Pacers management has avoided one word/narrative like a plague, but I’ll say it here… rebuild. You don’t have to say it, but this sure would be Kevin Pritchard embracing it while appealing to Simon’s fantasies of avoiding it.

In this scenario, let’s just say the Pacers lucked out on lottery night and are in good position in the 2-4 range to draft Jaden Ivey. The need for the team at that point, with so fmany quality guards on the roster, is finding wings. So what does this trade offer the Pacers? Two solid wings, one as a veteran, another as a young promising player, and two first round picks. Ironic that this exchange also features a swap of players with foot injuries, so we’ll call that a wash.

The heart of this deal is that Charlotte needs Indy more than Indy needs Charlotte. That’s leverage Pritchard can’t buy. After years of being exposed for a lack of defense in the paint, a core of players entering the beginning of their prime, and a need to clear salary cap, Charlotte would likely pull the trigger and meet this price. Turner solidifies a lineup of himself, Bridges, Ball, and Rozier, with Oubre and Hield as options for 5th/6th men depending on matchup. That’s enough to get Charlotte over the hump and into the playoffs, much to the relief of Michael Jordan proving himself as an executive in the league.

For the Pacers, the options in rebuilding open up further with five first round picks over two years (pending Cleveland’s fortunes) along with a potential lineup that is marketable to the Indiana crowd. The marketing team would erupt with the ease of selling tickets for a team featuring both Hayward and Ivey. An easy sell for convincing Simon. To replace Turner, the abundance of first round picks along with the development of Isaiah Jackson, who looks like a more athletic Turner 2.0, becomes the next issue for Indiana. Carlisle then has incredible flexibility with a future core of Haliburton, Ivey, Duarte, Jackson, and Washington. Both Hayward and Brogdon are the veteran leaders who can show them the way, and can be afforded with all of these rookie contracts.

It’s a win for Charlotte to get stronger now. It’s a win for Indiana’s long term goals along with a roster that sells to the local crowd. Let me know your thoughts.