Indiana Pacers

Indiana Pacers star Domantas Sabonis left Monday night's game against the Toronto Raptors after banging his knee with Kyle Lowry's and was ruled out during the second quarter, but ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski provided a positive report.

Per Wojnarowski, X-rays on Sabonis' knee showed no structural damage. He will undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

Before exiting, Sabonis collected 11 points, three rebounds and two assists.

The Pacers led the Raptors 70-60 at halftime.

The 24-year-old, who didn't join the Pacers in the bubble last season because of plantar fasciitis, is one of the squad's most dominant players. Sabonis ranks second to Malcolm Brogdon (21.9) in points per game, averaging 20.9 and leading the squad with 12.9 rebounds per game and a 53.5 field-goal percentage.

Without him, Doug McDermott's and Myles Turner's offensive roles could increase. McDermott has started the last five games, and Turner posted a season-best 25 points against the Raptors in a loss Sunday.

Caris LeVert went to the Indiana Pacers in the multi-team trade that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets and Victor Oladipo to the Houston Rockets, but the 26-year-old guard said the change in scenery may have helped save his life after an MRI revealed a small mass on his left kidney.

"I didn't have any symptoms," LeVert said, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. "I was playing in games. I hadn't missed any games this season yet. I was feeling 100 percent healthy. So, in a way, this trade definitely showed and revealed what was going on in my body, so I'm definitely looking at it from that side and definitely humbled to know that this trade could've possibly saved me in the long run."

LeVert, who is out indefinitely, said he and the team are waiting for the results from tests before he returns to the floor.

"Obviously, I want to play as soon as possible," he said. "I'm a competitor. I love to play the game. But for me, I think making sure I'm good health-wise is most important. So, as far as timeline and everything like that, we'll definitely figure it out some time in the future. But right now we just don't have those answers."

While Oladipo was a key piece for the Pacers, LeVert figures to be someone who can slide right into their talented lineup as soon as he is cleared to play.

Malcolm Brogdon will continue to run the offense as the primary ball-handler and facilitator, while the frontcourt combination of Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner (when he is back from a fractured hand) is among the most talented in the Eastern Conference.

That will free up LeVert to make plays on the wing by either hitting from three-point range when defenders collapse on the bigs or attacking the basket off feeds from Brogdon.

LeVert is averaging 18.5 points, 6.0 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game this season.

While it remains to be seen when he will return to the court, LeVert acknowledged the support he has received from the Pacers organization, which selected him in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft before trading him to the Nets.

Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner will miss an undisclosed time period because of a fracture in his right hand. 

According to the team, Turner is listed as day-to-day and will not require surgery. 

Turner is averaging 12.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and an NBA-leading 4.2 blocks per game this year.

The 24-year-old remains a valuable player defensively for the Pacers, while his numbers have stayed consistent throughout his career.

He finished last season averaging 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, his fifth straight year in double figures while the third time in four years averaging at least two blocks per game.

His 2.7 blocks per game in 2018-19 led the NBA.

Turner's efficiency took a slight step back last season with a career-low 45.7 percent shooting, but the center remained a key part of the lineup as the Pacers made the playoffs for a sixth straight season. It could lead to issues if the center is forced to miss more time.

Domantas Sabonis will have to take on a heavier workload in the frontcourt with Turner out, while the team's depth down low will be tested. Goga Bitadze could see additional minutes while Indiana will also likely use smaller lineups to overcome the injury.

Victor Oladipo is a Houston Rocket after the trade that also sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets, but he said he will forever be a Hoosier in a lengthy message to Indiana Pacers fans and his former teammates.

The former Indiana Hoosiers star said this trade is "hitting me a little differently … but the one emotion or feeling that I keep coming back to is gratitude."

pic.twitter.com/rPMFDHFu7Q

— Victor Oladipo (@VicOladipo) January 18, 2021

He called Indiana his second home and said, "As I stand at the beginning of a new chapter in my career I just wanted to tell you that I will never forget the love, passion, support, and encouragement I received from the people of Indianapolis and all the great business and personal relationships I have built there and throughout the Hoosier state of Indiana."

That he feels an emotional tie to Indiana is no surprise considering he played his collegiate basketball there and made both of his NBA All-Star Games with the Pacers.

