Yet, there was a considerable gap between the Pacers and contenders like the Boston Celtics. The Pacers will likely need to make some moves this offseason to bolster their NBA championship chances in 2025.

In the Western Conference, the Minnesota Timberwolves are about to find themselves in a similar position. Bleacher Report put together an “ambitious” trade target for every NBA team.

Timberwolves starting forward Jaden McDaniels was labeled the Pacers’ top potential target. Minnesota’s bill will continue to rise in the coming years, forcing the front office to make difficult decisions.

“Everyone expects the Minnesota Timberwolves to address their spiking salary issues by trading Karl-Anthony Towns at some point before the end of the 2024-25 league year,” Bleacher Report’s Grant Hughes wrote in a May 27, 2024 story titled, “1 Ambitious Trade Target for Every NBA Team.” “To be clear, they don’t have to trim payroll at all. If Wolves ownership (whomever that winds up being) wants to pay a bunch of tax and deal with the repercussions of the second apron, Minnesota could simply keep the whole gang together and spend what it costs to do so.

“A middle path exists between the drastic trade of a costly star and the status quo. It involves moving wing defensive ace Jaden McDaniels.”

Pacers Rumors: Could Timberwolves Forward Jaden McDaniels Be the Missing Piece in Indy?

McDaniels has been one of the NBA revelations during the postseason. Through the first three games of the Western Conference Finals, McDaniels averaged 13.7 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game while shooting a blazing 56.3% from long range.

The Wolves forward comes with an expensive price tag given his five-year, $131 million contract that runs through the 2028-29 season. Would the investment put Indianapolis over the top as an NBA contender for the 2024-25 season?

“With Tyrese Haliburton leading the charge, Pascal Siakam serving as a second star who can punish mismatches and a system that skews toward offense in the extreme, Indy has the scoring side of things handled,” Hughes added. “The trouble is on the other end, where a general lack of wing size contributes to a defense that doesn’t disrupt off the ball and lacks a true shutdown option on it.

“… Together with Aaron Nesmith and a full season of Siakam, McDaniels could elevate the Pacers defense to the middle of the pack—maybe even cracking the top 10 if everything breaks right. Combined with a rocket-fueled attack, that should be enough to get Indiana into the true contender class.”

Pacers News: Indy Faces a Decision on Pascal Siakam in NBA Free Agency

McDaniels may be expensive, but Minnesota has been reluctant to move the 23-year-old forward. The Pacers may need to aim a little lower with their potential trade targets.

Indy’s offseason will hinge on what the franchise does with Pascal Siakam who will be a free agent. Obi Toppin is also a restricted free agent this offseason. The good news is the Pacers have their franchise player in Tyrese Haliburton, but the challenge is putting the right pieces around the star.

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“I watch the films and I know what he was about to do when he was going left, spinning around, going right. I was like, yeah, he was the easiest superstar to guard,” Coulibaly said on Fanduel’s flagship NBA show “Run It Back” on May 13.

While this feels a little like Chris Dudley saying he knew Shaquille O’Neal was going drop step to his right shoulder, it’s worth taking a deeper look.

Knowing & Doing Something About It Are 2 Different Things

Siakam played against Coulibaly twice in the 2023-24 season, back when he was still a member of the Toronto Raptors, winning 111-107 on November 13, 2023, and then 132-102 on December 27.

In those two games against the Wizards, Siakam put up a robust 30.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game while shooting 63.2% from the field.

Before beating up on Coulibaly’s take too much, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he does know what Siakam is about to do, maybe Siakam does utilize the same set of moves and maybe his statement isn’t as ludicrous as it sounds.

Then again, if Coulibaly knows what’s coming, he and his Wizards teammates must not have the skill to do anything about it.

In their 111-107 win on November 13, the Raptors rallied in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Wizards 30-16. Siakam had a monster game, scoring 39 points with 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 steals to go with a team-high +18.

According to NBA.com’s matchup data, Coulibaly and Siakam matched up for 2:54 of game time, with the former holding the latter to just 3 points from the free-throw line, forcing 2 turnovers. Most of Siakam’s damage was done against Kyle Kuzma, scoring 15 points in just 5:19 on 6-for-8 from the field.

The December 27 game wasn’t nearly as close as the first, with the Raptors extending a 9-point halftime lead to 16 after the third, cruising the rest of the way. Siakam wasn’t relied upon to score as much, tallying 22 points to go with his 6 rebounds and 11 assists.

In a similar fashion to their first matchup, Coulibaly and Siakam didn’t square off much, with only 1:09 of game time featuring the matchup. Siakam scored a modest 4 points during that time, reserving most of his offensive output for his matchup against Kuzma. Siakam scored 8 points to go with 5 assists in the 5:44 that he was against Kuzma.

Maybe Coulibaly Is Right?

There’s much more that goes into defense than individual matchup stats, and there’s no doubt that Siakam ran roughshod over Kuzma as opposed to Coulibaly, but maybe there’s a sliver of truth to Coulibaly’s claim that he knows what Siakam is going to do.

Coulibaly is listed at 6-foot-8, 195 pounds. Siakam is also 6-foot-8, but has a whopping 50-pound advantage at 245 pounds. He might know what’s coming, but when you’re giving up that much advantage to a player, it just doesn’t matter.

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ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that “there’s optimism that Pacers All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton will return to the lineup against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday, sources told ESPN.”

Haliburton, who is averaging 23.6 points per game while shooting 49.6% from the field and 40% from three, is having a historic season as a facilitator. He currently is averaging a league-best 12.6 assists per game.

Historic Facilitating From Tyrese Haliburton

There have been 16 seasons in NBA history where a player has averaged at least 12 assists. John Stockton has 8 such seasons, Magic Johnson has 5, while Isiah Thomas, Kevin Johnson, and Kevin Porter have each accomplished the feat once.

If Haliburton can maintain this pace, he would be the first player to average 12 or more assists in a season in nearly 30 years. Stockton was the last player to do it when he averaged 12.3 assists for the Utah Jazz in 1994.

