If you can’t beat ‘em…

Few teams are going to have A. Appealing trade packages and B. Enough financial space to take on Giannis once he possibly requests a trade this off-season. Pacers could be one of the few to offer the Bucks both solid players and multiple first round picks.

This creates the obvious new trio in Indy of Giannis, Haliburton, and Turner as he re-signs on a new deal. All of a sudden, the Pacers are actual championship contenders. This is all dependent on Simon actually being willing to pay the likely luxury tax. I’m not holding my breath.

Bucks reboot with two solid pieces rather than bottoming out with both Siakam and Mathurin. The Lillard contract will keep a rock solid ceiling on this team though. But… beats being at the bottom of the barrel of the NBA and crossing fingers for ping pong balls.