He played for the Pacers since the 2017-18 campaign after starting his career with the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder and helped lead them to the playoffs in each of the last three years.

Indiana will have to return without him this season, but it has a talented young core with Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Malcolm Brogdon and, now, Caris LeVert.

The Indiana Pacers announced that guard Caris LeVert is out indefinitely after an MRI showed a small mass on his left kidney during a physical.

"We are grateful for their extreme thoroughness during the physical process, and I am looking forward to joining the team and being part of this great organization as soon as possible," LeVert said in a statement, per ESPN's Malika Andrews.

LeVert, who spent the first four-plus seasons of his career with the Brooklyn Nets, landed with the Pacers as part of a four-team deal that included 2017-18 NBA MVP James Harden going from the Houston Rockets to Brooklyn.

The physical was being conducted prior to the trade's finalization, per the Pacers.

Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic reported earlier Saturday that "an issue was discovered" during LeVert's physical and that the Pacers received an additional second-round draft selection and cash to officially finalize the four-team trade.

Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard also released a statement:

"We acquired Caris because of who he is as a young man first and foremost. His basketball skill and on court play speaks for itself and we know he has a great career ahead of him. We will support Caris through this time and know that he will join us on the court as soon as he is able."

LeVert, 26, averaged 18.5 points, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 27.8 minutes per game for the Nets this season.

After a short delay, the Indiana Pacers have officially acquired Caris LeVert from the Houston Rockets to complete the blockbuster four-team trade that sent James Harden to the Brooklyn Nets. 

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the Pacers will receive a second-round draft pick from the Cavs and cash to complete the deal after an issue was found in Caris LeVert's physical. 

The Pacers announced LeVert will be out indefinitely after an MRI found a small mass on one of left kidney.

LeVert included a statement in the Pacers' announcement: 

"On behalf of my family and myself, we want to thank the Indiana Pacers for their support and guidance. We are grateful for their extreme thoroughness during the physical process and I am looking forward to joining the team and being part of this great organization as soon as possible."

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported Brooklyn will also send an extra $2.4 million to Indiana.

The Nets officially announced the acquisition of James Harden in a three-team trade involving the Rockets and Cavaliers on Thursday

LeVert was sent from Brooklyn to Houston as part of that deal, but ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Wojnarowski reported the Rockets were going to send the 26-year-old to Indiana in exchange for Victor Oladipo. 

The Pacers officially announced their acquisition of LeVert on Saturday.

Oladipo has been with the Pacers since being acquired from the Oklahoma City Thunder in July 2017. He ranked third on the team in scoring with 20 points per game in 2020-21 prior to the deal. 

Indiana originally selected LeVert with the 20th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. His draft rights were traded to the Nets before the start of that season in exchange for Thaddeus Young.

LeVert has spent the past five seasons in Brooklyn. He is averaging 18.5 points and a career-high six assists per game in 12 contests this season. 

The Pacers are scheduled to play the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center on Sunday. 

The Brooklyn Nets reportedly acquired James Harden in a blockbuster four-team trade Wednesday, but the Houston Rockets are set up well in the draft going forward.

According to Shams Charania of Stadium and The Athletic, the Rockets will receive Victor Oladipo, Dante Exum, Rodions Kurucs, four first-round picks and four pick swaps. The Indiana Pacers land Caris LeVert and a second-round pick, while the Cleveland Cavaliers get Jarrett Allen and Taurean Prince.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the second-round pick the Pacers will receive will come via the Rockets (2023).

The deal helps shape the landscape of the 2020-21 season with the Nets becoming instant contenders, while Oladipo and LeVert could become impact players on different playoff teams.

It also creates significant movement for the future with a lot of draft capital changing teams.

All of the picks involved are unprotected as well, according to Charania. Though the Nets are expected to contend this year, we have seen unprotected picks turn into early lottery selections in the past.

We might not see the impact of this deal for several years, but it could have lasting effects for both Brooklyn and Houston.

Here is the latest regarding the upcoming draft picks for each team (h/t Bobby Marks of ESPN).

