Why Shouldn’t Pacers Make Massive Roster Move?
As the Indiana Pacers prepare for another deep playoff run in 2025, fans can’t help but look ahead to the future. Myles Turner will be a free agent and will certainly have his fair share of suitors, and the Pacers must either re-sign him or find another viable center this summer in order to keep their window open.
With plenty of role-players to match salary and a handful of draft picks in the coming years, the Pacers can, in theory, make a massive trade to add a third star next to Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, although one splashy move should not even be on the radar.
As the Philadel[hia 76ers grapple with an uncertain future, trading either Paul George, Joel Embiid, or Tyrese Maxey could be on the table. George is signed to a massive contract that will take him well past his prime (which could already be over) so Embiid and Maxey are the more attractive trade candidates.
On paper, replacing Turner with Embiid seems like a massive upgrade. The 2023 NBA MVP is one of the very best players in the NBA when healthy, although the Pacers should make no effort to add him.
Despite leading the league in scoring twice, Embiid has a reputation as a playoff choker, and it’s well-deserved. In order to add him, the Pacers–who made the Conference Finals last season–would have to give up Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard at minimum, as well as a haul of draft picks.
While ideas linking the Pacers to Embiid have occasionally been floated all season long, adding him into the fold would do little to foster long-term success, and his inability to stay healthy and productive should be enough to dissuade Indiana.
