Why Indiana Pacers Do This Trade
The Indiana Pacers shake up their roster configuration with this trade. The team’s outlook changes pretty drastically with Myles Turner vacating the starting center spot, which Domantas Sabonis can slide over to.
In this trade, the Pacers receive two players that can help shore things up in the frontcourt in Marcus Morris Sr. and Serge Ibaka. Depending on what head coach Rick Carlisle is looking for, either player can start in the frontcourt.
Morris provides the team with another shot maker to help improve their 3-point shooting. He will also help replace what they are losing from Doug McDermott, who signed with the San Antonio Spurs in free agency. Morris also gives the Pacers some insurance in case T.J. Warren cannot return to form.
Ibaka gives the Pacers another versatile big man that can play either power forward or center. He brings some similarities to the table as Turner, as he can stretch the floor and provide some rim protection on defense. Health is the biggest issue facing Ibaka at this point.
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Justise Winslow is a good reclamation project for the Pacers. He can provide more insurance for Warren on the wing should he prove to be healthy.
Having options is always nice, and the Pacers get a little more versatile with this deal. Trading Turner presents some challenges, but Indiana has Goga Bitadze and Isaiah Jackson that can play some minutes at the center spot as well.