Indiana Pacers
I read an article recently that stated that the Pacers are one blockbuster trade or marquee-free agent signing away from becoming a contender. While there actually is a lot of truth in that statement, that’s not what I’m here for.
IND gets: Josh McRoberts
MIA gets: Lavoy Allen and Rakeem Christmas
Hop on over to ESPN’s Trade Machine for a minute, and pull up the Miami Heat’s roster. Notice a trend? (Hint: the answer is TOO MANY ONE YEAR DEALS)
The Heat definitely overachieved with Goran Dragic‘s inconsistent play and Chris Bosh missing the majority of the season, so they were forced to dig deep into the free agency bargain bin and came away with solid contributors in Gerald Green, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Joe Johnson; among others.
It wasn’t enough though, as they also made a few in-season trades, and somewhat similar to the Bulls, are losing a lot of their front court pieces, including Bosh. His career could be over.
Despite Hassan Whiteside‘s free agency looming, Miami doesn’t need to necessarily re-sign him in order to make the playoffs again next season. LeBron James may be coming back to town, and with him some other friends/major free agents. Getting rid of the oft-injured McRoberts and acquiring a solid role player in Allen, and TBD but exciting young prospect in Christmas, Miami could be opening its Christmas gifts early next season.
Indiana is like Boston team-wise due to the fact that they have a lot of solid pieces but no real superstar (outside of Paul George), but win games and play solid defense. Indiana’s bigs are a large piece of that success, but none of them outside Myles Turner are floor spacers like McRoberts.
Changing zip codes could be just what McRoberts needs to find his Charlotte form again. Interestingly enough, he played for Indiana early on in his career.
Next: Milwaukee Bucks