Pacers trade rumors & speculation thread

[basketballwacko2]

I'm now at the point with everyone healthy to stand pat. The issue is needing to sign Turner in the Off Season. IF they can't resign him the center position is gonna be a major issue for the 2025-26 season. I think a signed Turner could have very high value especially if he signs for something like $25 million per year over 4 years and it would be a mistake to just let him leave because of cap/tax issues.

To resign Turner and stay out of the tax they are gonna need to move some of the mid sized contracts.

[Wizop]

I think a signed Turner could have very high value especially if he signs for something like $25 million per year over 4 years and it would be a mistake to just let him leave because of cap/tax issues.

I think it'll be more like 30mm than 25mm but I agree we should keep him even if that means losing someone we like.

[basketballwacko2]

I think a signed Turner could have very high value especially if he signs for something like $25 million per year over 4 years and it would be a mistake to just let him leave because of cap/tax issues.

I think it'll be more like 30mm than 25mm but I agree we should keep him even if that means losing someone we like.

You're probably right, and he's worth it considering his shot blocking and 3pt shot, he's worth as much or more than the Jarrett Allen type rebounder with no shot outside 8 feet.

[JMaster5K]

I think a signed Turner could have very high value especially if he signs for something like $25 million per year over 4 years and it would be a mistake to just let him leave because of cap/tax issues.

I think it'll be more like 30mm than 25mm but I agree we should keep him even if that means losing someone we like.

You're probably right, and he's worth it considering his shot blocking and 3pt shot, he's worth as much or more than the Jarrett Allen type rebounder with no shot outside 8 feet.

He's worth it, because of his history here,... and because his preferred offense and defense don't conflict with Pascal's. They compliment each other. Pascal needs a 5 that can play 5 out, and let him play the mid-post. Myles doesn't really play as a post-up 5. He has in a few specific sets,.. but that isn't his normal, effective way to play. Myles has also (sorta obviously) been working on his cutting & driving game.

On defense... Pascal can really help as the weakside shotblocker,... & keep the other teams 4 on the perimeter. He's not a quick as he once was,.. but he can closeout without having to hedge because Myles is behind him at the rim. Both their games compliment each other really well.

There are maybe,.... what? 3 or 4 centers in the league that can compliment Pascal (and vice versa) as well as Myles? There were only 2 that Pascal said he wanted to play with, & Myles (If I remember correctly? ) was first on that list?

a few key teams are looking for 5's that can shoot & defend the rim. So, I don't think this is a slam dunk. But I am praying that Myles can see the benefits of being here,.. with this team,... and prefer to stay,.. and that the team will be committed to make him a reasonable & fair offer for his value, that makes it possible for him to stay and be happy. If we have to lose someone to keep Myles,... then so be it. IMO, he would be very hard to replace because of the way this team fits together,... and It would very hard for Myles to find a team that fits him as well as this one? Can I hope for a win-win?

[Helsbyte]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin the following off-season. We really need to be looking for away to kick the can down the road bit. Put a top 8 protected 26 1st on the table and Indy would be foolish to say no. I know some of you are on the Mathurin hype train, but he will never fill his full potential in Indiana. Our style doesn't maximize his skill set. It almost feels like Turbonis 2.0 instead now it is Halithurin(lol). We would have to retool our offense and that is not happening with Haliburton as our lead guard. Obi, Mathurin, and one of our injured centers should be the core of a trade. Preferably a vet on an expiring.

[Wizop]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin.

Mathurin is still on a rookie contract. I think we'll have to move someone on a bigger contract which means Obi or Nesmith.

[Helsbyte]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin.

Mathurin is still on a rookie contract. I think we'll have to move someone on a bigger contract which means Obi or Nesmith.

Sorry I should have been more detailed. We will probably lose Mathurin the following off season. He is extension eligible this off season I believe.

[JMaster5K]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin.

Mathurin is still on a rookie contract. I think we'll have to move someone on a bigger contract which means Obi or Nesmith.

