Indiana Pacers

Victor Oladipo may not be the only member of the Indiana Pacers on the trading block. According to J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star, center Myles Turner has received interest from the Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics:

Turner, 24, is under contract until 2023 and set to earn $18 million each of the next three seasons. The No. 11 overall pick in the 2015 draft averaged 12.1 points, 6.6 rebounds and 34.4 percent shooting from three-point range in 2019-20.  

The Pacers and Celtics have been linked in trade talks since before last season concluded. 

On October 22, SNY's Ian Begley reported Indiana had interest in acquiring Gordon Hayward from Boston and Michael expressed a similar sentiment back in June to the NBC Sports Podcast.  

While it would likely take a larger package to entice the Pacers, Indiana could financially swap Oladipo and Turner's contracts for Hayward's, bringing the Indiana-native and former Butler star back to his hometown. 

Begley previously noted the Pacers received trade interest for Turner during last year's NBA draft and that has seemed to increase over the season. The 6'1", 250-pounder is a strong rim-protector who can stretch the floor on offense. That makes him a valuable asset for any contender.

As for the Hornets—owners of the No. 3, No. 32 and No. 56 picks in this month's NBA draft—the need for a starting forward remains apparent. 

NBA reporter Keith Smith tweeted Charlotte has let teams know it's willing to take on "bad contracts" in exchange for more draft picks or young talent. That could allow the Pacers to make the type of move that both frees up cap space and returns some veteran depth.

As Indiana prepares for head coach Nate Bjorkgren to begin his first season, either option provides plenty to consider. 

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo reportedly asked members of the Miami Heat, New York Knicks and Toronto Raptors to get their teams to acquire him in a trade.

J. Michael of the Indianapolis Star noted Thursday that Oladipo made the statements in front of his Pacers teammates, which drew ire within the locker room:

It's the latest sign the relationship between Indiana and Oladipo may be ending.

In September, Jared Weiss of The Athletic reported the two-time All-Star was "looking to move on this offseason" after missing most of the 2019-20 campaign while recovering from a ruptured quadriceps tendon suffered in January 2019.

Marc Berman of the New York Post noted Oladipo was among the players being considered by the Knicks in their first offseason under new team president Leon Rose.

The Milwaukee Bucks were also in contract with Indiana about the second overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft, per Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer.

For his part, Oladipo explained during an Instagram Live interview with rapper Fat Joe (via Dijo Songco of Clutch Points) he didn't know where the trade rumors were coming from and added his main focus was capturing some "hardware."

"I'm a Pacer. I'm a Pacer," Oladipo said in September. "Those rumors on the internet, I don't know where they're coming from. I'm just focused on getting my knee right for next year."

He added: "Everybody who knows me knows that I'm all about winning. I feel that that's what you're defined as in this game."

Oladipo has one season left on his four-year, $85 million contract with the Pacers. He'll count $21 million against the salary cap for 2020-21, a factor in any potential trade talks.

The 28-year-old Indiana University product ranked ninth among all NBA players in ESPN's real plus-minus during his breakout 2017-18 season, but his numbers have dipped the past two years.

He averaged 14.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 19 games after returning from the knee injury this past season.

The drop in performance combined with the high cap hit could make it difficult for the Pacers to obtain a strong return for him in a trade, but with his contract set to expire after next season, there might not be a perfect solution available.

Indiana may wait until the season begins and hope he can regain his previous form, which would make him a coveted trade target heading into the deadline.

The Milwaukee Bucks have Victor Oladipo on their list of possible trade targets but haven't yet staged "substantive talks" with the Indiana Pacers, according to ESPN's Zach Lowe.

The Ringer's Kevin O'Connor reported Oct. 28 the two sides "have talked" about a deal but didn't specify how extensive the discussions were.

Lowe added that the New York Knicks had shown an interest in Oladipo but might have adopted a "wait and watch" mindset.

Losing to the Miami Heat in five games in the Eastern Conference semifinals laid bare how badly the Bucks have to address their supporting cast behind Giannis Antetokounmpo in order to make a run to the NBA Finals.

Milwaukee doesn't need to do something as significant as the Los Angeles Lakers acquiring Anthony Davis or the Clippers adding Paul George, but reinforcements are clearly required.