Diving into the NBA’s tracking data is where Haliburton’s stats get truly crazy. It is important to note that tracking stats only go back the past decade, to the 2013-14 season, so we don’t have data for those above-mentioned seasons that Stockton and Magic had. With that being said, Haliburton is on pace to have the most assist points created per game since the stat began being tracked.

@AOP_NBA | NBAPassing Stats

Russell Westbrook currently holds the record for a full season. In 2020 Westbrook generated 30.1 assist points per game with the Washington Wizards.

There may be no one on the Pacers who is benefitting more from Haliburton’s incredible season than center Myles Turner. According to PivotFade, Turner has been on the receiving end of 113 of Haliburton’s assists, far and away the most on the team.

PivotFadeHaliburton Passing Network

When taking a step backward, and comparing that to the rest of the league, the connection between Haliburton and Turner becomes even more apparent. Haliburton averages 3.4 assists per game to Turner, which is the most between any duo in the entire league.

Haliburton has been the engine that powers Indiana’s fast-paced offense all year. The Pacers average 26.8 points in transition per game, good for second in the league behind the Oklahoma City Thunder. Per Synergy Sports, Haliburton generates 1.8 points per possession plus assists PP(P+A) while in transition, which is in the 97th percentile in the league. When the offense is in the half court, he is just as impactful, generating 1.6 PP(P+A), which is in the 98th percentile.

Pacers Trade Deadline Speculation

Indiana has already made a huge splash by acquiring Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors this winter. However, according to Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report, the Pacers may not be done.

Bailey reported that the Pacers could be looking to bolster their defense prior to the February 8 trade deadline. The Pacers currently give up 122.8 points per game, which is the third-worst mark in the entire league.

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports recently wrote that Alex Caruso would cost “multiple first-round picks” for the Chicago Bulls to even “consider parting with.” While the steep asking price would make it difficult for Indiana, Caruso is among the league’s most elite defenders and would provide the Pacers with a huge boost on that end of the floor.

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“He is excited about the deal and is expected to be eager to work out a new contract with the franchise this summer, sources told ESPN,” Wojnarowski wrote in a January 17 story.

Wojnarowski revealed what Siakam’s agent, Todd Ramasar, had to say about the trade.

“I’m excited that Pascal is getting a first-class opportunity with the Pacers, being paired with Tyrese [Haliburton] and Myles [Turner] and being coached by a great coach in Rick Carlisle,” Ramasar told Andscape, as reported by Wojnarowski.

This would further support that Siakam intends to stay with the Pacers past this season. Indiana traded three first-round picks for Siakam, which is a hefty price to pay for someone on an expiring contract. The Pacers evidently felt comfortable giving up as much as they did, knowing that Siakam does not intend to jump ship.

Tyrese Haliburton’s Influence on Pascal Siakam’s Future

On the January 17 episode of NBA Today, Wojnarowski delved further into Pascal Siakam’s future with the Pacers. He added how Tyrese Haliburton’s relationship with Siakam factored into his desire to play for the Pacers long-term.

“Nobody wanted to trade for Pascal Siakam without having some confidence that he would re-sign with them, and Indiana has that confidence. Tyrese Haliburton, his relationship with Pascal Siakam, they talked. Talking to those around Siakam today, he’s eager to talk about an extension this summer with Indiana,” Wojnarowski said.

This shows that some of the NBA’s best players have a desire to play with Haliburton if given the chance. Haliburton is a rising star, having made his first all-star team in 2023, and is on track to make another one. Statistically speaking, Haliburton has continued his ascension as one of the NBA’s best playmakers in his fourth season.

Haliburton is averaging 23.6 points and 12.5 assists while shooting 49.7% from the field and 40.3% from three, per Basketball-Reference. Siakam is a two-time star and NBA champion who is ready to help a team win now. Trading for him signifies that the Pacers aim to go on a lengthy playoff run.

Eric Pincus Previewed Pacers’ Trade Deadline Approach

In a January 16 story, Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus previewed what the Pacers put on the table in trades.

“The bait offered is believed to be Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown Jr., and one of Indiana’s two first-round picks in the 2024 draft (it has its own and another that is likely via the Oklahoma City Thunder or LA Clippers),” Pincus wrote.

The Pacers sent Brown and that very pick to the Raptors in exchange for Pascal Siakam. Hield, as well as Benedict Matthurin, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker all remain on the team. The Pacers gave up assets for Pascal Siakam but could use what they have left to acquire another star. The Pacers have not made the playoffs since 2020, but they have signified that they intend to return.

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“The Raptors and Pacers are actively engaged in trade talks centered around two-time All-Star forward Pascal Siakam that would send him to Indiana for a package that includes Bruce Brown Jr., other salaries, and three first-round draft picks, league sources tell The Athletic,” Charania reported in a January 16 story.

Charania added that talks have intensified to the point that the two sides have floated proposals to one another.

“The Raptors have been engaged in discussions with several teams on a potential Siakam deal, but conversations with the Pacers have gained steam in recent days, those sources say. Sources briefed on the talks between the two teams say that there have been several back-and-forth proposals made.”

It will take more than Brown’s deal to facilitate a trade. Since he makes $22 million and Siakam makes $37.8 million, those two can’t be swapped straight up. It’s worth noting that the Sacramento Kings had discussed acquiring Siakam on January 5 but pulled out, per Charania.

This means nothing will be official until the two sides agree on a trade.

Analyst Previews Pacers Trade Deadline Approach

Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus outlined what the Pacers will chase after at the NBA Trade Deadline.

“The Pacers have the lowest payroll in the league (about $8.3 million under the $136 million salary cap) and are said to be looking for a bigger wing to help the team’s playoff run,” Pincus wrote in a January 16 story.

Pincus added what the Pacers are offering and who they might target while explaining why acquiring Pascal Siakam seems unlikely.

“While Siakam is on that list, maybe even at the top, the asking price from Toronto is probably too high,” Pincus wrote. “The bait offered is believed to be Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown Jr., and one of Indiana’s two first-round picks in the 2024 draft. … With enough targets to choose from (Jerami Grant, Andrew Wiggins, Siakam etc.), the answer may be Kyle Kuzma with the Wizards.”

