The injury bug bit the Indiana Pacers throughout this 2020-21 season. Losing T.J. Warren early didn't do them any favors, Caris LeVert missed time after his trade from the Brooklyn Nets due to kidney cancer, and Myles Turner was unable to partake in the play-in tournament. There were plenty of other injuries as well.
The Pacers might be in for a busy offseason, as head coach Nate Bjorkgren is on the hot seat after causing turmoil in the locker room. Indiana needs a breath of fresh air after this roller-coaster ride of a season, so big changes could be on the way.
Even so, the Pacers have a pretty solid roster on paper. Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert make for a vicious backcourt, while Domontas Sabonis and Myles Turner make for a strong frontcourt. If T.J. Warren can get healthy and back to playing like he did in the NBA bubble, the Pacers have a starting five that can compete with most teams in the league.
Additionally, they have decent depth. Justin Holiday is a rotational player for the shooting guard and small forward positions, Aaron Holiday should receive more playing time next year, and Goga Bitadze is a young prospect with potential in the frontcourt. Oshae Brissett was also a nice find this season.
At the end of the day, this roster could use better depth at guard and in the frontcourt. Luckily for them, they have the pieces to make a couple of trades this offseason that could push the Pacers back into the playoffs next year. With that said, here are two trades the Pacers must make this offseason.
Trade Jeremy Lamb and a 2021 second-round pick for Lauri Markkanen
Jeremy Lamb is a solid bench wing when healthy, but he has had some issues staying on the court since joining Indiana. The Pacers have the Holiday brothers and Brissett on the wing, so they could use the expiring Lamb to get long-term frontcourt help.
Lauri Markkanen was rumored to be on the trade block before the deadline. Markkanen was never traded away, but he could be a hot commodity in the offseason as a restricted free agent. With Turner coming back in the lineup next season, Sabonis will serve as the starting power forward, unless one of them is dealt. Turner has been rumored in trades, but he's a Defensive Player of the Year candidate and still very good.
The Pacers aren't slated to have cap space this offseason, so they could use Lamb as a way to get Markkanen in a sign-and-trade deal. Conducting this trade would give Indiana youthful depth in the frontcourt and a player with untapped potential. For the Bulls, they would be acquiring a solid backup shooting guard to sub in for Zach LaVine and an expiring contract in case they're playing for 2022 cap space.
Sign-and-trade Doug McDermott and a 2022 second-round pick for Kendrick Nunn
Doug McDermott and Kendrick Nunn are both entering free agency, with McDermott an unrestricted free agent and Nunn a restricted free agent. It is possible the Pacers and Miami Heat work out a sign-and-trade deal in the offseason, with Indiana also sending Miami back its 2022 second-round pick.
McDermott just enjoyed a solid season with the Pacers, but Nunn is younger with more upside. Nunn would bring more dynamic offensive abilities to Indiana's bench and would help replace Lamb and also be insurance if T.J. McConnell goes elsewhere in free agency. For Miami, McDermott would be another sharpshooter around Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Dougie McBuckets could also be insurance for a potential Duncan Robinson departure, though the Heat would surely like to keep Robinson.
By conducting these trades, the Pacers would have themselves a competitive team. The starting lineup would stay the same with Brogdon, LeVert, Warren, Sabonis, and Turner leading the way. Meanwhile, the bench would bring more potential to the table while also helping in the present. These trades might seem minor, but they would have major implications on the Pacers' future.
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