The Indiana Pacers are reportedly moving towards a roster rebuild and are expected to be receptive to trade talks surrounding some of their veteran players, sources tell The Athletic‘s Shams Charania.
Indiana is open to trade conversations potentially centred around guard Caris LeVert and either forward Domantas Sabonis or centre Myles Turner, according to multiple sources. Rival teams have displayed interest in all three players, and Pacers officials have received calls regarding both of their big men over the past two seasons.
Indiana (10-16) currently sits in 13th place in the Eastern Conference and fourth place in the Central Division.
Sabonis, 25, is a two-time all-star (2020, 2021) and is averaging 17.9 points, 12 rebounds and 4.1 assists while shooting 57.2 per cent from the field in 26 games played this season.
The Pacers are looking to open up some more playing time for standout rookies Chris Duarte, a favourite of head coach Rick Carlisle, and Isaiah Jackson — the team’s 13th and 22nd overall picks, respectively, in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Starting point guard Malcolm Brogdon signed a two-year extension with Indiana prior to the 2021-22 season, making him ineligible to be traded during this campaign.
The Pacers have been without starting small forward T.J. Warren for the majority of the 2020-21 season and the entirety of the 2021-22 season as he works his way back from a foot injury. Warren is set to become an unrestricted free agent in the Summer of 2022, but sources have told The Athletic that the eight-year veteran has notified Pacers management that he would like to stay in Indianapolis.
Pacers ownership has been reluctant to initiate a roster rebuild in the past due to attendance concerns, but sources have told The Athletic there has been a recent change of mind from Herb Simon.
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