Pacers Plan to Build Around Tyrese Haliburton, Hope He's 'Next Reggie Miller'
Aug 19, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CA - JULY 25: A behind the scenes photo of a Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers workout on July 25, 2022 at Shalhevet High School in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton is a cornerstone of the team's plans of the future, and the franchise is hoping he will go down as one of its all-time greats.
"We're gonna build our team around him," Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan told Alex Kennedy of Basketball News. "We see him as hopefully being the next Reggie Miller. We had a Reggie Miller mural painted on a building in downtown Indianapolis, and I think our dream is that one day Tyrese will have [his own] up somewhere in downtown Indianapolis."
Indiana acquired Haliburton at last season's trade deadline in February as part of the deal that sent All-Star power forward Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings. In 26 games for the Pacers, the 22-year-old averaged 17.5 points, 9.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.8 steals while shooting 50.2 percent from the field and 41.6 percent from three-point range.
The Pacers are in the midst of a rebuild after finishing last season with a 25-57 record. Veteran point guard Malcolm Brogdon was traded to the Boston Celtics earlier this offseason, leaving Haliburton as the team's primary floor general.
Stepping into his first full season as Indiana's No. 1 option, Haliburton isn't shying away from the pressure of leading the team.
"As a kid, I would’ve f--kin' killed for this, so it's fun to be a part of," Haliburton told Kennedy. "And at the end of the day, it's just basketball. And the things in life that come with it, I'm just gonna be who I am and share my values on certain things... I just take it naturally and have fun with it. It’s a great opportunity for me."
The Pacers will open their 2022-23 campaign on Wednesday, Oct. 19, at home against the Washington Wizards.
Pacers 2022-23 Schedule: Top Games, Championship Odds and Record Predictions
Aug 17, 2022
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 9: Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers shoots a free throw during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers on April 9, 2022 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers are fully in rebuilding mode, but they have a lot of exciting pieces heading into 2022-23.
Indiana went into last year with high expectations before falling to 25-57, the third-worst record in the Eastern Conference. The team has since traded away Domantas Sabonis, Caris LeVert and Malcolm Brogdon, creating a fresh start after eight years without a playoff series win.
Tyrese Haliburton represents a key part of the future, showcasing his upside as a potential future All-Star at point guard. Bennedict Mathurin, Chris Duarte and Jalen Smith are among the other young players who can prove themselves as part of the core going forward.
With veterans Myles Turner and Buddy Hield still on the roster and capable of big games, there is plenty to watch for the upcoming season.
Domantas Sabonis spent parts of five seasons with the Pacers, leading the team in win shares in each of the last four years, per Basketball Reference. He earned two All-Star selections in the last three seasons, the only representative from Indiana in that stretch.
After a February trade to the Sacramento Kings, a matchup against the Pacers could be an emotional one for all involved.
The forward was out with a knee injury when the two teams faced off last March, but there will be more chances to compete in 2022-23.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Haliburton showed the Kings what they were missing with a 15-assist, zero-turnover game last year. The guard reached double-digit assists 12 times in 26 games with the Pacers and clearly can be an elite facilitator at this level.
Sacramento chose to stick with De'Aaron Fox at point guard while trading away Haliburton, but this matchup provides an opportunity for the 22-year-old to show they made a mistake.
Detroit Pistons (First Game: Oct. 22)
Just like Indiana, the Detroit Pistons' goal this season is to identify and develop talent for the future. The key for the Pacers will be to prove they are further along in the rebuild than their Central division rival.
The Pistons drafted Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 overall pick in 2021 and then picked Jaden Ivey with the No. 5 pick in 2022, one spot ahead of the Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin.
It could create an exciting backcourt battle between the two teams, one that could last for years.
If Mathurin can outplay Ivey in these head-to-head matchups as rookies, it would certainly give him and the Pacers confidence going forward.
Season Forecast
Last year's team had more proven talent, but injuries and midseason trades meant little consistency in the rotation. Oshae Brissett was the only player who appeared in more than 60 games.
This season's team should have a better direction with players they know will contribute.
Haliburton averaged 17.5 points, 9.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game after joining the Pacers last year. Jalen Smith averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game. Replicating these late-season numbers could go a long way toward finding success in 2022-23.
Brissett and Duarte also came on strong and could help the team on both ends of the court.
The Pacers could still struggle to match up with top teams in the NBA next year, lacking the depth and upper-level talent to compete with elite Eastern Conference squads like the Miami Heat, Boston Celtics, Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.
While Buddy Hield and Myles Turner could be impact players to start the year, it remains to be seen how long they stay with Indiana.
