The Indiana Pacers are continuing to rebuild with their eyes on the future during 2022 NBA free agency. They have made plenty of smart moves but still have a few more to make.
After trading Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics and re-signing Jalen Smith, Indiana is starting its slow rebuild around young players like Tyrese Haliburton. Moving Brogdon netted Indiana Aaron Nesmith, a protected 2023 first-round pick and Daniel Theis (who will likely be traded away again soon), among other assets.
The Pacers have leaned hard into a rebuild around its young players but can lean into it harder. It's the best thing for their franchise to trade its best veterans and obtain more picks and/or young players. There are three key moves they should look to make.
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3 moves Pacers still must make after first weekend of 2022 NBA free agency
3. Sign Kessler Edwards
While the Pacers' offense has some promising, young pieces to work with, their defense could use some more help. Kessler Edwards is one of the best names on the markets for rebuilding teams.
Way late, but just finished Nets-Bulls from last week and loved Kessler Edwards' defense for the most part.
Plays with active hands, lively feet and quick hips, and moves incredibly well at 6-foot-7: pic.twitter.com/xK0FiGExSc
— Jackson Frank (@jackfrank_jjf) January 18, 2022
Edwards was let go by the Brooklyn Nets despite making his way into their rotation in his rookie season. He averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds while shooting 35.3 percent from 3 in 20.6 minutes per game. His defense is versatile and energetic, which should heavily overcome any offensive shortcomings he has.
The 21-year-old Edwards could emerge as a starter in Indiana's lineup. He has the skills to be an ideal 3-and-D player for a long time.
2. Trade Buddy Hield
The Pacers acquired Buddy Hield alongside Haliburton in the middle of the season. Now is the time to trade him away, as the 29-year-old will not have a key role in Indiana's future.
Hield's shooting would certainly be helpful next to Haliburton but Indiana already has Chris Duarte and Bennedict Mathurin, two shooting/scoring wings to play next to him. Since the Pacers have multiple young players at Hield's position — both of which were drafted in the first round — they should reroute him to another team.
With a contract just north of $20 million, the trade options for Hield shouldn't be too hard to come by. Plenty of competitive teams could use his superb shooting abilities.
1. Trade Myles Turner, preferably for Deandre Ayton
The Myles Turner trade is the big move that the Pacers still have to make. Waiting until the regular season to make the move will decrease his value. They should begin to gauge interest in him again and look to obtain Deandre Ayton in the process.
Ayton is still available. Every day he continues to be on the market is another sign that his time with the Phoenix Suns will soon be over. The 23-year-old's interior scoring and rebounding would make him a great addition for the Pacers as they look to rebuild.
Offering Turner to the Suns could help them direct Ayton their way. Indiana has the cap space to give Ayton the sizable contract he didn't get from the Suns. Phoenix, however, could match the deal that Ayton gets because he is a restricted free agent. Offering Turner in exchange would make it easier for them to part ways with Ayton.
Even if the Pacers aren't able to swap centers with the Suns, they should trade Turner. Plenty of teams will have interest in him and he should be the best center on the trade market (aside from Ayton, potentially) now that Rudy Gobert has been dealt away.
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