Charania’s report indicates that Toronto’s asking price isn’t too high for Indiana. That could change if the Pacers aren’t comfortable offering three first-round picks after all. Then again, the Raptors may send back more than just Siakam in such a package.

Pascal Siakam Won’t Commit Long-Term to Anyone

The Action Network’s Matt Moore reported on that no matter where he’s traded, Pascal Siakam won’t immediately commit long-term.

“He will not give a verbal commitment whatsoever… with the Pacers, the Hawks, the Kings, the Warriors or any other team that trades for him. He wants to test out free agency,” Moore said on Locked on NBA.

The Pacers’ offering three first-round picks for a half-season rental may indicate optimism in Siakam staying long-term. He has made it clear that, despite being under contract, he controls his own destiny. Siakam is a two-time all-star and NBA champion. The Pacers are right square in the middle of the playoff hunt. Adding Siakam would help their chances of making the playoffs.

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While explaining how the Raptors are approaching a possible Siakam trade, Amick revealed why the Pacers are the current frontrunners.

“Whether it’s the Kings or any other team that is taking a serious look at Siakam — the Indiana Pacers are seen by some rival executives as the leaders in this pack — the factors in play are somewhat similar to those that led to Toronto’s trade with San Antonio for Leonard in the summer of 2018,” Amick wrote in a January 10 story.

The Pacers have to consider some factors when it comes to acquiring Siakam. First, Siakam’s playing on an expiring contract, which makes him a flight risk this coming offseason. Second, acquiring someone like him will take assets even if his deal is set to expire. A talent infusion can certainly help, but it’s not a foolproof plan to trade productive players for an upgrade because developing chemistry takes time.

However, it’s easy to understand why the Pacers want someone like Siakam. He’s a multi-time all-star and NBA champion, still very much in his prime.

Pacers ‘Very Determined’ to Keep Jarace Walker: Insider

During a Q&A on Threads, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski responded to the possibility of the Pacers including Jarace Walker in a Pascal Siakam trade. Raptors reporter Aaron Rose aggregated Wojnarowski’s comments via his X account.

“Never say never, but…I think the Pacers are very, very determined to NOT include Jarace Walker in any trade. Indiana is very high on him, as are other teams, of course,” Wojnarowski wrote.

Walker has only played 12 games for the Pacers this season. Despite being the No. 8 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, he has spent most of the season in the G-League. Walker may not have much to show for it, but that hasn’t deterred the Pacers or any interested suitor.

Odds are, the Pacers aren’t interested in trading him for Siakam because they’d risk trading a developing prospect for someone who could leave in the offseason. However, if Siakam signals to them that he would re-sign with them were a trade to happen, Walker’s inclusion could very well happen.

What Sacramento Offered for Pascal Siakam: Report

HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto reported what the Sacramento Kings offered for Pascal Siakam before talks fell through with the Raptors.

“From my standpoint, I had heard that the Sacramento talks for Siakam centered primarily around Harrison Barnes, Kevin Huerter, Davion Mitchell, and a first-round pick or so of potential draft pick compensation of a first-round variety for Siakam in those talks,” Scotto wrote in a January 10 story.

Ultimately, talks broke down between the Kings and Raptors. Amick reported that Siakam “doesn’t view the Kings as a good long-term fit,” which may kill any chance of a trade. However, the Kings set the tone for what the Raptors are willing to acquire in exchange for Siakam. The Pacers have to think of who they could potentially offer that’s in the same ballpark.

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After the Pacers eliminated the Bucks from the In-Sean Tournament, Lillard responded to Haliburton mocking the “Dame Time” celebration.

“When you dish it out, you gotta be willing to take it. As many times as I’ve done it to people, I can’t be upset when somebody else does it,” Lillard said per FanDuel’s Rob Lopez. “I didn’t mind it. I’ve also known that when you’re having your moment it’s important to be careful. Be humble when you’re having your moments because you just never know when the tables turn.”

Lillard has flashed his “Dame Time” signature many times whenever he took over a game in its closing moments. So much so that it’s been used for commercials in the past.

Lillard and the Bucks will get their chance to avenge their loss against the Pacers on December 13. While they may no longer be in the In-Season Tournament, the Bucks may need to keep the Pacers at a distance after the success they’ve had.

Damian Lillard Says He’s Just Getting Started

While talking with The Athletic’s Eric Nehm, Damian Lillard talked about how he believes the Bucks can get even better from here despite his rocky start, he thinks he can get better.

“Right now, I’m not even making my three. Like, bro, the scariest thing is that we’re (15-7) right now, and we’re trying to figure it all out. And I haven’t even gotten started, bro. I promise you,” Lillard said in a December 7 story.

In 20 games with the Bucks, Lillard is shooting a respectable 35.7% from three during the 2023-24 season, per NBA.com. However, that is a slight downtick from his career three-point percentage, as he’s shot 37.1% from three throughout his career, per Basketball-Reference.

Lillard more often than not was the No. 1 option when he played for the Portland Trail Blazers. Adjusting to being the second in the pecking order after being first for so long is not as easy as it would seem to be despite Lillard’s obvious talent.

Tyrese Haliburton Celebrates Pacers Win

After Tyrese Haliburton beat Damian Lillard and the Bucks, he tweeted a clip from the movie Hardball. In the clip, the little leaguers celebrate that with their win, they’re going to a championship game.

Haliburton is evidently excited to make it to the finals of the NBA’s first In-Season Tournament, which has been a hit. Even if the In-Season Tournament has no baring on the playoffs, the Pacers have made for quite an exciting story. The teams pegged as contenders were expected to be in the finals. While the Pacers may not be a contender, they are rising through the ranks so that they could make some noise in the playoffs.

While not having the same expectations as the Bucks, the Pacers’ in-season tournament run has been impressive.

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“I’m gonna go crazy now against the Knicks,” Haliburton told Knicks reserve guard Josh Hart in a playful banter during one of Team USA’s early practices in Las Vegas.

The friendly trash talk between the two Team USA teammates was caught on film when Haliburton was on the mic. It was shown as part of the halftime feature on Haliburton during Team USA’s 99-91 win over Germany on Sunday.

Haliburton was absent due to injury in Hart’s first two meetings against the Pacers last season after arriving in New York at the trade deadline.

