Reports have continually stated that the Indiana Pacers are amenable to trading Jeremy Lamb, who has been hamstrung by injuries of late. The wing is entering the final season of a three-year, $32 million deal and has an uncertain role in new head coach Rick Carlisle's rotation.
With Lamb out of the starting five and the team selecting Oregon wing Chris Duarte with the 13th pick in last month's NBA Draft, it's difficult to identify what the 29-year-old's role is if he remains in Indiana. With that said, Lamb is a capable NBA starter in his prime. He can score off the dribble, sticks jump shots from distance and is an overall respectable scorer.
Last season Lamb averaged 10.1 points per game while shooting a career-best 40.6 percent from beyond the arc. At the end of the day, he could likely be had for cheap given his aforementioned standing with the Pacers. Here are three ideal trade destinations for Jeremy Lamb.
Jeremy Lamb landing spots:
3) Los Angeles Clippers
Trade proposal
Clippers receive: Jeremy Lamb
Pacers receive: Justise Winslow and Clippers' 2024 second-round draft pick
In all likelihood, the Clippers will enter the 2021-22 NBA season and play out the bulk of the regular season without Kawhi Leonard. They can't have enough scoring ammunition in Leonard's absence, and Lamb would be another player who can chime in offensively.
Lamb would be an offensive spark plug off the bench, serving as part of a dynamite second unit alongside some combination of Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Terance Mann, Nicolas Batum and rookie Keon Johnson. Head coach Tyronn Lue would have people who can score off the dribble and out on the perimeter in both his first and second unit.
As for what they surrender, the future second-rounder is of minimal worth to the Clippers given their contention status in the Western Conference. Winslow, who was signed this offseason, has a deep-rooted track record of injuries and likely won't have an onerous role on the Clippers anyway. Regarding Indiana, they can see what Winslow has to offer while adding a future pick.
What may halt the Clippers' pursuit of a would-be midseason move for Lamb is the listed depth they have out on the perimeter. Lamb would further weaponize their rotation but the necessary depth to hold down the fort in Leonard's absence may already be present.
2) Memphis Grizzlies
Trade proposal
Grizzlies receive: Jeremy Lamb
Pacers receive: Tyus Jones and Grizzlies' 2027 second-round draft pick
It's go time for the Grizzlies. Given their young nucleus and roster as a whole, as well as injuries and health concerns with their conference counterparts, the Grizzlies have the chance to climb the ladder in the West next season. Acquiring Lamb would be adding another asset to head coach Taylor Jenkins' rotation.
Memphis has a considerable amount of depth out on the wing with the likes of Dillon Brooks, Kyle Anderson, De'Anthony Melton, Desmond Bane and Ziaire Williams present. That said, Lamb is a proven commodity, whereas some of their current players while talented are still a bit raw. Lamb adds complementary scoring and a player who takes some of the workload off the second unit.
Jones is a reputable player and has found success backing up Ja Morant at point guard, but Melton and/or Bane can handle some of the ball-handling duties off the bench. Lamb is a low-risk, one-year gamble for the Grizzlies, who were a middle-of-the-pack offensive team last season. Meanwhile, Jones would fill out the Pacers' point guard rotation, which took a hit with the team moving Aaron Holiday.
Lamb gives the Grizzlies more offense. At the end of the day, though, Memphis masthead may very well opt to keep Jones with the mindset that his presence is better for the sake of rotation balance.
1) New Orleans Pelicans
Trade proposal
Pelicans receive: Jeremy Lamb
Pacers receive: Garrett Temple and Pelicans' 2022 second-round draft pick
The Pelicans have been all over the place over the last two years. At the moment, they're basically stuck trying to put a wide range of skill sets around Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram and making it work. Acquiring Lamb would be continuing to do as such.
Lamb would join a presumptive second unit that includes Kira Lewis Jr., Tomas Satoransky, Nickeil Alexander-Walker/Josh Hart and Jaxson Hayes. Sure, that lineup is a bit small, but it's also fast. If some of the Pelicans' youngsters come out of the gate slow, Lamb can slide into the starting rotation as the season progresses.
Temple has a murky role in New Orleans and could become a backup wing in the Pacers' rotation. The Pelicans' 2022 second-rounder could also be a reasonable selection for the Pacers if the former misses the playoffs next season. New Orleans has a bevy of draft picks in the coming years to the point where they can make a trade like this.
There's a lot of youth on this team including players the Pelicans likely want on the court, rookie forward Trey Murphy III being one of them. At the same time, first-time head coach Willie Green needs proven players that he can rely on. Lamb fits the bill and is still relatively young.
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