Indiana Pacers: Why Indiana Should Pursue Michael Carter-Williams
Indiana needs to build for the future. Acquiring Michael Carter-Williams could be a move that pushes the Pacers to new heights in the years to come.
The Indiana Pacers (16-31) have lost seven of their last eight games and it’s not looking like things are turning around anytime soon. Even if Indiana manages to fight their way into a playoff spot, there’s little to no chance that they could be competitive in a seven-game series.
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With the February 19th NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, and with Larry Bird at the helm, it’s likely that Indiana could make a move or two to solidify the squad for Paul George’s return. One such move that could pay real dividends in the future would be the potential acquisition of 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams.
It’s unlikely that Indiana could find another point guard with the skill set and salary that Carter-Williams has. The 2014 Rookie of the Year has played impressively well thus far in his NBA career. He displays impressive court vision, ball sharing, solid defense, and the ability to be an aggressive scorer. Carter-Williams would easily fit the mold of a young player to grow alongside Paul George. Not to mention that Carter-Williams is still on his rookie contract. A contract that could provide some much-needed salary cap relief in Indiana.
The Pacers have a few options to lure the Philadelphia front office into surrendering their prized point guard. The 76ers lack talent at the small forward position and are in need of a defensive-minded wing. Solomon Hill could potentially meet the needs of Philadelphia in that regard. Solo has played well this season for Indiana, but a talented wing is not what the Pacers are in need of moving forward, as that role is filled by Paul George. Indiana could make a compelling case if they elect to offer a draft pick in combination with Hill.
Indiana also holds the rights to a potentially high pick in this year’s draft. Depending on how Indiana decides to approach trades and what other teams want, this pick could be used in conjunction with someone like Solomon Hill, or include other draft selections as well.
The Indiana Pacers need to bolster their roster with young players if they want to regain the league-wide respect they once had. Surrounding Paul George with young talent could push Indiana to new heights in the years to come. Any trade that prepares for the future is a trade worth engaging in.