It could lead to a third-straight losing season for the Pacers.
Record Prediction: 29-53
21+ and present in AZ, CO, CT, IA, IL, IN, LA, MI, NJ, NY, PA, TN, VA, or WV. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, IN, IL, NJ, PA, VA), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY(467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), or visit www.1800gambler.net (WV).
Pacers' Myles Turner on 5th Season of NBA Trade Rumors: 'I Am Finally Numb to It'
Aug 2, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 31: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks on before the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on January 31, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
Myles Turner is no longer allowing constant trade rumors to bother him.
The Indiana Pacers center said he is "finally numb" to the speculation in a first-person article published at Andscape.
"This is my fifth offseason with trade rumors going on. ‘He’s going to land here; he’s going to do this. He going to do that.’ I am finally numb to it, in a sense. So that’s another thing that I was proud of myself for as well," Turner wrote.
Turner has spent his entire seven-year career in Indiana, but it's felt like he was going to be on the move at several different points. The Pacers shopped him as they tried to break up the awkward fit of Turner and Domantas Sabonis, only to eventually ship out Sabonis as part of a deal to acquire Tyrese Haliburton at the 2022 trade deadline.
Indiana then sought to replace Turner again this offseason, signing Deandre Ayton to a four-year max offer sheet. The Phoenix Suns thwarted those plans by matching the offer sheet, but the speculation still hasn't quieted down.
Turner and Buddy Hield have been linked to a potential move to the Los Angeles Lakers in a deal sending Russell Westbrook to Indiana. The Lakers have starrier visions of landing Kyrie Irving from the Brooklyn Nets, but it's possible they wind up settling for the Turner-Hield package as they attempt to build a more cogent roster around Anthony Davis and LeBron James.
Turner averaged 12.9 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per game last season. He and Davis would be perhaps the fiercest defensive big man group in basketball, and both are rangy enough to stretch out beyond the three-point line and not clog driving lanes. There's a strong basketball fit to be had, and Turner might finally be freed from the constant speculation about his future.
Lakers Trade Rumors: Russell Westbrook for Buddy Hield Deal with Pacers 'Dead'
Jul 22, 2022
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) controls the ball during an NBA basketball game against the Philadelphia 76ers in Los Angeles, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Trade talks between the Los Angeles
Lakers and Indiana Pacers featuring Russell Westbrook, Myles Turner
and Buddy Hield are reportedly "dead."
Bob Kravitz of The Athletic reported
the update Friday, noting the discussions reached a "standstill" and will only be revived if the Lakers are willing to add a second first-round draft pick to their offer.
It's much the same story that's been
painted about other Westbrook trade rumors as of late.
Last week, Michael Scotto of HoopsHype
reported conversations between the Lakers and Brooklyn Nets centered
around the 2016-17 NBA MVP and Kyrie Irving also stalled because of
L.A.'s reluctance to include more than a single first-rounder.
The expectation in that case is it
would take one first to the Nets and another to an organization willing to
take on the final season of the Lakers guard's five-year, $206.8
million contract as part of a three-team swap, per Scotto.
One way or another, it sounds like
L.A. has two choices: trade two first-round selections or go into
another campaign with a core trio of Westbrook, LeBron James and
Anthony Davis.
The latter route seems ripe for
disaster as the Lakers attempt to bounce back from a nightmarish,
injury-riddled 2021-22 season where they missed the playoffs with a
33-49 record.
Westbrook and James both attended a
recent NBA Summer League game but made headlines for making no effort
to communicate amid the trade speculation.
With LeBron a potential free agent
after the upcoming season, the Lakers are likely staring down a
situation where they must appease him and attempt to move back toward
title contention or face the reality of a potentially painful rebuild
beginning next summer.
The proposed Pacers trade made a ton
of theoretical sense. The arrival of Turner would allow Davis to play
his preferred role at the 4 rather than logging a lot of key minutes
at center, while Hield could bring a much-needed outside shooting
boost to the roster.
James would serve as the de facto point
guard of a lineup also featuring Davis, Turner, Hield and Talen Horton-Tucker or Kendrick Nunn. Lonnie Walker IV and Austin
Reaves would lead the reserve group.
Whether that would be enough to get the
Lakers back to the championship level they reached in 2020 is up for
debate, but it would at least represent a fresh outlook after last
season's disaster.
In the end, it would be a surprise if
L.A. allows one first-round pick to prevent it from making
significant roster changes before the new campaign gets underway in
October despite the resistance so far.
