The Indiana Pacers are looking to remain active on the trade market. One week after trading for Pascal Siakam, the Pacers have made Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin, and Jalen Smith available for trade, as first reported by NBA insider Brett Siegel.
Siegel had this to say: “After acquiring Pascal Siakam, the Indiana Pacers’ front office has remained aggressive. The Pacers are continuing to make calls in search of more talent ahead of the trade deadline, sources said, making Buddy Hield, Obi Toppin, and Jalen Smith available. Indiana has no interest in dealing Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin, or rookie Jarace Walker.”
NBA Rumors: Pacers Make Two Starters Available for Trade
Pacers’ Buddy Hield Available for Trade
The Indiana Pacers have made Buddy Hield and Obi Toppin available for trade, per @BrettSiegelNBA
(Via https://t.co/rjAOIHBodn) pic.twitter.com/n7zYFzqBjj
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 22, 2024
Hield is no stranger to trade rumors, as he has been involved in them ever since he arrived in Indianapolis. Drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans with the sixth overall pick in 2016, Hield has made a career for himself as one of the league’s premier sharpshooters. The Pacers guard also won the 2020 Three-Point Contest, defeating Devin Booker in the final.
Now 31 years old, the former Oklahoma Sooner shot an astounding 42.5% from deep last season, and averaged 16.8 points. His numbers have dipped to 13 points per game this season, although that is in part due to Tyrese Haliburton‘s increased scoring.
Sharpshooting at Hield’s level is often hard to acquire in the NBA, hence why he has always attracted so much interest. Hield is on an expiring deal, and would suit the needs of a contender looking for a quick, veteran rental. The Lakers may be a team that’s willing to trade for him, given their interest over the past couple of seasons.
Pacers’ Obi Toppin Available for Trade
Toppin was an absolute star during his time with the University of Dayton, but his professional career has yet to fully take off. It seemed that his on-court connection with Haliburton was going to render him a key piece in the Pacers rotation, but that all changed when Siakam arrived.
Jarace Walker, the 8th overall pick by the Pacers in 2023, has found playing time hard to come by, and much of that has to do with Toppin impressing early on. If Toppin is traded, that would allow Walker to step up in the rotation.
In Siakam’s Pacers debut against the Portland Trail Blazers, Toppin only played 13 minutes and scored zero points. Although he played 26 minutes in the following game, Siakam’s arrival has rendered Toppin expendable. His expiring contract makes him a good trade target for teams looking to lighten their load in the summer.
Pacers’ Jalen Smith Available for Trade
Having spent most of the year as the backup to Myles Turner, Smith has enjoyed a career year with the Pacers. Averaging 10.4 points in just 17.8 minutes per game is no easy feat, and the 25-year-old is also shooting 50% from three on 2.3 attempts per game.
Indiana gaging his trade value is not suprising, given that he has a player option on the last year of his contract for 2024-25. The Pacers also have Isaiah Jackson, another big on the roster who could fill in Smith’s shoes.
Looking Ahead
The addition of Siakam has seemingly galvanized the Pacers front office, as they hope to accelerate their timeline. With two All-Star caliber players already on the roster, the priorities now lay in determining who will be a part of the supporting cast.