The Knicks split those two games, which came late in the regular season after they had locked up the fifth seed in the Eastern Conference.

With the Knicks’ key players resting, Hart got his first starting gig under Tom Thibodeau and delivered six points, 12 rebounds, seven assists, four steals and one block in a 138-129 win on April 5 in Indianapolis. But four days later, in their regular-season finale, in New York, the Pacers exacted revenge despite being without Haliburton.

Hart’s double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) off the bench was not enough to help the Knicks repeat over the Pacers.

Tyrese Haliburton’s Axe to Grind Against Knicks

While Haliburton’s trash-talking with Hart appeared as a harmless joke, he has some ax to grind against the Knicks after they passed up on him in the 2020 NBA Draft when the team needed a point guard.

And to add insult to injury, MSG Network analyst Wally Szczerbiak ripped Haliburton as “Mr. Supposed, Wannabe, Fake All-Star” when the Pacers guard shot 5-of-16 from the field in a 109-106 Knicks victory. Szczerbiak later issued a public apology.

Instead of taking the future All-Star point guard, the Knicks used the No. 8 pick to draft Obi Toppin, the National College Player of the Year at that time.

Toppin has not panned out in New York and, interestingly, is now Haliburton’s teammate after the Knicks shipped their former backup forward to the Pacers for a pair of late second-round picks.

Haliburton and the Pacers are scheduled to host Hart and the Knicks on December 30 in Indianapolis, then visit them at Madison Square Garden on February 1 and 10 next year.

Haliburton averaged 16.8 points, 6.2 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals against the Knicks in five games– the first three with his former team Sacramento Kings and the last two with the Pacers.

Bill Simmons Bats for Tyrese Haliburton Over Jalen Brunson

The Ringer’s Bill Simmons pushed for Haliburton over Brunson as Team USA’s primary point guard.

“Team USA’s biggest issue for the actual tournament — accepting that [Tyrese] Haliburton and [Austin] Reaves are [two] of the best guys on the team. They’re gonna have to be out there in any big situation even if feelings get hurt,” Simmons posted on X (formerly Twitter).

Simmons’ comments came on the heels of Brunson’s struggles on both ends of the floor against Germany’s backcourt of Dennis Schröder (16 points, 10 assists) and Andreas Obst (12 points, 2 assists).

Haliburton closed the game with Brunson on the bench as the Pacers’ All-Star sparked Team USA’s comeback from a 16-point deficit with 11 of his 16 points in a furious run toward the end of the third quarter.

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With that, we’re handing out grades for the Eastern Conference and in large part, it was not a great month-and-a-half for this bunch.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Big-Time Teams Ace Western Conference Grades

Atlanta Hawks

Grade: C-

The Hawks are trying to pull off a difficult trick here, shedding veteran salaries, retooling around younger players and, at the same time, remaining competitive. The problem is, it is nearly impossible to do all three well. Atlanta traded John Collins for nearly nothing and could wind up doing much the same for Clint Capela. A core built around Trae Young, Dejounte Murray, Saddiq Bey, De’Andre Hunter, A.J. Griffin and Onyeka Okungwu is decent enough but not exactly contender-level.

Boston Celtics

Grade: B

It was not an easy summer for the Celtics, and team prez Brad Stevens had to make some tough choices. But he came into the offseason with a roster too heavy on guards and packed with too many questions up front, with the age of Al Horford, the health of Robert Williams and the fit of Grant Williams all trending the wrong way in the past year. The team zeroed in on a handful of centers, and was able to come away with Kristaps Porzingis, another injury risk but with immense upside if they can keep him on the court. The cost was steep: heart-and-soul guard Marcus Smart, who wound up in Memphis after a potential deal for Malcolm Brogdon fell through. But the roster makes more sense on paper now. The other major decision, giving Jaylen Brown a record $300 million contract extension, certainly is expensive but, hey, Brown is a Top 20 player and it’s not your money.

Brooklyn Nets

Grade: C

Would have been nice to see the Nets go and get the star scorer they seem to need for a roster that could be imposing on the defensive end if Ben Simmons (rinse and repeat) is healthy and engaged—Simmons, Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Dorian Finney-Smith and Nic Claxton are big and versatile. Boosting the offense could fall to new guy Lonnie Walker, who had some flashes as a bucket-getter with the Lakers, but is not likely to be a marquee scorer.

Charlotte Hornets

Grade: F

The Hornets will get a new owner soon, and that might be the best thing there is to say about this summer. They have not extended either of their big free agents, Miles Bridges (who signed a qualifying offer) or P.J. Washington (restricted), and they might have blown it by selecting Brandon Miller with the No. 2 overall pick.

Bulls Still Unwilling to Spend

Chicago Bulls

Grade: C-

The Bulls made some nice roster-building additions with point guard Jevon Carter, who could be the starter, and forward Torrey Craig. Add the bargain deal they gave to Ayo Dosunmu, and that covers the summer positives. They’re still looking at an aging and mismatched core that failed to make the playoffs last year. The Bulls re-signed 32-year-old Nikola Vucevic because it would have been embarrassing not to, and are now built around him, 34-year-old DeMar DeRozan and an increasingly unsatisfied Zach LaVine. Chicago refuses to go over the luxury tax threshold to make significant additions, which is a joke in a market of that size and with the level of support the team gets from its fan base.

Cleveland Cavaliers

Grade: B-

The Cavs badly overpaid for the services of Max Strus, giving him four years and $62 million despite a meh season last year (11.5 points on 41.0% shooting and 35.0% 3-point shooting, which got worse, at 31.9% from the 3-point line, in the postseason). They overpaid (three years and $25.5 million) for Georges Niang, too, but the goal was clear: to add shooting to a team that was 19^th in 3-pointers made and 24^th in 3s attempted. Situation addressed, but not efficiently.

Detroit Pistons

Grade: C

Ausar Thompson, chosen with the No. 5 pick in the draft, could be all we remember about the Pistons’ summer of 2023. That would be OK, because despite significant cap space, the Pistons did little other than add Joe Harris and a couple of second-round picks. Not exciting there. The Pistons are clogged with young former lottery picks—Thompson, Jaden Ivey, Killian Hayes, James Wiseman, Marvin Bagley, Jalen Duren—but it will be up to 2021 No. 1 pick Cade Cunningham to sort it all out after returning from shin surgery.