NBA Rumors: Deandre Ayton Was 'Enthusiastic' About Tyrese Haliburton, Pacers Pairing
Jul 19, 2022
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 10: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns celebrates against the Dallas Mavericks during Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 10, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Deandre Ayton will remain with the Phoenix Suns after they matched the four-year, $133 million offer sheet the restricted free agent signed with the Indiana Pacers, but the big man was reportedly looking forward to playing with the Eastern Conference team.
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski (h/t colleague Marc J. Spears), "Ayton was enthusiastic about the possibility of pairing with talented young guard Tyrese Haliburton and becoming a centerpiece of the Pacers' rebuild."
That enthusiasm apparently went both ways, as Indiana sought a sign-and-trade to acquire Ayton and cleared $4.7 million in salary-cap space. Yet the Suns were not interested, and the Arizona product now has a yearlong no-trade clause.
While he will make less money than he would have if Phoenix had offered him the five-year, $179.6 million deal it could have July 1 and he had agreed, Ayton was still thrilled with the new contract as he approaches the fifth season of his career.
"This is a blessing," Ayton told Spears. "This contract not only has generational impact for my family but also with the way we are able to work in the Phoenix community and home in the Bahamas."
The Suns lost to the Dallas Mavericks 123-90 in Game 7 of their second-round series despite winning an NBA-best 64 games in the regular season.
Ayton played just 17 minutes and had what Spears described as "a verbal spat on the bench" with head coach Monty Williams.
"Game 7 was an anomaly," Ayton said. "We let that get away from us as a team. That is all in the past. We're going to look forward. We are going to move on."
Moving on means the core of Ayton, Chris Paul and Devin Booker will be tasked with competing against the Golden State Warriors and others in the daunting Western Conference.
The big man reportedly would have enjoyed playing with the Pacers in the Eastern Conference, but he is staying with the only NBA team he has known.
Deandre Ayton, Pacers Agree to 4-Year, $133M Max Contract Offer Sheet
Jul 14, 2022
PHOENIX, AZ - OCTOBER 6: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during a preseason game on October 6, 2021 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
Having established himself as one of the best centers in the NBA, Deandre Ayton has signed a four-year, $133 million maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
RFA center Deandre Ayton has agreed to a four-year, $133M maximum offer sheet with the Indiana Pacers, his agents Nima Namakian (Innovate Sports) and Bill Duffy (BDA Sports + WME Sports) tell ESPN. The Phoenix Suns have 48 hours to match the largest offer sheet in NBA history.
The Phoenix Suns will have two days to decide if they want to match the offer or allow Ayton to join the Pacers.
In order to make room for Ayton, Wojnarowski noted Indiana will be making some roster moves:
The Pacers are waiving guard Duane Washington and waiving and stretching the three players who arrived in the Boston trade for Malcolm Brogdon: Malik Fitts, Juwan Morgan and Nik Stauskas, sources tell ESPN. That'll create the cap space to sign Ayton to the max offer sheet.
Last offseason was the first time that Ayton was eligible for a rookie extension. The 23-year-old did have a $16.4 million qualifying offer remaining on his deal for the 2022-23 season if he wanted to play out the string with Phoenix and become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
No deal materialized before the Oct. 18 deadline because of differences between the two sides about Ayton's value.
Wojnarowski and Windhorst noted the Suns "raised the concept" of a shorter max deal in the three-to-four-year range but never formally presented an offer.
The stalemate between Ayton and the Suns came amid a series of deals for several other top players in the 2018 draft, including No. 3 pick Luka Doncic and No. 5 pick Trae Young.
Extensions so far:
3: L. Doncic: 5/$207.1 million 5: T. Young: 5/$172.5 million 7: W.Carter Jr.: 4/$50 million 10: Mk.Bridges: 4/$90 million 11: S. Gilgeous-Alexander: 5/$172.5 million 14: M. Porter Jr.: 5/$172.5 million 27: R.Williams: 4/$48 million
The Suns aren't known for being a high-spending organization, but team governor Robert Sarver stepped out of his comfort zone after a trip to the NBA Finals in 2021. Phoenix re-signed Chris Paul to a four-year deal worth up to $120 million in August.
Devin Booker previously signed a rookie max extension in 2018. The five-year, $158.2 million deal keeps him under contract to the Suns through the 2023-24 season. Mikal Bridges, who was selected in the same draft as Ayton, received a four-year, $90 million extension.
Ayton has come a long way since his rookie campaign in 2018-19. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft looked like a disappointment out of the gate despite posting a solid stat line with 16.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Some of the criticism in that first season was aimed at his porous defense. Selecting him at No. 1 also looked bad after Doncic and Young emerged as star players.