During his 2018 and 2019 All-Star seasons, Oladipo was a dynamic scorer and playmaker. The ability he showed to create his own shot is exactly what the Bucks need for when opponents throw multiple defenders at Antetokounmpo.

The Knicks obviously aren't on the same timeline as the Bucks, but the 28-year-old is the kind of star around whom they can build a contender.

Oladipo's performance in 2019-20 raised questions about his value going forward, though. He averaged 14.5 points and shot 39.4 percent from the floor in 19 regular-season games. His field-goal percentage (39.4) was nearly identical in the playoffs (39.3), while his scoring average climbed slightly to 17.8 points.

Some rust was to be expected after he was out for a calendar year, and the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted his continued recovery.

Still, Oladipo is entering the final year of his contract. Because of those general doubts, signing him to a max deal doesn't make a ton of sense, raising the possibility of a team parting with valuable trade assets and only getting one season of Oladipo on the roster.

And Oladipo's injury has probably done little to lower Indiana's demands because he's the face of the franchise—at least until he explicitly says he's not going to re-sign.

The mother of Indiana Pacers forward Alize Johnson said she was left "speechless" after her son purchased his family a new home in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Johnson shared a video Tuesday of the moment he revealed the surprise, with his mother dropping to her knees and overcome with emotion.

"I'm very proud, very proud and just speechless," Chanelle Johnson told TMZ Sports. "Speechless for the things that he's done and just his heart and his humility through the whole process."

Alize joked during the interview he wasn't concerned with how his family decorated the house as long as he got to "deck the basement out and the outside pool and stuff like that."

The Pacers selected the 24-year-old in the second round of the 2018 NBA draft. He has made 31 appearances for the team, averaging 1.5 points and 2.2 rebounds.

The Indiana Pacers have reportedly floated shooting guard Victor Oladipo in trade talks with the Milwaukee Bucks.

Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported the news Wednesday but noted a deal is "unlikely" despite the initial discussions.

Oladipo was one of the NBA's best players during the 2017-18 season. He received MVP voting points after averaging 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 2.4 steals across 75 games during his first season with the Pacers. He also shot 47.7 percent from the field, including 37.1 percent on threes.

The Maryland native dealt with an injury-riddled 2018-19 campaign, however, including a ruptured quadriceps tendon that ultimately led him to miss more than a year of action.

He returned in January, but his numbers lagged well behind his previous standard. He averaged 14.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 39.4 percent from the field in 19 appearances.

Last month, he explained on The Fat Joe Show (via Chris Sims of the Indianapolis Star) he wasn't all the way back to full strength during the 2019-20 campaign, which was delayed and shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.

"I believe you have to catch your body up to your mind," Oladipo said. "Your mind wants to do it, but sometimes your body withholds it, right? So in order to do that, I feel like you have to have an inner peace, be able to understand your body better than your mind does."

The dip in production after a major injury will lead to caution from interested teams like the Bucks, especially since the 28-year-old Indiana University product is set to earn $21 million during the final season of his four-year, $85 million contract.

Milwaukee could definitely use a wing scorer to take some offensive pressure off two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, but it may be better for both sides to revisit discussions closer to the trade deadline if Oladipo can showcase a return to form early in the 2020-21 campaign.

Victor Oladipo could have his eyes on a move to the Miami Heat if he leaves the Indiana Pacers.

According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Oladipo would be happy staying with his current team but "Miami would be No. 1 on his list" if he did leave. 

The two-time All-Star is set to make $21 million next season before becoming a free agent in 2021.

Jackson suggested Oladipo could be a contingency plan for the Heat next offseason but it's "doubtful" they give up too much in a trade before that.

There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding Oladipo as he continues to recover from a quad injury that kept him out for an entire year.

He appeared in just 19 regular-season games in 2019-20, averaging 14.5 points per game, the lowest since his rookie year in 2013-14. Though he performed better in the playoffs—17.8 points and 2.3 steals per game—he was inconsistent and shot just 39.3 percent from the field in the first-round loss to Miami.

However, there could be value in making a trade this offseason.