Imo, you are both correct. We will have to move someone to keep the players that fit with this team.

On just a quick glance at the cap sheet on Spotrac, it looks like we have around 25 mil (under 1st apron) before signing anyone. (Scoot correct me here?). If OB1 is traded essentially for cap relief, that would put us with around 38 mill to resign players? which should work?

If Benn doesn’t fit, either off-season or next year, then they could likely move him as well? Could also keep him through his rookie contract.

I feel like this is their baseline. If they got a no-brainer offer for both, this year, I think they would do it.

I don’t think they are in any rush. They don’t have to do something now to make these adjustments. This isn’t the last year of OB’s contract, so he should be trade eligible this off season as well?

So, I agree. Something will have to give, at some point, I just don’t think it has to be now?….

[Helsbyte]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin.

Mathurin is still on a rookie contract. I think we'll have to move someone on a bigger contract which means Obi or Nesmith.

Imo, you are both correct. We will have to move someone to keep the players that fit with this team.

On just a quick glance at the cap sheet on Spotrac, it looks like we have around 25 mil (under 1st apron) before signing anyone. (Scoot correct me here?). If OB1 is traded essentially for cap relief, that would put us with around 38 mill to resign players? which should work?

If Benn doesn’t fit, either off-season or next year, then they could likely move him as well? Could also keep him through his rookie contract.

I feel like this is their baseline. If they got a no-brainer offer for both, this year, I think they would do it.

I don’t think they are in any rush. They don’t have to do something now to make these adjustments. This isn’t the last year of OB’s contract, so he should be trade eligible this off season as well?

So, I agree. Something will have to give, at some point, I just don’t think it has to be now?….

I agree they don't have to move right now but they should be actively looking. We do have log jam of players and abit of a playing time crunch. Moving both Obi, Math and Wiseman for say Cam Johnson(just using him as an example) and draft capital coming our way would open up time for Walker at the 4. Our rotation would look something like this:

Haliburton/ McConnell
Nembhard/Shepherd
Johnson/Nesmith
Siakim/Walker
Turner/Bryant

I am not advocating to get Cam. I personally believe Nesmith delivers a lot of what Cam provides at only 11m per year but I do see the fit with Cam. But that would be arguably one of the best 1-10 in the league with better shooting and defense that we currently have.

[Scoot McGroot]

Mathurin is still on a rookie contract. I think we'll have to move someone on a bigger contract which means Obi or Nesmith.

Imo, you are both correct. We will have to move someone to keep the players that fit with this team.

On just a quick glance at the cap sheet on Spotrac, it looks like we have around 25 mil (under 1st apron) before signing anyone. (Scoot correct me here?). If OB1 is traded essentially for cap relief, that would put us with around 38 mill to resign players? which should work?

If Benn doesn’t fit, either off-season or next year, then they could likely move him as well? Could also keep him through his rookie contract.

I feel like this is their baseline. If they got a no-brainer offer for both, this year, I think they would do it.

I don’t think they are in any rush. They don’t have to do something now to make these adjustments. This isn’t the last year of OB’s contract, so he should be trade eligible this off season as well?

So, I agree. Something will have to give, at some point, I just don’t think it has to be now?….

I agree they don't have to move right now but they should be actively looking.

The good news is that Ted Wu is one of the best in the league at cap management and machinations. And Chad/KP are some of the best in the league at keeping the phone lines working and listening at what's happening out there in order to jump in as a 3rd team, or grab someone who surprisingly shakes free.

We do have log jam of players and abit of a playing time crunch. Moving both Obi, Math and Wiseman for say Cam Johnson(just using him as an example) and draft capital coming our way would open up time for Walker at the 4. Our rotation would look something like this:

Haliburton/ McConnell
Nembhard/Shepherd
Johnson/Nesmith
Siakim/Walker
Turner/Bryant

I'm with the concept, for sure, but just keep in mind, that deal puts Indy into the tax this year. I've seen Cam's contract incentives, and if we acquire him, he'll count as AT LEAST $23.6m, maybe more if he starts grabbing steals and his assist percentage rises. Our outgoing package there would be $22.549m, so we'd add over $1m, and we'd end up about $1m into the tax, but with only 13 players signed, and still needing to add a 14th player to get to the league minimum.