Indiana Pacers

Grade: A

Did they overpay for Bruce Brown? Two years and $45 million indicates they did, except that the Pacers have an option on next season, allowing them an out if Brown is a flop. They locked up Tyrese Halliburton to a new contract, plucked Obi Toppin from the Knicks for a couple of future second-rounders and nabbed a pair of promising rookies—Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard—in the draft. Well played.

Heat Playing the Lillard Waiting Game

Miami Heat

Grade: B+

The Heat resisted the urge to overpay free agents Gabe Vincent and Max Strus after helping to build them into valuable NBA players. They dumped the contract of Victor Oladipo, wriggling out of that failed experiment. They brought back Kevin Love, added center Thomas Bryant and went into the bargain bin for old friend Josh Richardson, paying the trio a combined $10 million. They got plug-and-play rookie Jaime Jaquez in the draft and are primed to develop Orlando Robinson and Haywood Highsmith into their next undrafted finds. Oh, and they could put an exclamation point on all this by bringing in Damian Lillard via trade.

Milwaukee Bucks

Grade: A-

Mike Budenholzer is out and Adrian Griffin, who has for so long deserved a shot to be a head coach, is in. It is a gamble, but kudos to the Bucks for having the guts to take that chance. Adding Malik Beasley is an unheralded move, and Andre Jackson could prove to be a rookie who has some impact.

New York Knicks

Grade: D+

Donte DiVincenzo is a decent pickup but does he address any of the Knicks’ needs? The team was already overloaded in the backcourt and now must sort out how it will get minutes for all these guys—and how much they will need to be paid. The Knicks should have been looking for big, versatile combo forwards who can defend, like Grant Williams or Dillon Brooks. Instead, they got another combo guard to add to their collection. The team also held onto Obi Toppin so long that he was worthless when they finally traded him to the Pacers, getting back only two future second-rounders for the guy the Knicks picked at No. 8, ahead of Tyrese Halliburton, in 2020.

Orlando Magic

Grade: B

The Magic were rumored to be ripe for some splashy moves in free agency, but instead opted to keep things safe—they added Joe Ingles and bolstered the backcourt with Anthony Black and Jett Howard in the draft. There will be cap space again next summer and, at some point, the Magic will need to make a move toward getting back to the playoffs.

Philadelphia Sixers

Grade: D

Maybe things turn around once we get some clarity on James Harden’s future, but for now this offseason has been a disaster for the Sixers. Pat Beverley and Mo Bamba are nice additions, while Georges Niang, Jalen McDaniels and Shake Milton are tough but not terrible losses. Doc Rivers did well as the team’s coach and it is unlikely that Nick Nurse will be able to make much more sense out of things than Rivers did, especially when it comes to the Sixers’ playoff flops—which should land in the lap of star Joel Embiid as much as anyone. If the Sixers have to bring back an unhappy Harden to a team that already feels a bit tired, things could get ugly.

Toronto Raptors

Grade: D

So the Raptors are … building? Rebuilding? In transition? Settled? Masai Ujiri is often credited for playing things close to the vest, but he seems to be playing things so close to the vest that even he can’t see the cards. Toronto has assets—Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby, plus Gary Trent—but appears unsure whether it wants to bolster those guys or tear down and start over. One thing for sure: Losing Fred VanVleet and replacing him with Dennis Schroder was not in Toronto’s plans.

Washington Wizards

Grade: C+

It’s a good thing the Clippers could not get a look at Malcolm Brogdon when the trade for Kristaps Porzingis with the Celtics was going down. If they had, the Wizards would have gotten precious little in the trade. But shifting to a three-teamer with Memphis brought in Tyus Jones, who has excelled when given a chance to start. The Wizards also shipped out Bradley Beal and Chris Paul in the same summer, a remarkable feat that brought back Jordan Poole and youngsters Ryan Rollins and Pat Baldwin Jr. They overpaid to keep Kyle Kuzma (four years, $90 million), but he figures to be trade bait down the line. The grade might have been better but there are some serious questions about the decision to take Bilal Coulibaly with the No. 8 pick in the draft.

ALSO CHECK OUT: Big-Time Teams Ace Western Conference Grades

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In the days since the transaction, fans and media pundits alike have shared their displeasure with the move. Toppin, however, remained upbeat about the transaction.

When asked during his July 9 introductory press conference with the Pacers “how frustrating” the end of his Knicks tenure was, Toppin, who played for the Knicks for three years, refrained from negativity.

“I mean, I’m not going to say it was super frustrating. … Things happen for a reason,” he said. “I’m just super excited living in the moment. Glad to be here in Indy and can’t wait to get started.”

Toppin now heads to a Pacers team to join forces with star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who was tabbed in 2020 as an ideal draft target for the Knicks before they passed on him to select Toppin with the eighth overall pick.

Per SNY’s Ian Begley, Indiana is excited to see what this tandem can now accomplish together.

Obi Toppin Admits to Being Unhappy With Knicks Role

Toppin was unhappy with his role on the Knicks, according to multiple reports. In his introductory press conference he acknowledged some dissatisfaction regarding his tenure in coach Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.

“I didn’t get the minutes I wanted,” Toppin said before deflecting to talking about the future. “But now it’s a new start. I’m here in Indy.”

Despite his being viewed as a potential franchise cornerstone, Toppin played only 14.7 minutes game in New York, scoring just 7.0 points and grabbing 3.0 rebounds. 

His disapproval of his role reached a boiling point on May 8, after the Knicks’ loss to the Miami Heat in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Toppin and Thibodeau got into a locker room verbal altercation, which ultimately was extinguished when players and coaches intervened, according to a June 21 report by The Athletic’s Fred Katz.

Veteran Big Tabbed as Potential Obi Toppin Replacement

With the departure of Toppin, the Knicks now find themselves with a vacancy at the power forward position behind All-Star Julius Randle. Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley predicted the front office would shift its attention toward free agent big JaMychal Green as a potential free agency target to serve as the 25-year-old’s replacement.

