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Donte DiVincenzo for TJ McConnell

I don't know if I want Minnesota to give up so much 3-point shooting, but I believe Donte DiVincenzo would represent pretty good value for Indiana and I think McConnell would give Minnesota skill sets at the PG position that the team needs.

I think what really got me thinking about this was thinking about Minnesota's loss to the Thunder. One of the things I heard someone say recently was that Ant and Julius were the only guys who could regularly break the paint in that series. I actually think that's a major key that unlock's Finch's offense, so we need more guys who can do that. I also think McConnell's intensity and work ethic would be great to rub off on the younger guys. I think his contract is a number where he would provide incredible value, but his salary on the books will not cripple us as he ages.

I think Donte provides a "talent" bump for Indiana, and a shift in roster balance to give them a SG. Once Haliburton comes back in a year, that could be a really fun duo. I don't know if Indiana would get any better value for a 33-year old small white effectively third-string PG.

Problem is Indy needs TJ more for this year. Making a trade now thinking maybe in a year they don't re-sign Mathurin and would have minutes for DDV and that Hali is full-speed and they could find a replacement for TJ probably isn't the direction they would be looking to go.

He's just such a spark for them and injects something completely different into games. DDV probably can play more minutes for a random team, but he can't match the per minute impact.

I'd pass pretty easily as Indy.

TJ also have 2 more years of control left vs DDV, which is important for budget conscious Indy if they want to keep Mathurin long term

DDV isn’t enough of a ball handler to make me consider this, especially with Haliburton out for the year. Add in that Indy also has Nesmith, Mathurin, Nembhard (starter at 1, but obviously plays 2 as well), Sheppard, and draftees Kam Jones and Taelon Peter to handle playing time at the 2/3, and there’s just not a need for DDV, especially in a year when Haliburton returns and Nembhard moves back to the 2 alongside him.

DDV is a really good player. He’s just not really a fit or need with Indy’s current roster balance/needs, though. Definitely not nearly as good a fit as TJ is this year and next.

If TJ was expiring I could see it maybe. But as is I’d rather hold TJ as Indy.

As others said, this is bad from a fit prospective for the Pacers. Subtract TJ McConnell from the team and Andrew Nemberhard become the team's only major playmaker for this upcoming season. This trade would've been much more plausible if Hailburton didn't have a serious injury that will keep him for a entire season, but that's not the reality we live.

In a vacuum I think it's reasonable, but as noted above, it doesn't fit Indy's immediate or long-term needs. Immediately, we need TJ badly - Nembhard will probably start at PG but TJ will be playing even more than previous years. In the long-term, we have TJ on a solid deal for a few more years. DiVincenzo however will need a new contract after this season, and with Mathurin being in the same boat we probably wouldn't be able to keep both him and Ben.

Just not the right fit for the Pacers.

I know Indiana isn't fully punting on the year, but I'm somewhat surprised there is so much concern about needing him this year considering Tyrese's injury. Thought there might have been a wider focus on building around Tyrese rather than worrying about the 33-year old backup PG position in somewhat of a lost season.

Klomp wrote:I know Indiana isn't fully punting on the year, but I'm somewhat surprised there is so much concern about needing him this year considering Tyrese's injury.

You’re surprised Indy isn’t punting, but you’re surprised they aren’t punting?

Gotta have reasonable ball handling. There’s absolutely no development whatsoever for Mathurin, Nesmith, Furphy, Walker, etc if you punt on ball handling and have a clunky offense.

Thought there might have been a wider focus on building around Tyrese rather than worrying about the 33-year old backup PG position in somewhat of a lost season.

I think TJ is the better building without Tyrese, but also with Tyrese going forward, when you look at the rest of the Indy roster. What does DDV provide when you have Mathurin? And Nembhard? And Nesmith? And Sheppard? And even Kam Jones, and Peters? Etc? The need for a fiery scoring two guard is just lessened with the guys that Indy has. What they need, especially in a Carlisle system, is 3 PG’s.

Scoot McGroot wrote:You’re surprised Indy isn’t punting, but you’re surprised they aren’t punting?

Cut me some slack, I am going on 12 hours of running on 3 hours sleep, and about to start my regular work day. Databases are lagging.