After some evolution in his style of play during the 2019-20 season, Ayton became a star for the Suns during their run to the NBA Finals. His scoring average was a career-low 14.4 points per game, but he was more efficient with a career-high 62.6 field-goal percentage and 65.3 true shooting percentage.
Taking on the defending NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs, Ayton's defense was instrumental in the Suns' six-game series victory. The Lakers offense averaged 42.6 points in the paint with the 23-year-old on the court compared to 58.5 when he was on the bench.
Things didn't end well for Ayton or the Suns in 2022. They lost in the Western Conference semifinals to the Dallas Mavericks, including a 123-90 defeat in Game 7.
Ayton only played 17 minutes in the final game, and head coach Monty Williams was vague on why it happened.
Monty Williams on Deandre Ayton only playing 17 minutes tonight: "It's internal."
The evolution of Ayton's game was instrumental in the Suns' becoming one of the best teams in the Western Conference. His age and all-around skill set suggest he has only scratched the surface of his full potential.
The Pacers' moves have been all over the place of late, and it's hard to tell what the organization's plan is.
Given that the key players they have acquired dating back to the Feb. 10 trade deadline are Tyrese Haliburton and Ayton, who are both under age 24, it's safe to assume general manager Kevin Pritchard is trying to toe the line between rebuilding and being a playoff contender.
The Pacers have finished under .500 in each of the previous two seasons. Their 25-57 mark in 2021-22 was their worst since 1984-85 (22-60).
Defense was the primary issue in Indiana last season. The unit ranked 26th in points allowed per game (114.9) and 28th in rating (118.1).
Ayton has transformed himself into a good defensive center who should make for an immediate upgrade in Indiana.
He isn't a dynamic scoring option, but his ability in the pick-and-roll makes him a valuable addition for a Pacers roster in flux.
As long as Ayton's Game 7 against the Mavs was a blip on the radar rather than indicative of some larger problem, the Pacers could emerge as a borderline playoff contender with the young center as a key piece of their starting lineup.
Hot Takes from Pacers' Bennedict Mathurin vs. Kings' Keegan Murray Summer League Game
Jul 10, 2022
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JULY 5: Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball during the 2022 California Classic on July 5, 2022 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
In a battle of potential Rookie of the Year candidates, the Sacramento Kings earned a 103-96 win over the Indiana Pacers in Sunday's summer league battle in Las Vegas.
The game featured two of the top six picks from the 2022 NBA draft in Keegan Murray and Bennedict Mathurin, with both players having scored at least 20 points in their previous game. The points didn't come as easy in this one for Mathurin, however, as he scored 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting.
Murray was the better player Sunday with 23 points and three assists, including a strong fourth quarter to help the Kings pull out the win.
Efficiency was an issue as he finished 4-of-12 from three, but Murray showcased a lot of upside:
Seth Greenberg on the ESPN broadcast said he talked to Michigan State coach Tom Izzo about Keegan Murray after they played Iowa. Izzo said to him: “Murray was one of the toughest matchups he’s had to prepare for in the last few years because he’s kind of like a silent assassin.”
Sacramento Kings guard Davion Mitchell about rookie Keegan Murray: “Man I love him. Even through the big moments like last game when he played Paolo… he stayed true to himself. He played like himself throughout the whole game. That’s what I love about him.”
There was still a lot left to be desired between the poor shooting and finishing minus-17 on the court.
Players on both teams are looking to earn final roster spots before the start of the 2022-23 season, and every performance matters in the eyes of the coaches as they determine who can help the squad.
Most eyes are still on the star youngsters, though, and it's clear Murray and Mathurin both have a lot of potential as they enter their first seasons in the NBA.
The Pacers will return to action Tuesday against Jaden Ivey and the Detroit Pistons. The Kings will face Chet Holmgren and the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday.
Report: Malcolm Brogdon Traded to Celtics; Pacers Get Daniel Theis, Draft Pick, More
Jul 1, 2022
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 08: Malcolm Brogdon #7 of the Indiana Pacers dribbles the ball in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 08, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have acquired veteran guard Malcolm Brogdon from the Indiana Pacers, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Here are the full terms of the trade, per Wojnarowski:
Celtics get: Malcolm Brogdon
Pacers get: 2023 first-round pick, Daniel Theis, Aaron Nesmith, Nik Stauskas, Malik Fitts and Juwan Morgan
NBA insider Marc Stein reported in April that the Pacers had given a number of teams the impression they would pursue a trade of the 29-year-old during the offseason.