Miami is reportedly planning to go "all in" with the pursuit of Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2021, per Shams Charania of The Athletic, while several other big names like Kawhi Leonard and Paul George could be available. 

This could prevent the team from making any long-term signings this year, maintaining flexibility for the future.

Oladipo would represent just a one-year commitment, but someone who could make a big difference for a team looking to return to contention after reaching the NBA Finals this past season.

At his best, the guard is a true difference-maker on both ends of the court, averaging 23.1 points, 4.3 assists and a league-high 2.4 steals per game in 2017-18. Adding this type of production alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo could make this a fearsome squad in the Eastern Conference.

If things don't go well, Miami could let him leave in free agency and instead pursue other top stars to put the team over the top.

Prior to the start of the 2019-20 season, the Indiana Pacers and Victor Oladipo reportedly had talks about a long-term contract extension. 

Per SNY.tv's Ian Begley, "the idea of a four-year extension for around $80 million was broached" between the Pacers and Oladipo but "didn't progress much from there."

ESPN's Zach Lowe previously reported that the Pacers discussed a new contract with their All-Star guard prior to the start of the season before "the sides concluded it was best to revisit later."

Oladipo's future with the Pacers has been an ongoing topic of discussion. The Athletic's Jared Weiss reported last month that the 28-year-old is "looking to move on" from Indiana. 

In response, Oladipo appeared on The Fat Joe Show on Instagram Live to dispute any insinuation that he wants to be traded. 

"I knew that question was coming. I don't know what you're talking about, man. I'm a Pacer, man. I'm a Pacer, dog. I'm a Pacer," Oladipo said (h/t Chris Sims of the Indianapolis Star).

One potential problem for the Pacers if they want to trade Oladipo is determining a good value. He only played in 23 games between the regular season and playoffs in 2019-20. The Indiana University alum missed the first 47 games while rehabbing a ruptured quad tendon he suffered in January 2019. 

Oladipo will earn $21 million next season in the final year of his current contract. He averaged 14.5 points and 2.9 assists per game, with a career-low 39.4 percent field-goal percentage and 31.7 three-point percentage.  

The Indiana Pacers have found their next head coach.

Indiana hired Toronto Raptors assistant Nate Bjorkgren on Tuesday. Contract terms were not immediately released, though ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported it's a multiyear deal.

Philadelphia 76ers assistant Ime Udoka, Miami Heat assistant Dan Craig and New Orleans Pelicans assistant Chris Finch were the other finalists for the job, according to The Athletic.

The Pacers announced on Aug. 26 they had fired Nate McMillan after being swept by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

The announcement even referenced McMillan's 3-16 record in the playoffs, although it didn't add the context that Domantas Sabonis was injured this year, Victor Oladipo was injured last year and the team took LeBron James' Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in 2018.

While McMillan lost in the first round of the playoffs all four of his seasons in Indiana, he finished with a 183-136 overall record.

He also largely maximized what could have been realistically expected of the team in 2019-20 with Oladipo coming off a ruptured quad and Sabonis sidelined in the postseason with a foot injury.

It was not enough to keep his job, though, and ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Indiana was eyeing Houston Rockets head coach Mike D'Antoni when it fired McMillan. D'Antoni finished out his contract in Houston and parted ways with the team in September after the Rockets were knocked out of the playoffs by the L.A. Lakers.

However, Bjorkgren was given the job and will now be in charge of a team that could be in something of a transition because Oladipo is only under contract through the 2020-21 season. As a result, he could be subject to trade discussions soon.

Still, there is a core in place with Malcolm Brogdon, T.J. Warren, Sabonis and Myles Turner even if Oladipo is not around long term, and the Pacers are a steady franchise coming off of playoff appearances in each of the last five seasons and nine of the last 10.

Indiana is in a situation where a coach can step in and win right away, and that is exactly what Bjorkgren will try to do in his first head coaching job.

The 45-year-old began his career coaching high school in Arizona before moving on to the G League, where he served as an assistant under Raptors head coach Nick Nurse from 2007-11 and helped the Iowa Energy to the league title in 2011. He then became the head coach of the Dakota Wizards, who later became the Santa Cruz Warriors, leading the team to a Finals appearance.