“New York doesn’t need a major-minutes option behind Julius Randle, since — as Toppin could attest — there isn’t much floor time to be found behind the All-NBA forward. JaMychal Green would handle 15-ish minutes per night just fine.

“The 33-year-old is a quick thinker on offense, a capable switcher on defense and, typically, an above-average shooter from distance. If his shooting holds up — he’s hit 37-plus percent from range in four of the past five seasons — he could add a stretch element to this frontcourt’s attack,” Buckley wrote.

A steady frontcourt presence who can both defend and space the floor, the nine-year veteran is coming off a 2022-23 campaign where he posted averages of 6.4 points and 3.6 rebounds through 57 games with the Golden State Warriors all while shooting a highly efficient 54.0% from the floor and 37.8% from deep on 6.6 attempts per 100 possessions.

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“I didn’t get the minutes I wanted. But now it’s a new start. I’m here in Indy,” Toppin said via New York Post’s Zach Braziller in his first interview since the Knicks traded him to the Pacers for a pair of late second-round picks.

Toppin, the eighth overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, did not get the opportunity attached to being a lottery selection.

Projected to be the Knicks’ long-term answer at power forward, it never materialized as Julius Randle stunningly blossomed into a two-time All-Star and All-NBA player.

Toppin was limited to just 14.7 minutes off the bench in his first three seasons in the league behind Randle.

“All I can do is just do whatever the coach is asking me to do. Whether that’s being out on the floor, having great energy, doing whatever I need to do to help the team win,” Toppin said.

Randle’s durability only led to Toppin starting in just 15 games across three seasons. But whenever he got that opportunity, the 6-9 Toppin showed out, averaging 20.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists.

A verbal altercation with coach Tom Thibodeau during a Knicks loss in the playoffs proved to be the last straw for the disgruntled forward. But he chose not to speak about it.

“I’m not going to lie. I ain’t really see anything. I ain’t on social media like that. All I’m really focused on is having the opportunity to come out here, meet the new guys, meet the staff and get this fresh start and win some games,” Toppin said via Newsday’s Steve Popper.

The former Collegiate Player of the Year took the high road and spoke glowingly of his time in New York despite the sporadic playing time.

“I had a great time with the Knicks. Obviously, it’s been a dream to have the opportunity to play at MSG and obviously put that Knicks jersey on. There were great players there, great coaches, and everybody was amazing there,” Toppin said via SNY.

Ex-Warrior Viewed as Obi Toppin’s Potential Replacement

Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley views free agent big JaMychal Green, who last played for Golden State, as a potential replacement for Toppin in New York.

“New York doesn’t need a major-minutes option behind Julius Randle, since—as Toppin could attest—there isn’t much floor time to be found behind the All-NBA forward. JaMychal Green would handle 15-ish minutes per night just fine.

“The 33-year-old is a quick thinker on offense, a capable switcher on defense and, typically, an above-average shooter from distance. If his shooting holds up—he’s hit 37-plus percent from range in four of the past five seasons—he could add a stretch element to this frontcourt’s attack,” Buckley wrote.

Zion Williamson Available?

Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported on Friday night broadcast of the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas that the New Orleans Pelicans star could be made available for the “right package.”

“Over the last 3, 4 months talking to league executives around the league, it was made clear that Zion could be made available for the right situation and the right package,” Haynes said. “Not saying he was clearly available, but Zion can be had.”

Williamson has been forever linked to the Knicks since his NBA debut at Madison Square Garden.

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While the Suns have amassed serious star power, with Kevin Durant and Devin Booker now teamed with Beal in a trio capable of averaging more than 75 points per game on their own, the question that lingers around the team is an obvious one: What now?

The Suns have those three stars under contract, and will pay them a combined $130 million next year, $152 million in 2024-25, and $162 million in 2025-26. Cameron Payne is under a partial guarantee for next season, but figures to be back.

Other than those four, the Suns have one contract on hand: The one belonging to Deandre Ayton, the No. 1 pick in 2018 who still has three years and $102 million on his deal. While trade interest in Ayton around the league has been tepid, sources say that is mostly because he is not yet among other teams’ top priorities, a situation that is expected to change after the NBA draft and perhaps after the first wave of free agency.

“There are teams that will come calling for him,” one NBA GM said. “The Suns know that. He is on the backburner but they’re ready to move him as soon as the right thing comes along. And at this point, if they can get a couple of really solid role players, that will be the right thing for them. That might not happen until we get into Summer League, though.”

Suns Need to Land Role Players With Ayton Trade

Given the limitations of the NBA’s collective-bargaining agreement, the Suns will have scant opportunities to add quality role players to their core. That’s where trading Ayton has now become a necessity, one that could bring the Suns a measure of salary relief as well as a more varied roster.

The Bulls and Mavericks have both been included as potential destinations for Ayton, though each of those teams has other priorities. The same can be said for the Hornets, who were tabbed as a darkhorse by league execs in the chase for Ayton. The Hornets’ most pressing issue is perhaps trading away the No. 2 pick in the draft, which could net a star caliber wing (Brandon Ingram of the Pelicans has been mentioned).

It would not be until after the situation with the second pick is cleared up that Charlotte will move forward with a decision on Ayton or any other big man. The Hornets have a number of trade chips, including the expiring contract of Gordon Hayward, and perhaps one of their two promising young big men, Nick Richards or Mark Williams. Guard Terry Rozier could be available, too.

The Pacers and Trail Blazers have also had interest in Ayton, but again, he is not the priority for either team.

Indiana could be the most amenable to making a trade for Ayton quickly, with veteran center Myles Turner the chief return piece (along with some combination of shooter Buddy Hield, big man Daniel Theis or point guard T.J. McConnell).

When Ayton was a restricted free agent last summer, it was the Pacers who finally gave him a four-year, $132 million contract that the Suns matched.

Patience May Be Required on an Ayton Trade

If the Suns can’t find the right package for Ayton in the next few days, the team remains confident it will find a new home for him, and that the roster will feature at least two role players added in an Ayton deal. Ayton, remember, is only 24, and turns 25 next month.