Brogdon signed a two-year, $45 million extension with the Pacers in October, which prohibited him from being moved during the 2021-22 season.
Brogdon has been in Indiana for the past three seasons after spending the first three years of his NBA career with the Milwaukee Bucks, who selected him in the second round of the 2016 draft.
The Virginia product averaged 19.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists during an injury-plagued 2021-22 campaign that saw him play just 36 games.
The Pacers finished 25-57 in 2022 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season. Indiana is looking to build for the future, and the Atlanta native didn't fit what the team was doing.
Brogdon will go to a Boston squad that is looking for the final piece of the championship puzzle. The Celtics made it to the NBA Finals last season before falling to the Golden State Warriors in six games.
Brogdon has shown the ability to score consistently, but he won't be asked to carry the load in Boston. While he was the Pacers' leading scorer in the last two seasons, he will be asked to fit in alongside the likes of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart.
Brogdon has three years and $67.6 million remaining on his contract.
Deandre Ayton Rumors: Timberwolves, Pacers Are Teams to Watch for Suns RFA
Jun 30, 2022
PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 10: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns talks to the media after Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Semifinals on May 10, 2022 at Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
ESPN's Brian Windhorst said on the most recent The Hoop Collective podcast that he would "keep an eye on Indiana" in regards to restricted free agent Deandre Ayton and that the Pacers were interested in a potential Ayton trade before last season's February trade deadline (38:20 mark), though the Suns didn't want to break up their core at the time.
He added that the Minnesota Timberwolves are "another team to watch" in the Ayton sweepstakes (39:20 mark).
A few things could stand in that potential pursuit for both teams, however.
For one, the Suns can match any offer Ayton receives as a restricted free agent. While it's a bit questionable if the Suns would want to match a max offer to Ayton—seeing as they could have extended him for max money and didn't go that route—it's hard to imagine the Suns letting him walk without getting anything in return, either.
The other impediment to an outright signing for either team is cap space. The Timberwolves have an active roster cap currently of $127 million, per Spotrac, so they would need to clear large contracts off their books before having the room to offer him a max deal in the range of four years and $140 million or anything near that type of number.
The Pacers, on the other hand, are at an active roster cap of $95 million, so clearing the space needed would be less of an exercise for them.
The other option, of course, is a sign-and-trade. Minnesota won't give up Karl Anthony-Towns or Anthony Edwards, likely leaving them with D'Angelo Russell to offer the Suns.
Given that the Suns have an All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul and Devin Booker already, such a prospective deal would likely have to involve a third team. It's hard to see Russell moving the needle much for the Suns unless they believe they can flip him down the line.
The Pacers, on the other hand, could build a package around center Myles Turner, giving the Suns an instant replacement for Ayton. Turner would be a downgrade, but if the alternative is losing Ayton for nothing or signing him to an offer sheet well above their valuation, it might be a worthwhile option for the Suns to consider.
Of course, the Suns and Ayton could also simply come to an agreement on a new deal and make all of the speculation moot. But if that doesn't happen, the Pacers and Timberwolves are reportedly two teams who could enter the mix.
Andrew Nembhard Draft Scouting Report: Pro Comparison, Updated Pacers Roster
Jun 24, 2022
CHICAGO, IL - MAY 20: NBA Prospect, Andrew Nembhard shoots the ball during the 2022 NBA Draft Combine on May 20, 2022 at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Kamil Krzaczynski/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Indiana Pacers added one of the best players on one of college basketball's best teams to their backcourt when they selected Gonzaga's Andrew Nembhard with the No. 31 overall pick in Thursday's 2022 NBA draft from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Nembhard started his collegiate career at Florida and transferred to Gonzaga after two seasons. His resume includes a 2018-19 SEC All-Freshman selection, 2022 WCC Tournament MVP and 2021-22 All-WCC First Team selection.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranked him as the No. 32 overall player on his latest big board for the 2022 draft.
Bleacher Report Draft Expert Jonathan Wasserman's Scouting Report
Player: Andrew Nembhard
Position: PG
Height: 6'3"
Pro Comparison: Tyus Jones
Scouting Report: Nembhard will get second-round looks for an impact on winning and IQ that helps teams forget about his lack of athleticism and scoring.
Nembhard averaged 11.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game while shooting 45.2 percent from the field and 38.3 percent from deep during his final season with the Bulldogs. He dished out 11 assists in a first-round win over Georgia State in the NCAA tournament and then followed with 23 points and five assists in a second-round win over Memphis.
The guard's passing ability immediately stands out, but he also proved he could get to the basket and make plays as a shooter. He should play his way into his new team's rotation during his rookie season.
