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The 2023 NBA Draft is less than a month away. With the combine in the rearview mirror, teams are hosting player workouts. It's also the time when draft trade chatter picks up.

The Indiana Pacers, who hold three picks in the first round of the draft, are reportedly looking at trading up. Indiana is looking into packaging the #7, #26 and #29 picks together to move up in the first round.

The Pacers are continuing the rebuild their roster around a core that includes Tyrese Haliburton, an extended Myles Turner and roster and cap flexibility. Indiana could have over $27 million in cap space this summer.

Via Marc Stein/Substack

Hmm, wonder if this is them actually wanting someone who's likely to be available at like #5 or them just saying the obvious point that 'gee, it'd be great if we could package this for Brandon Miller, wouldn't it?'

Pistons might be interested at #5

HotelVitale wrote:Hmm, wonder if this is them actually wanting someone who's likely to be available at like #5 or them just saying the obvious point that 'gee, it'd be great if we could package this for Brandon Miller, wouldn't it?'

There are a number of forwards that would be nice fits for the Pacers that are likely to be taken in the 2-10 range. Brandon Miller, Cam Whitmore, Jarace Walker, Taylor Hendricks, and maybe even Ausar Thompson would all be great additions for the Pacers. The Pacers really need help at the forward spots and at PF in particular. A Big Wing that plays both sides of the ball would take the Pacers to the next level.

Amen may have more raw talent than his twin brother Ausar, but he really needs the ball in his hands to be effective. Ausar Thompson plays much more like a Wing and is the superior off-ball player. I think Ausar is a much better fit on the Pacers next to Haliburton, Nemby, Mathurin and Duarte (not to mention veterans McConnell and Hield). I actually prefer Ausar as a prospect, but he still may not be what the Pacers are looking for.

A lot of it may depend on where Amen Thompson and Anthony Black are drafted. Both players have Wing size, but play like PG's. If one or both get drafted 3-6 then the Pacers will have a lot more options to choose from at 7.

TL:DR - To answer your question, I believe this is more than just wishful thinking with respect to Brandon Miller. I think this is the Pacers looking to position themselves to draft one of whichever Forwards they prefer and legitimately offering picks #26 and #29 in order to do so.

theBigLip wrote:Pistons might be interested at #5

Possibly. The Pistons don't need 3 more prospects to develop, but we could maybe use picks #26 and #29 to trade for a veteran we like. It depends on how the draft plays out and whether or not we think we can still get a guy we want at #7.

Personally, I think the Pistons hold on to the pick and draft Cam Whitmore or Jarace Walker.

hippesthippo wrote:

theBigLip wrote:Pistons might be interested at #5

Possibly. The Pistons don't need 3 more prospects to develop, but we could maybe use picks #26 and #29 to trade for a veteran we like. It depends on how the draft plays out and whether or not we think we can still get a guy we want at #7.

Personally, I think the Pistons hold on to the pick and draft Cam Whitmore or Jarace Walker.

Agree that Pistons likely hang onto #5, and certainly not trading before the draft. But if they see the draft play out in their favor, they could easily trade down. There are several players in that 5-10 range that will be good. They also all have some warts. Whitmore seems most likely as it stands.

Every team would love to trade up but this isn’t the nfl. The talent level in the nba draft dries up really quickly. No one is trading scoot Henderson for Anthony black and dereck lively

HotelVitale wrote:it'd be great if we could package this for Brandon Miller, wouldn't it?'

No. Too many questions concerning his character.

Tom White wrote:

HotelVitale wrote:it'd be great if we could package this for Brandon Miller, wouldn't it?'

No. Too many questions concerning his character.

Yeah but that'd be the only reason anyone would consider trading him. Prospect-wise he's worth way way more than #7 and some late picks.

I'd have to think that the highest pick that might be in play is the #3 and that would be questionable too.

Tom White wrote:

HotelVitale wrote:it'd be great if we could package this for Brandon Miller, wouldn't it?'

No. Too many questions concerning his character.

The only real question was in regard to that murder and how much he was involved with it. I had heard that he took the gun to the guy who shot the girl, but the police have said he is clear of wrong doing. So maybe he didn't know anything about it, maybe he just drove the car there and the gun was in the car? IDK, it's up to the teams to find out.

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