After another year in the G League as the head coach of the Bakersfield Jam, Bjorkgren moved on to become an NBA assistant, first under Jeff Hornacek with the Phoenix Suns and then moving on to rejoin Nurse in Toronto.

While he doesn't have any NBA head coaching experience, Bjorkgren is someone who knows what it takes to succeed in the postseason where Indiana has failed of late. He won a championship as an assistant coach with the Raptors and learned from Nurse, who is generally considered one of the best coaches in the league.

The Indiana Pacers have reached out to Justin Holiday to indicate their desire to re-sign him this offseason, according to the Indianapolis Star's J. Michael.

"It's expected to be a strong market for Holiday, but the Pacers will have the first shot at securing his services," Michael wrote. "He passed on a more lucrative deal from the Chicago Bulls, who'd traded him twice already, in search of a better basketball culture and stability."

Holiday has played for seven NBA teams and overseas with Okapi Aalst in Belgium and Szolnoki Olaj in Hungary. It's no surprise the 31-year-old would value a level of continuity and be open to returning to Indiana.

The undrafted free agent out of Washington was an effective member of the Pacers rotation. He averaged 8.3 points and 3.3 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per game, and his 40.5 percent clip from three-point range was a career high.

The 6'6", 180-pound wing was an effective defender as well. Opponents shot 40.7 percent from the field and 30.9 percent from beyond the arc when matched up against Holiday, per NBA.com.

The demand for genuine three-and-D players is outpacing the supply. Holiday should be able to command a healthy raise on the $4.8 million he earned from a one-year contract last season.

The Pacers could be headed for a transition. They fired head coach Nate McMillan after being swept by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs and haven't hired a replacement, while Victor Oladipo's future remains the subject of speculation despite the two-time All-Star downplaying any rumors.

Still, Indiana will presumably have playoff aspirations in 2021 with almost all of the team's key players back. Holiday is among the few question marks.

Bringing him back fits with the franchise's short-term goals, and he could probably become a nice trade asset in the event the front office wants to move in a different direction.

The 2020 free agency class is a relatively weak one, especially compared to what we saw last offseason, when players like Kawhi Leonard, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Jimmy Butler hit the open market.

But the trade market could be vibrant, and one player to watch could be Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo, as ESPN's Tim Bontemps reported:

"There is a reason Oladipo's name has been mentioned for months as a possible trade target. Having just one year left on his deal puts the Pacers in position to potentially lose him for nothing—something a small-market team would always prefer to avoid. And the financial landscape of both the league as a whole and the Pacers specifically (with long-term money already committed to Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis) has rival teams wondering if they will be willing to spend to keep Oladipo.

"But any trade talks here will be complicated. Oladipo's play was uneven after returning from injury this year, and given his history, those concerns would transfer to a new team."

There's no doubt teams will have interest in Oladipo if he is available. The question is whether teams will be willing to offer packages based on his 2017-18 season when he was a third-team All-NBA selection after averaging 23.1 points per game, or on the combined 55 games he played in the last two seasons because of a ruptured quadriceps.

During the 2019-20 campaign, he averaged just 14.5 points per game, his lowest tally since his rookie season, while shooting 39.4 percent from the field and 31.7 percent from three, both career worsts. In Miami's postseason sweep of Indiana, Oladipo averaged 17.8 points per game. He also shot just 30.3 percent from the field and 28 percent from three. 

The 28-year-old has two options then—take the immediate security a long-term extension would provide, even if it's below what he believes his value is, or wait a season and attempt to rebuild his market value. After the 2017-18 season, Oladipo looked like one of the burgeoning perimeter stars in the game. 

Indiana finds itself with a similar dilemma if Oladipo doesn't sign an extension. Trading him in the offseason means he won't be dealt at his peak value. Waiting until the trade deadline means teams probably will lessen their offers even if he looks like a star again, given the fear such a trade could be a very short-term rental. 

The Pacers remain a solid contender in the East, with a talented core group. But what they do with Oladipo and potentially Myles Turner—at some point, Indiana is probably going to have to choose between Turner and Domantas Sabonis at center—this offseason could have major ramifications for the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.