The Phoenix trade for Beal all but guaranteed Ayton’s exit.

“They need some guys who can do things besides score, and let’s face it, Ayton does a few things pretty well but scoring is the top thing,” one Western Conference executive said. “So if Phoenix brought him back, he is the No. 4 option, he is getting maybe 10, 11 shots a game. That’s not happening. There is a good chance you will see Indiana circle back and see if they can get him now, and not give up too much to make it happen. Ayton and (Tyrese) Halliburton? That would be a really nice combo.”

But even if that doesn’t shake out, something will.

“They (the Suns) are confident they can get something done,” the exec said. “Not everybody is going to get just what they want in the next two weeks in the draft and trades and free agency, and if Deandre is not already gone, he is going to look very good to a team like Portland or Charlotte or Dallas.”

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When they woke up on the morning of January 9, they were five games above .500 and holding down sixth place in the Eastern Conference. Then injuries and inexperience began to take over, and while Indiana was still in the race for the play-in tournament as recently as a couple of weeks ago, losses in five of its last six games, and seven of its last nine, clinched the Pacers’ ticket to the lottery.

And while they still have the Knicks (twice) and Detroit on the schedule, the Pacers’ next big game will be June 22nd in Brooklyn at the NBA draft. There, despite being just one of 30 teams (that’s 3.33%) of the league’s teams, they will control 10% of the first-round draft picks. Their own selection could be especially valuable because, depending on how they close out the season and on potential coin flips, the Pacers have as much as a 10.5% chance at the 2023 No. 1 overall pick, with French star Victor Wembanyama on tap.

Indiana also owns first-rounders from Boston (Malcolm Brogdon deal last summer) and Cleveland (Caris LeVert trade at the 2022 deadline).

Part of the latter transaction already paid off in the form of 2022 second-rounder Andrew Nembhard, who, along with first-round pick Ben Mathurin, has given Indy a formidable rookie class.

Pacers Looking to ‘Draft Great’

It can be hard to get to the top from the NBA middle, with one general manager telling Heavy Sports, “You have to be really good and a whole lot of lucky to get from there to the top. If you’re not picking in the top few, you have to hope someone slips. You have to hope you get a Paul Pierce at 10 or a Giannis at 15 — that still kills me.”

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle knows the summit can be hard to reach, but with a number of clubs in a similar situation, it might not be the Everest challenge it used to seem.

“If you look at the standings this year, this is the most parity we’ve seen in probably a number of decades,” Carlisle told Heavy. “So you’ve got to try to create as many situations as you can to get small edges. You’ve got to draft great. You know, our management team drafted Nembhard in the second round, and the guy’s a hell of a player. We’ve got to hit on more guys like that, and we’ve got to do the right things when we have those opportunities.”

Defense Still Lacking for Pacers

It’s no secret where the Pacers need the most improvement. As of Monday, they’re 11th in the NBA in points per game and 28th in points allowed — which is not surprising when you have young players still trying to find their way, as eight of the Pacers’ Top 10 in minute played are 24 years old or younger, including 23-year-old All-Star Tyrese Halliburton. Attention to defense and comfort in a defensive scheme usually lags among young players.

“Big picture, we’re developing young players and trying to win, which are two of the hardest things to combine,” said Carlisle. “But we’ve had some success with it, and we’re not going to skip any steps.

“Overall, it’s fun. It’s a fun group. They’re young and they go hard. We’re trying to preach the right things. That’s kind of it.”

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Throughout the game, it was clear that Derrick White was one of the best players on the floor – something that Celtics fans have become used to in recent months. When speaking during his post-game press conference, Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton spoke of the improvements he’s seen in White’s game.

“He’s grown a lot here,” Haliburton said. “He’s gotten a lot better. Early in my career playing (against) him in San Antonio, like offense is more open for more space to attack. He’s doing a good job within the free-throw line. Just a complimentary piece for those guys, for sure.”

White was clearly Boston’s third-best player throughout the game against Indiana, amassing 22 points, 9 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block while shooting 41.2% from the field and 55.6% from three-point range.

Jayson Tatum Praises Derrick White’s Performance

Shortly after Boston’s latest win, Jayson Tatum addressed the media, where he answered a question regarding White’s performance, which led the All-Star wing to note how White is the ‘ultimate teammate.’

“Yeah, you know, D White is like the ultimate teammate,” Tatum said. “And he’s a hell of a basketball player…Can create, can pass, can shoot. And, you know, can be too unselfish sometimes. So just, you know, encouraging him to be aggressive, to be himself, just makes us a much better team.”

Tatum led the charge for the Celtics’ offense against the Pacers, finishing the game with 34 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals while shooting 54.2% from the field and 33.3% from deep in what was an encouraging performance at this late point in the season.

Jayson Tatum & Jaylen Brown Deserve Credit

According to Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, White’s growth this season is at least in part down to the additional spacing he’s afforded due to the presence of both Tatum and Jaylen Brown. In fairness, Mazzulla did note that Marcus Smart has also been the beneficiary of that spacing too, along with the majority of Boston’s secondary and tertiary offensive weapons.

“I think it goes to Jaylen and Jayson,” Mazzulla said. “When those two guys are finding the (Marcus) Smart‘s, the Derrick’s, the Al’s, for catch and shoot opportunities. It allows for them to be comfortable. And so I think it’s just a team-connected dynamic of we’re very cautious of our spacing and we’re very cautious of playing the right way. And I think everybody reaps the benefits from that, you know, like Smart’s only took three shots today, but his potential assists and what he did to get us in early offense is not on the stat sheet. And you know, when Derrick is that aggressive because of those things, we’re a different team.”

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It was a game to forget for the Chicago Bulls in their 125-122 loss to the Indiana Pacers on March 5 giving the latter the advantage in any Play-In Tournament tie-breaker scenarios. And, in the aftermath, one Bulls player got a little salt in the wound.

The game was won on Pacers’ star Tyrese Haliburton’s three-pointer with 2.7 seconds to go and sent the Bulls to an 11-22 record in the clutch – defined as games within five points in the final five minutes. The shot itself let Haliburton settle some unfinished business with Bulls guard Patrick Beverley.

