NBA Trade Rumors: Pacers open to moving Chris Duarte at the deadline?

NBA Trade Rumors: Have the Indiana Pacers changed their stance on possibly trading Chris Duarte and could they move him ahead of the trade deadline? 

The Indiana Pacers have been one of the biggest surprises in the league and have an outside chance of emerging as a dark horse heading into the push toward the playoffs. A big reason due to their encouraging play this season has revolved around the team’s talented young core that begins with Tyrese Haliburton.

One player that was expected to play a big role for the team heading into this season was Chris Duarte, who was hoping to build after a solid start to his career.

After an encouraging rookie season in which he averaged 13 points and four rebounds on 43 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range, the thought was that Duarte was an integral part of the Pacers’ build moving forward. However, that may no longer be the case.

According to a recent report, it seems that the feeling around the league is that Duarte is no longer off limits when it comes to trade talks for the Pacers (who could end up being big players at the trade deadline).

The likely conditions in which the Indiana Pacers would trade Chris Duarte

Even though Duarte has struggled in what is his second season in the league, I also don’t think this report indicates that they’re looking to trade him at the deadline. If the right deal comes to light, I’m sure the Pacers would consider it. That’s what this report is more about.

I’m sure the Pacers still want to see what Duarte could look like next to Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin. Duarte has only played in 21 games so far this season and has bounced in and out of the lineup because of injury. The unfortunate part of this season is that even when Duarte has played, he hasn’t looked entirely comfortable with the Pacers this year.

Is it a sophomore slump? Maybe. But I’d still be shocked if the Pacers decided to punt on Duarte’s potential after the rookie season he had.

The expectation should not be that the Pacers will trade Duarte but more so that he could be moved and that he may no longer be considered an untouchable for the team moving forward.