Pacers’ Bold Trade Plans For 7th Pick In NBA Draft, Revealed

The Indiana Pacers could trade the seventh overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype.

The Pacers are looking to upgrade their small forward and power forward spots.

“Rival NBA executives believe Indiana will conduct due diligence and gauge the market for the No. 7 pick, with upgrades at small forward and power forward as tasks for the Pacers this offseason,” Scotto wrote. “If Indiana keeps this pick and Jarace Walker falls to them, the Pacers could have their power forward of the future. Other candidates for this pick include Cam Whitmore and Taylor Hendricks. The Pacers have scheduled individual workouts with both Walker and Hendricks. Whitmore already worked out for Indiana, as noted above.

“Walker, who has upcoming workouts with the Pistons and Jazz, was projected seventh overall in four of the 10 mock drafts polled. Walker met with several lottery teams at the combine, including the Spurs, Blazers, Pistons, Jazz, and Thunder.”

The Pacers won only 35 games this season and missed the playoffs again. However, the team appears to have a bright future with guards Tyrese Haliburton and Bennedict Mathurin leading the way.

NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Haliburton & Indiana Pacers Updates

Haliburton is one of the best players in the NBA. The 23-year-old averaged 20.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists this season while shooting 49.0% from the field, 40.0% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free-throw line. Haliburton recorded 32 double-doubles in 56 games.

Meanwhile, Mathurin put up 16.7 points per game as a rookie. He made the All-Rookie Team and figures to be an All-Star soon.

NBA DRAFT NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyrese Haliburton & Indiana Pacers Updates

Haliburton is set to become extension-eligible this offseason. Yossi Gozlan of HoopsHype has more details:

“Haliburton is Indiana’s franchise player and he will likely be treated as such with a maximum contract offer. He is eligible to extend with the Pacers for up to five years, projected at $204 million. He could also receive provisions on his deal to receive a higher maximum salary, up to five years, projected at $244.8 million, if he meets the criteria like earning All-NBA honors next season.”

All signs point toward Haliburton getting an extension from the Pacers.