Trade Breakdown:

Pacers:

Receive:

Zion Williams (Pelicans)

Jonas Valanciunas (Wizards)

Patrick Baldwin Jr. (Wizards)

Pacers add Zion who since returning from injury has only 1 game under 20 points. Zion is currently averaging 23 points, 8 rebounds (a career high), 5 assists, 1.2 steals (career high) and 1.2 block (career high) this season. Zion would add slashing and attacking the rim to this sharp shooting pacers team who are 7th in 3pt percentage. Zion is averaging a career highs in rebounds, steals and blocks and would be a valuable starting piece the pacers puzzle trying to make a playoff push. Valanciunas would replace Turner, who they trade to the pelicans. Valanciunas has started 9 of his 46 games played this year for the wizards after signing for them in the offseason as he is sitting by reigning #2 pick Alex Sarr on the depth chart. In 19 minutes he’s averaging 11 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks per game with only 12 double doubles.

Pelicans:

Receive:

Myles Turner (Pacers)

Obi Toppin (Pacers)

James Johnson (Pacers)

Johnny Furphy (Pacers)

2028 1st Round Pick (Pacers)

2031 1st Round Pick (Pacers)

Pelicans add Myles Turner, a very good center, on a 1 year deal. They also acquire Obi Toppin who would be the rest of season replacement for Zion, Johnny Furphy, a young talent with high potential and a veteran in James Johnson who they’d probably cut. The two first round picks are crucial in the trade as they are set in 3 and 6 years where the pacers will probably not be as good as they currently are. This gives the Pels cap room for free agency as they would likely let Turner leave unless he plays phenomenally. Johnny Furphy and Obi Toppin would become important pieces for coming seasons as I said Furphy has a high ceiling and Toppin is just a great role player in todays fast paced NBA.

Wiz Receive:

Aaron Nesmith (Pacers)

2025 2nd Round Pick (Pacers)

2027 2nd Round Pick via Utah (Pacers)

2030 2nd Round Pick (Pacers)

The Wizards don’t lose too much as the trade away Valanciunas who was an off the bench vet that came in behind Sarr. They also gave away reserve Patrick Baldwin Jr. who has only appeared in 21 contests and averaged 4.5 minutes in those. The Wizards on the other hand add Aaron Nesmith a 25 year old sharp shooter who was a key starter last season and mainly this season but has been on and off due to injury. The Wizards also gain 3 future 2nd round picks, 2 of them within the next 3 years. The Wizards likely start Nesmith with Kuzma, Sarr, Poole and Coulibaly having Brogdon and Carrington come off the bench.

Final Grades:

Pacers: B+

Pelicans: B

Wizards: A-