Beverley, still a member of the Los Angeles Lakers at the time, had words in response to an interview Haliburton did with JJ Redick on “The Old Man and The Three” in which the former Iowa State standout recounted Beverley’s trash talk from an even earlier meeting when the outspoken Bulls guard was with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“We played the Timberwolves last year – one of my first games here with Indy,” Haliburton said on November 11. “I think I had 25 [points] and 15 [assists]. I had a good game, right? And [Anthony Edwards] guarded me. But after the game, Pat Bev is barking because they won. And I’m like, ‘what?’ And – he guarded Buddy [Hield]. Buddy got like four points. Pat Bev did a good job, whatever. He looked at me dead in my eyes as I walked off the court and was like, ‘You lucky I wasn’t guarding you tonight. I would’ve locked that s*** up. I’m like, ‘what? …We went four quarters you could have switched to the second quarter, the third quarter, the fourth. That one hung with me all the way when I was driving home. I was like, ‘What is he talking about?’ That was one that stuck with me. I was confused.”

The Timberwolves won that game on February 13 of last season 129-120 and Haliburton had missed their meeting with the Kings one day before the trade deadline.

At any rate, Haliburton’s take on the encounter did not sit well with Beverley who used his postgame comments from a meeting nearly one year later as content on his self-titled ‘Pat Bev Podcast with Rone’ on February 7.

The Lakers got the win over the Pacers 112-111 with Beverley credited for holding Haliburton to zero points on 0-for-3 shooting on the night, per NBA.com matchup data.

Flash forward to Sunday and it was Haliburton who got the last laugh several times over first keeping the Pacers within striking distance early on with 16 points in the first quarter including going a perfect 4-for-4 from downtown.

He was held scoreless in the second quarter and had just seven points on 3-for-5 shooting in the third.

Haliburton took just four shots in the fourth, hitting both from deep including the game-winner.

“He shot the ball and it went in,” Beverley said postgame in a video posted to Twitter by Darnell Mayberry of The Athletic. “Good shot.”

Haliburton was 3-for-3 from the floor for nine points when Beverley guarded him including 2-for-2 from deep.

Tyrese Haliburton’s Development Calls Bulls’ Plan Into Question

“Development is a tricky word,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said before the game, per Mayberry. “Because a lot of people think development means just putting young players out there and letting them play, letting them play through mistakes and letting them just play. And if you do that without establishing accountability for unselfishness, the defensive end, the little things that are important to building championship habits, then you’re not developing. You’re just putting guys out there and letting them get stats. And that can be very dangerous.”

Haliburton has a tweet from his rookie season pinned to his profile. In it, he laughs off the predraft questions about his funky-looking jumper.

The 6-foot-5 lead guard has never shot below the 40.5% from deep that he is shooting this season in which he earned his first All-Star nomination.

Chicago drafted Patrick Williams fourth overall that year and his development has been far slower than Haliburton’s, though there have been tempered flashes. It is also not as though the Bulls were the only team to overlook the talented passer.

They are in a unique situation, however, with Lonzo Ball’s future still clouded.

Bulls Trending Further Into Despair

Beverley pointed to the Pacers’ 13 offensive rebounds for the loss, the Bulls’ second in a row and third in the last four tries. The Bulls are now 12th in the Eastern Conference 1.5 games outside of the Play-In Tournament with just 17 more games to go.

To Beverley’s point, they are third in the NBA this season in defensive rebound percentage on the season but have cratered checking in at 30th over their last five games.

That is just the tip of the iceberg, explains K.C. Johnson of NBC Sports Chicago.

“The Bulls currently own an offensive rating ranked 24th, dragged down considerably their cellar-dwelling 3-point makes and attempts.

“The Bulls’ defensive rating currently sits seventh, while their net rating of plus-0.3 ranks 16th. That net rating actually is better than three teams—Miami, Atlanta and Washington—currently holding play-in spots.”

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The Nets have been linked to plenty of players. Kyle Kuzma, Myles Turner, Jakob Poeltl, Bojan Bogdanovic, John Collins and more. However, an Eastern Conference executive recently spoke with Heavy Sports NBA insider Sean Deveney and seemingly ruled out the possibility of one of these players winding up in Brooklyn. 

Myles Turner Ruled Out of Nets Trade

Indiana Pacers big man Myles Turner has been in trade rumors for years and has been linked to the Nets multiple times in that time frame, including this August in a deal involving Joe Harris and Day’Ron Sharpe. However, nothing of note has progressed on the Turner to Brooklyn front. When Deveney asked an Eastern Conference executive about the potential of Turner coming to Brooklyn, the executive hinted that Turner isn’t what the Nets are looking for. 

“The Nets are definitely looking for a deal, but they want to bring in a star who can play alongside what they have. They’d be in the market for a power-forward type, maybe a rebounder, and Turner is pretty strictly a center and not a great rebounder. They have loved what they’ve gotten from Nic Claxton this year at center. If he can stay healthy, and they have KD (Durant) playing the 4, plus now getting T.J. Warren off the bench, he can play the 4. So Turner is not as much on the radar. The other thing is, the Nets do not have picks to deal, and the Pacers want picks for Turner if they decide to move him at all,” the executive told Heavy Sports. 

Turner is in the midst of a career year in Indiana and averaging an impressive 17.0 points and 7.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game for the Pacers. While he is not known for his rebounding, he is doing so at a career rate this season. While the executive says Turner isn’t on the Nets’ radar, should he be? His shooting ability allows them to space the floor. He could slide in next to Durant, Simmons, or Claxton nicely. He brings another shot-blocking presence next to Simmons. 

Nets Have Rebounding Problem

The Nets are 29th in the NBA in team rebounding. It has been a weakness of theirs all season long. Addressing their presence on the boards is a priority as the deadline approaches, and Turner could potentially help that if he could maintain his nearly 8 boards per game in a Nets uniform if he were traded to Brooklyn. 

Recently, the Nets were also linked to Hornets power forward P.J. Washington, who averages half of what Turner does with 4.6 per game while averaging more minutes per game. If Brooklyn is looking for rebounding, putting Turner back on their radar could be a good move in this win-now season. 

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