teammate & the shooting is returning towards his previous elite status slowly but surely. If Indy is willing to give up Buddy & Isaiah Jackson plus a couple of 1sts I’d def have interest but Duarte doesn’t move the needle much tbh
That’s fine if the Hawks value him that way, but don’t expect Collins to generate any trade interest in that case. Most teams view that contract as an overpay as it currently stands; not necessarily an albatross, but definitely not favorable either
Hes gonna generate trade interest either way, we’ve seen that be the case for the past few yrs. Lol @ overpay. He definitely woulda got more on the open market. & if he’s so overpaid why are so many teams thirsty to trade for him?.. But it’s just logical for the Hawks to value him higher than other teams. He’s been our starting 4 for yrs, we don’t have a capable replacement (tho Jalen may be slowly turning the tide on that 1), & we’re proven to be much better with him than w/o him. If teams dw pay the price to trade for him than they can kick rocks lol we got him signed up for like 4 more yrs & he’s a really good 4
How delusional are you to think John Collins is worth 3 or 4 first rounders?
Scale of 1-10, prob a 3
Do you realize that his trade value is down this season ? His outside shot has disappeared. Even if he were a great teammate, that kind of value isn’t there.
If his trade value went down bc of his rough start to the season its definitely rebounded with this recent stretch (18/10 in his last 8gms). His outside shot was horrendous to start the season but it’s getting better as the season goes along as he gets used to shooting with that messed up hand. But as I’ve said time & time again, & as the Hawks front office has shown, if a team isn’t willing to pay what it costs to trade for John then he’ll just continue to be a Hawk. I love that they’re holding out for a big return for him
Hawks been trying to trade Collins for a couple of years now. If they can get a good young player and a pick. They should do it. No way they’re getting more than that.
How absolutely out of touch do you have to be to think a team is going to over the Hawks 3-4 1st round picks on top of the players needed to match salaries. Hawks are in the same tier as the Bulls and the Wizards. Talent on the roster and nothing to show for it. Please tell us which team not only has the capital and intent to use it, but also benefits from JC being on the court
Turner on the Knicks would be nasty on paper. But where exactly would he fit? Can Randle move over to SF? That would be a nightmare for guards going to the hole against a front court of Turner and Robinson
Maybe something around Ayton and Suns 1st for Turner and the 2 extra 1st (cavs and C’s) … Pacers needs to include those picks to get a good player or to move up … i’ld like Josh Hart also when Portland will blow up
Think Sankara is a little off with his view of John Collins which is to be expected as he is a big Hawks fan.
I think behind the scenes John and Trae have a little something going on which got to the point where even the coach was caught up in it. The hawks have been looking at trading Collins almost every season now and this season makes sense as his shooting and production has fallen off. You’d have thought with Danilo home and another playmaker in Murray joining he’s be preforming a lot better as big that can stretch the floor, get lobs at the rim and everything but it hasn’t worked out like that.
Although I don’t agree with it, apparently most teams view Collins deal as an overpay and a negative asset because of the years attached to it. So I understand you wanting a massive return of things but I don’t think n reality that’s a likely outcome.
For the pacers I think Collins would be a great fit. He’d slot straight in as the starting 4. Would go well playing off Tyrese as he can space the floor and get to the rim. His rebounding numbers would increase going from Capela to Turner as the centre. He’d probably be able to operate down on the block at times too with Turner able to space the floor for Collins. Hes never really had that opportunity much with Capela filling the lane.
Id suggest
ATL: Jae Crowder and Chris Duarte
IND: John Collins
PHX: Daniel Theis and Isiah Jackson
Atl replace Collins with Crowder and add Duarte.
Indy gets their guy in Collins.
PHX takes back get Theis and Jackson for Crowder. Third deal ain’t great back they lack depth so he could be useful for them as a player or trade chip. Jackson would be a decent replacement for Crowder.
As a hawks fan, I don’t hate this but really don’t see how this helps the team other than getting out from a high dollar contract. We need more rebounding and we need an actual backup pg that can run the offense when Trae is off the floor because the offense stagnates.