Indiana Pacers may look to trade seventh pick in NBA Draft for wing players, according to multiple reports
Multiple reports published on Friday indicate that the Indiana Pacers may be open to moving the seventh overall pick in the NBA Draft for talent on the wing.
The first of the reports came from Brian Windhorst of ESPN. Windhorst, via The Hoop Collective podcast, shared notes about many teams picking within the top-10 of the NBA Draft that could be interested in making a trade.
"Indiana has been talking [to] people about the seventh pick. I have been told they've been trying to get wing players," Windhorst said (about the 1:02:00 mark). "They've been trying to move out of the seventh pick to get a high-level wing player now. Which frankly, they might be able to do if they're motivated enough."
The Pacers lack depth on the wing. Last season, Aaron Nesmith, Chris Duarte, Oshae Brissett, and Jordan Nwora operated as the team's forwards for much of the season, and the blue and gold deployed three-or-four guard lineups often. They need size, wings, and fours badly.
Head coach Rick Carlisle noted that in his end-of-season press conference. "The team will look different next year. There's no question about that," he said. "Everybody wants a four man that has length. That can guard multiple positions. That can shoot threes and make plays."
A forward who can defend and provide some offensive firepower would change Indiana's dynamic considerably. They wouldn't be as reliant on All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton and would be much better on both ends of the court. They haven't had consistent forward play since Thaddeus Young left in free agency and T.J. Warren went down with his foot injury.
Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report reported something similar about the Pacers and their possibilities with the seventh overall pick.
"The Indiana Pacers have made the No. 7 pick available for a trade, sources tell B/R. The Pacers are said to be in the market for a starting-caliber wing." Haynes said in a column that featured other transactional NBA reporting.
As it stands, it isn't clear who will start for the Pacers at any position besides point guard and center. Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, and Andrew Nembhard could all be in the mix, but quality wings are needed. Apparently, Indiana is willing to trade a lot to make that happen.
The Pacers have also been linked via reporting to trades involving their selections later in the first round as well as deals that would allow them to move up in the draft order. There are a number of things the blue and gold could do with their combination of picks, cap space, and assets. More will be known by next Thursday when the NBA Draft takes place.
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- Report: Indiana Pacers engaged in trade talks involving NBA Draft picks 26, 29, and 32. CLICK HERE.
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