NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Indiana Pacers
After giving the Cleveland Cavaliers a run in the first round of the playoffs, The Pacers are at a crossroads. With Paul George likely heading for greener pastures in the summer of 2018, what to do? With the No. 18 pick, Indiana has a lot of options.
The Indiana Pacers might hit a hard restart during this season, so they should draft with that in mind. With so much uncertainty, the Pacers could be headed to the lottery for the foreseeable future. Does it make sense to try to get there now? Or should they just wait and see what happens with George? If Indiana tries to run it back with its current core, they might top out at the No. 6 seed and then lose their best player with nothing in return.
If Indiana sheds Jeff Teague, Al Jefferson, and CJ Miles, they could be headed for a hard reset. For the 2017 NBA Draft and the No. 18 pick, Indiana could go in a lot of directions. Here are five options for the Pacers in the draft, including a juicy trade option.
5. A big trade
If the Pacers really want to blow it up, they might be able to swing big. They could make the following trade and make things in the Eastern Conference very interesting for the Cavaliers:
F, Jae Crowder
, #1 Pick in 2017 NBA Draft
Because the salaries match, the Celtics could then go out and get someone like Gordon Hayward as well. But this is about the Pacers. If the Pacers punt on Jeff Teague and Rodney Stuckey, they could go full-out for Markelle Fultz and the No. 1 pick with this trade. In return, not only do they get two really good players, but they are all of a sudden much deeper. They can then build around Fultz, Myles Turner, and the No. 18 pick.