The Indiana Pacers are a unique team in the NBA. While other teams have changed many aspects of themselves over time, the Pacers have remained loyal. They remain a slow, defense-oriented team that beats opponents by grinding them out. Their style is recognizable and does not change depending on the roster. Furthermore, their basketball philosophy is always the same and it is a refreshing thing to see in an ever-changing league. After missing the playoffs last year, the Pacers want to get back to where they belong, and there are some trade candidates that might help them get there in the end.
The Pacers have a solid roster, certainly enough to make the postseason in a vacuum. However, injuries to key players will remain an issue. Caris LeVert is already ruled out for the start with a stress fracture in his back. Additionally, TJ Warren will also miss time, due to complications with his foot injury. It is clear that replacements in the short term for these two will need to happen if the Pacers want to play basketball past March.
Here are two trade candidates for the Pacers that might turn their fortunes around – Eric Gordon and Harrison Barnes.
Pacers trade candidates
Harrison Barnes
Barnes, in this situation, makes a ton of sense. While he is not the perfect player, he will be a great filler for the contribution Warren makes to this team. The Pacers need some stability and consistency because those two things usually fall off when there are significant injuries on the roster. He would bring both stability and consistency, thus he is the puzzle piece the Pacers need right now.
Barnes brings some very important intangibles, aside from his game on the court. He has a ton of experience, winning a ring and making two finals trips with the Warriors. The Pacers have a fairly young team, with Myles Turner, Domantas Sabonis, and LeVert primarily, and this kind of championship experience is needed.
On the court, however, Barnes is also very valuable to a team ready to fight for the playoffs. He is a lanky defender who can cover two positions and his defense was the reason why he was kept in the Warriors rotation in 2016, even when his shots were not falling. In terms of offense, he has remained a consistent offensive threat since moving from the Warriors to the Dallas Mavericks in 2016. The Pacers would need them for both his offensive game and his great defensive play.
Coming back to consistency and stability, holding the ship tight when there is internal turmoil is incredibly important. The Pacers are going through an array of injuries, a coaching change, and other internal tumblings. Of course, the coach is now Rick Carlisle, someone who has immense experience and is a very good coach. Still, any coaching change can be tumultuous. Barnes would hold the line with his veteran leadership and also provide a ton of good things on the court. Thus, the Pacers should be on the phone with the Kings right away.
Eric Gordon
Gordon is another player that would be there to ease the impact of LeVert and Warren injuries, but also remain a key part of the roster. The Pacers do not have many offensive threats from the bench and while their starting lineup is filled with great offensive players, they still need a gunner from the bench. With the Pacers, Gordon can start until LeVert is ready and then possibly even challenge for a Sixth Man of the Year award after the former Nets and Rockets player gets back.
Gordon, similar to Barnes, has a ton of experience. He has been in the league for 12 years, played for three teams, and played in a plethora of different roles. He was a starter next to James Harden in some great Rockets teams, but also a winner of the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2017. Additionally, he made the playoffs in five seasons of his career and played a big role in each series his teams played. That is the kind of experience the Pacers really need.
On the court, as mentioned, he would be the starting two-guard until LeVert can come back. Due to the injury history of LeVert, Gordon would have a ton of chances to start and play well for the Pacers. With his immense experience and the skill set he brings, it would not be odd to see LeVert as the sixth man, with Gordon starting.
Experience and success, two things that both Gordon and Barnes bring. While both of them did not have a ton of success in the last few years, their roles on great teams are enough reason to believe that they can help any young team in the league. Thus, the Pacers should be exploring all options to bring them to Indianapolis.
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