Realistically, if we trade for Cam this year, we'd have to do either Obi/Nesmith/Wiseman as the salary match, or we'd have to add Isaiah Jackson to that package you suggest, in order to then be able to sign a 13th and 14th player to get back to the league minimum roster size and stay under the tax.

And remember, this year will be specifically important to stay under the tax, as the distribution payment could be close to $20m PER TEAM under the luxury tax this year. So, going from $1 under the tax to $1 over the tax could cost Indy more than $20m extra.

I am not advocating to get Cam. I personally believe Nesmith delivers a lot of what Cam provides at only 11m per year but I do see the fit with Cam. But that would be arguably one of the best 1-10 in the league with better shooting and defense that we currently have.

I'm with you. Cam is just the current example, so we're all kind of using it. I do think that there will need to be a cap casualty. To me, Obi is the simplest, as Jarace is starting to grow into being a consistent producer every night. Nesmith's contract is cheaper and flat, while Obi's is a little more and rises every year. Moving Mathurin could help a lot too, depending on where you think any possible extension comes. We don't have to extend him early, though, so we could wait through this next summer, and also let him enter restricted free agency and see where it comes in at, or trade him next year midseason.

We could also do things like try and trade our 2025 1st round pick at the draft for a 2026 1st round pick and push off that cap commitment a year? A vet minimum instead of that 1st round pick would save $1-2m in all likelihood for next year's cap/tax. Dealing Mathuring for a draft pick obviously helps most in two years, but helps some next year. But also, this cap management focus is why if Ryan Dunn shakes loose in any possible Butler to Phoenix trade, we should jump in and try and trade for him. He's producing immediately as a 3 and D SF/PF, and was drafted at the end of the 1st round, with 3 more cheap years to go, and he'll be paid less than $3m each of this year and the next 2 seasons, helping to balance out some cap issues. But look at other similar guys. The concept is similar.


The other good news is that, starting next cap year, the two lowest brackets of the luxury tax will get much cheaper. Instead of $1.50-$1 and $1.75-$1 penalties for the first two brackets, they'll dip to just $1-$1 and $1.25-$1 for the first two brackets (which the first two luxury tax brackets are no longer $1-$5m over and $5-$10m over the tax, but will be more like $1-$5.7m and $5.7m-$11m, as they now rise at the rate of rise in the salary cap).

[JMaster5K]

I agree they don't have to move right now but they should be actively looking. We do have log jam of players and abit of a playing time crunch. Moving both Obi, Math and Wiseman for say Cam Johnson(just using him as an example) and draft capital coming our way would open up time for Walker at the 4. Our rotation would look something like this:

Haliburton/ McConnell
Nembhard/Shepherd
Johnson/Nesmith
Siakim/Walker
Turner/Bryant

I am not advocating to get Cam. I personally believe Nesmith delivers a lot of what Cam provides at only 11m per year but I do see the fit with Cam. But that would be arguably one of the best 1-10 in the league with better shooting and defense that we currently have.

I hear ya,... as much as I would like Walker to be the 4,... I think we would likely end up something close to,.. This would be my ideal line-up,...

Haliburton / McConnell
Nembhard / Shepherd
Walker / Nesmith / Furphy
Siakam / To be found 4/3 with defensive focus - probably a draft pick? can learn from Pascal & guard big wings on either side.*
Turner / Bryant / I-Jax

*If we can't find someone,.. I could see Freeman growing into this role,.. but it would take a lot of consistency,.. and I don't think he has the time to grow into a future starter, rotation player,.. yes.

