Why the Pacers Should Do It
A note on the offer to Indiana: If the Pacers are going to trade Victor Oladipo to the highest bidder, they’d likely get a better package than the Mavericks can offer.
Dallas doesn’t have a lottery pick this year, and shouldn’t have one next year, either. This year’s first round pick is No. 18 overall.
But keep in mind, Indiana is currently without a first round pick in November’s draft. This trade would give them one this year, and two next year, including their own in 2021.
Dallas would have options to match Oladipo’s salary, depending on Indiana’s asking price. Perhaps Curry is dealt instead of Hardaway Jr., or maybe a third team enters the picture to smooth things out.
Hardaway Jr. can give the Pacers around 30 minutes per night, averaging 15 points with a 55% eFG%.
Jackson entered the league as a 22-year-old with Sacramento, and now resides in Dallas. The 15th overall pick in 2017 could benefit from regular playing time, whether that comes in Indiana or elsewhere.
If the Pacers can land an exponentially better offer, they should by all means. But either way, they should not hold on to Oladipo and risk losing him to free agency if that’s his ultimate goal.
