The Indiana Pacers traded point guard Malcolm Brodgon to the Boston Celtics for several players when NBA free agency kicked off last week.
The Pacers will trade Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics for a package including Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith and a 2023 first-round pick, per @wojespn pic.twitter.com/kuEoFDl7ov
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 1, 2022
Despite receiving a whopping six players – including a first-round draft choice – from the Celtics, some experts feel Indy got the raw end of that deal.
Let’s probe deeper into the trade and see how it will affect the team’s future.
Brogdon Off To Boston
Even before the NBA Draft festivities last month, there were plenty of trade rumors involving Brogdon.
The Pacers eventually traded Brogdon to the Boston Celtics for Aaron Nesmith, Daniel Theis, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan, and a 2023 first-round selection.
While this didn’t occur during the NBA Draft two weeks ago, it was inevitable considering Tyrese Haliburton is clearly one of the franchise’s cornerstones.
The Pacers dropped another hint when they drafted former Gonzaga Bulldogs point guard Andrew Nembhard in June.
Clearly, a point guard rotation consisting of Haliburton, Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Dwayne Washington Jr. made the oft-injured Brogdon the odd man out.
The Pacers don’t figure to lose much with Brogdon gone – he has never completed an 82-game season since his rookie year in 2016, anyway.
Brogodon’s frequent trips to the bench didn’t bode well for the Pacers’ future.
They’re in much better hands with Haliburton, who figures to become an NBA All-Star in the next two to three years.
#Pacers can’t talk about the Malcolm Brogdon trade until it’s official, but I asked assistant Ronald Nored how Tyrese Haliburton will adjust:
“He really wants this. … He’s embracing it in a great way.”
Lol I also asked about what has now been dubbed the “Ty Hook” 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/0UmaJNV8lo
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) July 2, 2022
Here’s hoping Brogdon will get a clean bill of health with the Celtics in the next several years.
If that happens, he will help them make another title run.
On that note, the Pacers will most likely select in the lower rung of the first round in 2023 because the Celtics are just coming off an NBA Finals appearance.
Expect Boston’s Finals contender status to continue next season and beyond.
Theis was arguably the best player the Pacers got in the Brogdon trade – he sets excellent screens and gives Indy a bruising presence at the 5 spot off the bench.
Nesmith was a disappointment in his first two years with the Celtics.
His most glaring weakness has been his shooting – he hasn’t shot better than 43.8 percent in his short NBA career.
Nesmith also must improve his defensive skills.
Pacers fans hope a change in scenery will benefit Nesmith, who will compete for playing time with Bennedict Mathurin, Chris Duarte, Buddy Hield, and Washington.
As for Stauskas, Morgan, and Fitts, they’re long-shots to make the Pacers’ 2022-23 regular-season roster.
The Pacers fell $31 million below the salary cap after they dealt Brogdon to Boston last week.
That has huge implications if the Pacers make a run for a big-name free agent such as center Deandre Ayton.
That acquisition will dramatically change the landscape in the Eastern Conference next season.
Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid has always gotten the better of Myles Turner.
Ayton will give Embiid fits if the former suits up in Pacers Blue and Gold in 2022-23.
To sum things up, Theis and the first-round draft choice are the brightest pieces the Pacers acquired from the deal.
Clearly, Indy got the raw end of the deal from that perspective.
However, if the Pacers sign a big-name free agent in the next few days, things will even out in their favor.
Simple answer….NO! not even close