NBA Trade Deadline 2018: 5 trades to rescue Kemba Walker

4. Indiana Pacers: Darren Collison, Bojan Bogdanovic, T.J. Leaf and Indiana’s 2018 first-round pick for Kemba Walker and Marvin Williams

Indiana is in the middle of their first promising playoff run in years, with the future of a Victor Oladipo-Myles Turner tandem the focus rather than the fear of Paul George leaving. Collison and Bogdanovic have been serviceable for the team this season, helping push the Pacers toward the playoffs. However, another dynamic ball-handler like Walker would lift the team to another level.

The Pacers’ success this season has hinged largely upon the advantage they possess when they put multiple playmakers on the court together who can make open shots. Collison has had a great year in the system, as have players like Cory Joseph and of course Oladipo. Walker’s ability to make pull-up jump shots and assist on others’ shots at an elite level would be a good fit in Indiana.

Leaf and the pick are a solid haul for Charlotte, who would also get off Williams’ contract in this trade. The rookie forward has broken through into the Pacers’ rotation in his rookie season, while the team’s pick this year projects to be in the twenties.

Altogether, this is an appealing package for the Hornets because it would give them a short-term Kemba replacement for their rebuild, get off of one of their albatross contracts and return two solid assets.