As a Pacers fan I'll be the first to say. I don't want to trade Obi Toppin. However, since there is a rumor going around. I thought why not add it here in this trade.. I do like the idea of trying to find some length defensively and then adding a defensive multifaceted guard. Since we did trade Brown and need as much defense everywhere possible. A trade like this would help balance the roster better. I only didn't want it to be at the cost of our young PF's.

I honestly feel the Pacers didn't address the real position of need in the SF. Lost out on OG and then settled for Pascal. Maybe that was their plan.. But I personally didn't feel like it was the move I'd made given the option of the two. I liked the idea of letting Obi, Smith and Walker grow together. Adding an OG, or similar SF. Then seeing where to go from there. I can only hope somehow the Pacers start hoopin like crazy and I'm not right..

I feel this trade works for everyone involved and fair. Also imo seems to be a much more plausible trade for the Lakers. Especially seeing as how the Hornets would also love to acquire the picks. The Hawks would also for Dejounte Murray. However, they probably want more than a pick or two and D'Lo is a terrible fit next to Trae. You could say then why not trade Trae.. Well, because they'd want even more in a trade for him. The Lakers couldn't afford him right now.

This allows the Lakers to add a solid creating, scoring and lead PG. Who can take them to the next level of competing at the highest level. Without having to sacrifice too much. While also getting an Elite shooter in Buddy Heild. The Lakers being such a great defensive team can make up for any liability on defense at time's. While Buddy can be a decent defender when locked in. Maybe being on a team with championship aspirations will bring out the best in the veteran SG. The Lakers definitely need as much Elite shooting as possible if they want to contend. This allows them to do just that and for a fairly cheap value.

Obi Toppin is a young and constantly improving PF. Who has the most exciting transition game in the league. He'd fit masterfully alongside Shai and the young OKC player's. As they also need a PF like him and have no one even similar. Their spacing, along with Obi's transition game and much improved fast release 3 pointer. He'd become a seamless fit.

Pacers would get the defense they've been wanting. They have had holes in the starting lineup and off the bench. Not having a starting caliber SF for some time. As Walker is coming into his own. Maybe now he can start playing some more SF as shown. Nesmith also being capable. Along with Rui Hachimura in this trade and the switchable Lu Dort. Rui and Lu can play 2,3 and 4 if need be. With these two player's. The Pacers could have a starting 5 of Haliburton/Mathurin/Walker/Pascal/Turner Bench: Nembhard(McConnell)/Dort/Nesmith/Hachimura/Smith (Jackson) Sheppard/Wong That's definitely an improvement, even if it's only a small one. These small trades can add up and most importantly restore balance within your rotation. A consolidation trade basically. Swapping some Offense for Defense. However, the Pacers have to be very careful doing this. Because they have had the #1 Offense. If they tinker too much, they could do damage. While not making a real improvement defensively on top of it would be devastating at this point.. Obi to me was an interesting piece to have develop.. But we added Pascal and it could come down to something like this. Although I'd rather it be for a Mikal Bridges, or at least a Herb Jones. I'd like to think Obi could fetch more. I guess only time will tell, if they even try something like this. Team's aren't wanting to trade Wing SF player's right now. That's why they really should have traded for OG. Because their importance to any team looking to contend is at the highest of value. Seeing as there are so few solid defensive SF Wings nowadays available. It will be tough to find anything resembling that in a trade.

What do you guy's think of this trade? Or the idea of a trade like this for these team's?