The Indiana Pacers are never discussed in blockbuster trade rumors, but they might flip that narrative on its head this summer.
After a disappointing start to the 2024-25 season, the Pacers have bounced back in a huge way and are 42-30 entering Thursday, good for the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference with just 10 games left on their schedule.
Indiana is looking once again like the team that shocked everyone last season and went on a deep playoff run.
The Pacers will have an uphill battle this spring as they look to repeat similar postseason success, and an earlier exit is probably in the cards.
This makes it all the more possible that Indiana might feel the need to make a huge splash over the summer on the trade market.
According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, the Pacers might enter the sweepstakes for a certain Phoenix Suns superstar widely expected to be moved.
“Watching Tyrese Haliburton tally 18 assists to 1 turnover … against the (Los Angeles) Lakers, continuing his historic playmaking stretch, the Pacers stand out as a team who should chase another star this summer,” Sidery wrote.
“For example, imagine Kevin Durant being spoon fed easy looks by Haliburton on a consistent basis in the Eastern Conference.”
“Indiana has the necessary picks and prospects to make an all-in title push.”
Durant on the Pacers would be the surprise of the summer, but KD will have a ton of other suitors on the trade market, most notably in the form of big-market teams like the Lakers and the New York Knicks.
At some point, Indiana should bring in another superstar to play with Haliburton, but is Durant really going to be that guy? Keep an eye on Indiana, especially if they get bounced early from the playoffs.
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