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Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers have managed to steady the ship following a turbulent early season. Now, their focus at the trade deadline should be on solidifying their current campaign. One avenue the Pacers might explore is trading a player or two to offload salary if a willing buyer emerges. More consequential moves involving Bennnedict Mathurin or Jarace Walker are also on the table. Among these possibilities, one deal stands out as particularly enticing: trading Myles Turner for Cam Johnson. This scenario could shine as the dream solution for Indiana—a potential catalyst that could reshape the team’s dynamics and elevate them to genuine playoff contention and beyond.
A Season of Mixed Signals
The Pacers have begun to exhibit a measure of consistency after a rocky start to the season. Despite battling injuries, the recent trade for Thomas Bryant from the Miami Heat has provided a welcome boost. This infusion of new talent has helped stabilize the team, contributing to a more balanced and resilient performance on the court.
Still, the center position remains a major concern. Enter Myles Turner, who represents both a defensive cornerstone and a significant salary commitment. As the team edges closer to the luxury tax threshold, the question of whether the Pacers can continue to afford Turner rises to the fore. They also need to secure a capable backup and find ways to manage or reduce his financial burden in the offseason. Alternatively, they can trade Turner, of course.
Moreover, the development of Walker has raised additional strategic questions. Has his improvement made him a more valuable asset that the Pacers might want to hold onto, or does it increase his trade value in the current market?
Here we will discuss the player who's part of the Pacers' dream scenario for the 2025 NBA trade deadline.
The Trade That Could Reshape the Roster
The Pacers' offense has struggled to hit a consistent stride this season. To address this, the Pacers could greatly benefit from acquiring a premier floor-spacer like Cam Johnson. He stands out as the only forward in the NBA averaging more than three three-pointers per game while maintaining a shooting percentage north of 40 percent from downtown. His versatility makes him a natural fit in Indiana’s lineup—whether paired with Pascal Siakam in a larger lineup or shifting to power forward during a run-and-gun stretch.
Some might say that trading Turner would feel like a regression after the successful addition of Pascal Siakam last season. Instead, the Pacers should continue to push forward with their momentum, especially if a potential fit like Johnson is available to be snatched up. Indiana’s need to boost its three-point production makes Johnson, arguably the best shooter on the market, a tantalizing option. With other teams likely eyeing Johnson, the Pacers could leverage young assets such as Jarace Walker and Aaron Nesmith in the deal. We think, however, that the Pacers should put Turner on the table, too.
The Strategic Swap
Taking a step back to view the broader picture, the Pacers’ ideal trade scenario is fundamentally about reshaping the roster to meet the league’s evolving standards. Myles Turner has long been a defensive mainstay in the paint. However, his limitations on offense have become more pronounced as opposing teams exploit his inability to space the floor effectively. In contrast, Cam Johnson has built a reputation as an elite shooter with the ability to ignite scoring runs through his long-range proficiency. His game is perfectly tailored to a modern offensive system that emphasizes floor spacing and rapid ball movement.
This proposed swap isn’t just about changing players; it’s about reorienting the team’s overall strategy. As the Pacers strive to compete with the league’s top teams, adapting to the modern emphasis on speed and shooting becomes imperative. Johnson’s skill set not only fills a current gap in Indiana’s offense but also aligns with the long-term strategic vision of building a more fluid, fast-paced team. In doing so, the Pacers could establish themselves as a more formidable, multi-dimensional force in the league, capable of both locking down opponents on defense and exploding offensively when needed.
A Bold Vision
In a league where change is the only constant, the Pacers’ potential pivot—swapping Myles Turner for Cam Johnson—could be the catalyst that transforms not just their offense, but the entire team’s trajectory. This bold move, blending financial savvy with strategic foresight, embodies Indiana’s commitment to evolving with the modern game. As the trade deadline looms, fans and analysts alike are on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating whether the Pacers will seize this opportunity to redefine themselves as a fast, agile, and truly formidable force in the NBA.