     

Houston Rockets

First round

• 2021: 1-4 Own or swap with Brooklyn; or least favorable of Houston (if 5-30), Miami and Oklahoma City and two most favorable to Oklahoma City; Has Detroit (if 17-30); Has Portland (if 15-30)
• 2022: Own; Has Brooklyn; Has Milwaukee (if 11-30); Has Detroit (if 17-30) and not already settled; Has Portland (if 15-30) and not already settled
• 2023: Own or swap with Brooklyn; Detroit (if 19-30) and not already settled; Has Portland (if 15-30) and not already settled; Has Washington (if 15-30)
• 2024: 1-4 Own; Has Brooklyn; To Oklahoma City (if 5-30); Has Detroit (if 19-30) and not already settled; Has Portland (if 15-30) and not already settled; Has Washington (if 13-30) and not already settled
• 2025: 1-10 Own or swap with Brooklyn; Own or to Oklahoma City (if 11-30) (via Oklahoma City swap for Houston or LA Clippers); Has Detroit (14-30) if not already settled; Has Portland (if 15-30) and not already settled; Has Washington (if 11-30) if not already settled
• 2026: 1-4 Own; Has Brooklyn; To Oklahoma City (if 5-30); Has Detroit (if 12-30) and not already settled; Has Portland (if 15-30) and not already settled; Has Washington (if 9-30) and not already settled
• 2027: Own or swap with Brooklyn; Has Detroit (if 10-3) and not already settled; Has Portland (if 15-30) and not already settled

Second round

• 2021: Own or swap for Philadelphia
• 2022: To Cleveland
• 2023: To Indiana (31-32 Own; or least favorable of Houston (if 33-36), Dallas and Miami; more favorable of (i) HOU (if 33-60) and (ii) less favorable of Dallas and Miami to Boston)
• 2024: To Oklahoma City if Houston does not convey first-round pick to Oklahoma City in 2024; Has Golden State
• 2025: To Oklahoma City if Houston does not convey first-round pick to Oklahoma City in 2024
• 2026: To Oklahoma City if Houston does not convey first-round pick to Oklahoma City in 2026; Has Washington if Washington has not conveyed first-round pick to Houston by 2026
• 2027: To Detroit; Has Washington if Washington has not conveyed first-round pick to Houston by 2026; Has Detroit if Detroit has not conveyed first-round pick to Houston by 2027; Has Portland if Portland has not conveyed first-round pick to Houston by 2027

         

Brooklyn Nets

First round

• 2021: Own (Houston has right to swap)
• 2022: To Houston
• 2023: Own (Houston has right to swap)
• 2024: To Houston
• 2025: Own (Houston has right to swap)
• 2026: To Houston
• 2027: Own (Houston has right to swap)

Second round

• 2021: To Charlotte; Has Atlanta; Has Indiana (if 31-44); Has Phoenix (if 36-60)
• 2022: Own; Has Indiana (if 31-44) and has not already settled
• 2023: Least favorable of Brooklyn, Atlanta and Charlotte; most favorable to Philadelphia and second most favorable to Atlanta; Has Indiana if not already settled
• 2024: Own
• 2025: To Atlanta; Has Golden State
• 2026: Own
• 2027: Own

       

Cleveland Cavaliers

First round

• 2021: Own
• 2022: Own
• 2023: Own
• 2024: Own
• 2025: Own
• 2026: Own
• 2027: Own

Second round

• 2021: To New Orleans
• 2022: To New Orleans; Has Houston, San Antonio and Washington
• 2023: Own; Has Golden State or Detroit
• 2024: To Indiana; Has Milwaukee (if first has not been conveyed)
• 2025: Own; Has Milwaukee
• 2026: Own, Has LA Lakers
• 2027: Own; Has Utah

      

Indiana Pacers

First round

• 2021: Own
• 2022: Own
• 2023: Own
• 2024: Own
• 2025: Own
• 2026: Own
• 2027: Own

Second round

• 2021: 31-44 to Brooklyn; 45-60 Own; Has Milwaukee; Has Utah
• 2022: 31-44 to Brooklyn; 45-60 Own if not already settled; or to Orlando if Indiana conveys 2nd round pick to Brooklyn in 2021; Has Miami
• 2023: To Brooklyn if not already settled; or to Orlando if not already settled and if Indiana conveys 2nd round pick to Brooklyn in 2022; Has Houston
• 2024: Has Cleveland; To Orlando if not already settled and if Indiana conveys 2nd round pick to BRK in 2023
• 2025: To Milwaukee; Has Miami
• 2026: Own; Has Miami
• 2027: To Oklahoma City

Indiana Pacers small forward T.J. Warren is set to undergo surgery to repair a stress fracture in his left foot and will remain out indefinitely, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.   