If Walker continues to show out,... Imagine the opponents best small wing (SG, SF) having to go against him,.. only to have Nesmith come in with a full gas tank when Jarace sits,....LOL - and then being able to back up Drew with either Aaron or Ben depending on matchups!! Flexibility when Tyrese sits to go full D,.. with Drew at the point?... Yeah,.. we aren't there yet,... it could turn out completely differently,. likely will,... but the possibility of that, based on what we've seen over the last few games?.... Well,... it has me smiling,.. just typing it.

[Wizop]

theAthletic says of Cam Johnson

Johnson would be a dream fit for an uptempo team with a lead guard and stretch big that thrives in transition.

that sure sounds like us. I haven't been a big trade booster but this does explain the interest.

[Scoot McGroot]

theAthletic says of Cam Johnson

Johnson would be a dream fit for an uptempo team with a lead guard and stretch big that thrives in transition.

that sure sounds like us. I haven't been a big trade booster but this does explain the interest.

To be fair, this has been the extent of what has been reported. There haven’t been any reports that Indy is actually trying to acquire Johnson as much as reports have specifically said “league sources expect the Pacers to have interest”.

But when it comes down to salary matching for a trade, it gets tough. It basically has to be Obi/Nesmith, or else Indy is in the luxury tax this year. Are you willing to do that? Are you willing to possibly add in another first, if you have to?

[basketballwacko2]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin the following off-season. We really need to be looking for away to kick the can down the road bit. Put a top 8 protected 26 1st on the table and Indy would be foolish to say no. I know some of you are on the Mathurin hype train, but he will never fill his full potential in Indiana. Our style doesn't maximize his skill set. It almost feels like Turbonis 2.0 instead now it is Halithurin(lol). We would have to retool our offense and that is not happening with Haliburton as our lead guard. Obi, Mathurin, and one of our injured centers should be the core of a trade. Preferably a vet on an expiring.

I'm not sure I understand the bold part? IF you're suggesting the Pacers trade a Top 8 protected 2026 pick, they can't because they owe that to the Raptors from the Siakam trade.

I'm sure we all realize that to keep Turner some of the mid sized contracts are gonna have to be moved. As for "losing" Mathurin he will be a restricted free agent so he can't walk maybe an S&T but we'll have to address these issues in the off season.

[Wizop]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin the following off-season. We really need to be looking for away to kick the can down the road bit. Put a top 8 protected 26 1st on the table and Indy would be foolish to say no.

I'm not sure I understand the bold part? IF you're suggesting the Pacers trade a Top 8 protected 2026 pick, they can't because they owe that to the Raptors from the Siakam trade.

the other way around. the suggestion is to move Mathurin if a 2026 pick comes back.

[basketballwacko2]

You guys do realise it will be impossible to keep everyone once Turner is signed, we probably will lose Mathurin the following off-season. We really need to be looking for away to kick the can down the road bit. Put a top 8 protected 26 1st on the table and Indy would be foolish to say no.

I'm not sure I understand the bold part? IF you're suggesting the Pacers trade a Top 8 protected 2026 pick, they can't because they owe that to the Raptors from the Siakam trade.

the other way around. the suggestion is to move Mathurin if a 2026 pick comes back.

Honestly I couldn't figure out what he was talking about.

[Wizop]

Honestly I couldn't figure out what he was talking about.

he was saying we might have to lose Mathurin and if another team offered a top 8 protected 2026 pick for him we should take it.

[basketballwacko2]

Honestly I couldn't figure out what he was talking about.

he was saying we might have to lose Mathurin and if another team offered a top 8 protected 2026 pick for him we should take it.

Yeah with your help I can see that now, but still Mathurin is a RFA and the team won't let him "leave" like a UFA.

[ReggiesKnicks]

What do people think about potentially moving Myles Turner?

It will be difficult to resign him at a favorable price point. He still has a lot of value around the league with his unique skill-set.

[Wizop]

What do people think about potentially moving Myles Turner?

It will be difficult to resign him at a favorable price point. He still has a lot of value around the league with his unique skill-set.

We expect to trade some players we like to make room for Myles next contract.