Indiana Pacers Realistic Trade Targets
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During the offseason, there were 85 players that were free agents in the NBA that signed contracts to remain with their team or with a new team. On Sunday, those players become trade eligible.
With Moses Brown being waived earlier this week, the Indiana Pacers have an open roster spot (again). The biggest need for the blue and gold is a backup center with Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman being sidelined this season with achilles injuries. Here is a list of backup centers that signed contracts this offseason that could be in play for Indiana:
- Goga Bitadze – Orlando Magic
- Cody Zeller – Atlanta Hawks
- Drew Eubanks – Utah Jazz
- Thomas Bryant – Miami Heat
- Daniel Theis – New Orleans Pelicans
Of those five names listed, Bitadze would be the most challenging for Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan to acquire. Bitadze agreed to 3-year $25 million contract with Orlando. On average, that is just over $8 million per year. Bitadze is set to make $9 million this season, just over $8 million next season, and slightly more than $7.5 million in 2026-2027 season.
Indiana’s currently $2.2 million beneath the luxury tax and $7 million under the first apron.
Those other four players listed above, are all making under $5 million this season. Bryant and Theis are the cheapest among the five names listed, making $2.8 million this season. It would seem likely that in order to stay beneath the luxury tax, Indiana would have to move James Wiseman ($2.2 million), Isaiah Jackson ($4.4 million), or both.
There are other players on the roster that could be enticing to teams as the November 6th deadline approaches. Myles Turner and Obi Toppin specifically. Turner because he is on an expiring deal, but no team can negotiate a contract extension with him until the season ends.
“If they’re going to make a move, I think it would be more focused around Obi Toppin, moving off what’s owed to him. That would be a move towards the future because it does give you some flexibility with Myles (Turner) becoming a free agent this offseason. If the goal is to resign him, so that’s the one thing I would probably circle if I was a Pacers fan.” ESPN front office insider Bobby Marks on Query & Company Wednesday afternoon.
Parting ways with Toppin would allow free up consistent minutes for Jarace Walker. With Aaron Nesmith being injured, Walker has been consistently in the lineup for Indiana. The 2023 lottery pick hasn’t always provided consistency, but there have been more flashed from him this season compared to last season.
The next seven weeks will certainly be interesting with how the Pacers want to approach the future.
To listen to Jake Query and Jimmy Cook’s conversation with former ESPN’s front office insider Bobby Marks, download the podcast containing the conversation below! You can always listen to the Query & Company from 12pm-3pm on 93.5/107.5 The Fan. You can also watch and interact with the show by going to the 107.5 The Fan YouTube Channel.