The 27-year-old was held out of Thursday's 119-99 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

This also explains why Bjorkgren played Kelan Martin early and 11 minutes total. Have to start evaluating options with Warren out indefinitely.

"I love how he competes and he’s just been staying ready all along,” Bjorkgren said of Martin.

— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) December 31, 2020

Through four games this season, Warren has posted 15.5 points per game while shooting 52.9 percent from the field. 

Warren's absence likely means more playing time for Kelan Martin and JaKarr Sampson.

The former Phoenix Suns forward was a revelation for Indiana during the NBA bubble last season, averaging 31.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists over his final six games of the regular season, including a 53-point outing against the Philadelphia 76ers.

His hot streak continued in the playoffs as he poured in 20 points per night.

It wasn't enough at the time—the Miami Heat swept the Pacers in four games during the first round—yet it gave the team a solid secondary scoring option to pair with Domantas Sabonis in the frontcourt. 

Now that plan is on hold. 

Warren had been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his right foot prior to his latest injury. It seems the Pacers (4-1) will give him as much time as he needs to fully heal before putting him back on the court. 

Victor Oladipo, entering the final season of his contract and eligible to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, is a prime candidate to be traded before the March 25 trade deadline. 

Or as one league executive more bluntly told Bob Kravitz of The Athletic: "He's gone. They'll move him."

That followed a November report in the Indianapolis Star that Oladipo had been asking players from opposing teams to push their teams to acquire him:

Victor Oladipo asked other teams "Can I come play with y'all?" in front of his Pacers teammates, per @ThisIsJMichael pic.twitter.com/vcSyJVlhcB

— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) November 12, 2020

Oladipo denied that report.

"I know there have been people saying that I have asked players to trade for me. That's just not true, period," he told The Athletic. "I love my teammates, I cherish the state of Indiana and I'm focused on leading this franchise to a title." 

The 28-year-old is a polarizing figure. On one hand, the two-time All-Star was a third-team All-NBA selection in the 2017-18 season, averaging 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three.

He looked like one of the top perimeter players in the NBA that season, and general managers who believe Oladipo can return to that level will surely inquire about his availability. 

On the other hand, injuries have limited him to just 55 games since that season, and he's never truly replicated that level of play. Add in the fact that it's always a risk trading assets for a player in the last year of a contract, at the risk of losing them for nothing in free agency, and the Pacers may struggle to get top value in return for Oladipo. 

Regardless, it sure seems like Oladipo's time in Indy is coming to a close. With the Pacers already owing a total of $82.9 million to the core of Malcolm Brogdon, Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, T.J. Warren and Jeremy Lamb next season, splashing max dollars on Oladipo—which he'll likely be expecting—could leave the Pacers in a future salary crunch. 

And the risk of losing him for nothing as a free agent is too great. An in-season divorce feels inevitable. 

The Indiana Pacers announced Thursday that T.J. Warren is considered week-to-week with right foot plantar fasciitis, putting his availability for the 2020-21 season opener in doubt. 

Indiana gets its preseason underway Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers and tips off the regular season Dec. 23 at home to the New York Knicks.

Warren missed the Pacers' final two games of the seeding round last year with plantar fasciitis. He returned for the playoffs and averaged 20 points, 6.3 rebounds and three assists in Indiana's first-round sweep at the hands of the Miami Heat.

The injury had clearly limited the 27-year-old, who exploded for 53 points in the Pacers' first game of the NBA restart. He averaged 31 points over six games prior to the postseason.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_VmvvbpuFI

Especially with the lingering questions about what kind of player Victor Oladipo is following his ruptured quad tendon, the Pacers are looking to Warren to build on his performance in the bubble and take a step forward after putting up 19.8 points per game in 2019-20.

Indiana's failed pursuit of Gordon Hayward spoke to how the team would've benefited from strengthening on the wing in the offseason. Jeremy Lamb tore his ACL and meniscus in February, while Justin Holiday is solid but not suited to take on a lead role.

Raising long-term concern about Warren would be premature, but the fact he's dealing with an injury that originally arose in August isn't very encouraging.