Pacers Trade Damjan Rudez to Minnesota for Chase Budinger

Feb 19, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Chase Budinger (10) shoots over Indiana Pacers center

(55) during the first quarter at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Comparison by the Numbers

As I puzzled out the circumstances, the rationale behind the trade became clear.  Allow me to break it down for you. Rudez, 29, was a sensational three-point shooter and many expected him, like Paul George, to slide down from small forward to play as a stretch-4 power forward. However, Rudez’s game is limited in his role as a catch-and-shoot player. That is no knock on him. He was a very effective threat from the perimeter shooting over 40% from behind the arc last season.

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The issue with Rudez heading into this season is an issue of scheme fit. The Pacers are in the midst of transitioning to an up-tempo style. This requires their wings and forwards to get up the floor quickly. Admittedly, Rudez is a great shooter from long-range – with an excellent touch on his shot – but he is not a score-in-transition player. Also, the roster and scheme changes required another perimeter defender in the rotation. To put it nicely, on defense, Rudez is a below average. Budinger is a better perimeter defender than Rudez by default. Budinger and can add a boost to the second unit with a wider array of offensive moves.

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The oft-injured Budinger is coming off his best season overall since joining the Timberwolves. While his points per game totals were less than they were in 2012-13, he played in 44 more games last season. Earlier I said that Rudez’s greatest threat was from the perimeter. Budinger is no slouch from the beyond the arc averaging 36% in 3-point shooting  last season.  He can provide solid minutes off the bench and adds another veteran presence to Indiana’s second unit with six seasons under his belt. The biggest difference is that Budinger is far more effective at the free-throw line. Rudez shot below 70% from the charity stripe while Budinger is a career 80% shooter from the free-throw line. Free throw shooting is a factor that cannot be overlooked in close games as the Pacers contend for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.