The Indiana Pacers had a rather impressive campaign despite getting swept by the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals. Having said that, the Pacers still need to improve their roster in order to take the team to the next level. Heading into the offseason, they could be active in the trade market to bolster their roster.
Tyrese Haliburton leads the way for this Pacers team as an elite playmaker and scorer. The 24-year-old was voted to an All-NBA team for the first time in his career this season. It was a well-deserved nod after he averaged 20.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, 10.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. He shot 47.7 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three.
Haliburton's control of the offense and pass-first play style has allowed his teammates to thrive.
One beneficiary is Pascal Siakam, who was acquired from the Toronto Raptors at the trade deadline. In the regular season, Siakam appeared in 41 games for the Pacers and averaged 21.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. Siakam saw an uptick in efficiency after the trade, going from a mere 31.7 percent from deep in Toronto to 38.6 percent in Indiana.
The 30-year-old forward was very effective, and re-signing him this offseason will be pivotal for the Pacers.
Myles Turner, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith were also key contributors to the starting unit. TJ McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, and Obi Toppin played well off the bench for Indiana. The Pacers also had Ben Sheppard and Isaiah Jackson, who played some key minutes despite being young players.
Indiana has one of the deepest rotations in basketball. The roster was so deep that Jarace Walker, the team's seventh overall pick in 2023, only appeared in 33 games.
Heading into the offseason, the Pacers have an opportunity to make a trade to solidify their roster as a contender in the Eastern Conference. With that in mind, here are three early Pacers trade targets in the 2024 NBA offseason.
Pacers acquire Mikal Bridges
While the Indiana Pacers made it to the Eastern Conference Finals, their roster has clear holes. Indiana had one of the best offenses in the NBA, but their defense is in need of improvement. An ideal target who would provide elite defense and great offensive production is Mikal Bridges.
The 27-year-old forward will be a target for many teams around the league if the Brooklyn Nets make him available. Bridges averaged 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and a steal per game in 2023-24. He shot 43.6 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from downtown.
Bridges' elite point-of-attack defense would give the Pacers someone to match up against the opposing team's best wing. In 2022, Bridges earned second place for the Defensive Player of the Year Award. He is also a solid scorer and could be a high-quality third option behind Haliburton and Siakam. Bridges is also on a reasonable contract, with two years remaining on his four-year $90 million deal.
Bridges would be a dream to land if the Pacers can outbid the other teams.
Pacers land Alex Caruso
Indiana needs to upgrade its defense, and Alex Caruso seamlessly fits the bill. Caruso averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.7 steals, and a block per game this season.
The 30-year-old guard shot 46.8 percent from the floor and 40.8 percent from behind the arc. He made his second straight All-Defensive Team after another great season, locking down the opposing team's guards and forwards.
Caruso would be an ideal fit in the backcourt alongside Haliburton. His defense and three-point shooting would fit exceptionally well alongside the All-Star point guard.
Nembhard has been impressive and should remain in the starting lineup next to Haliburton. However, Caruso should be in many lineups next to Haliburton due to their great fit.
Pacers add Matisse Thybulle
A defensive wing who would come at a cheaper price than Bridges and Caruso is Matisse Thybulle.
Thybulle, 27, appeared in 65 games for the Portland Trail Blazers, averaging 5.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He shot 39.7 percent from the field and 34.6 percent from distance.
Thybulle is a great defender with two years remaining on his deal and will earn $11 million annually with a player option for the final year.
He is on a very tradeable contract, making him an acquirable asset for the Pacers. Thybulle's defense would fill a much-needed hole for Indiana and pair well alongside their offensive talent.
The Pacers had a promising season, making it to the Conference Finals. To surround Haliburton, Siakam, Turner, and Nembhard with more talent, Bridges, Caruso, and Thybulle should be targets for the Pacers.
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