Report: Indiana Pacers Open To Moving Two Players At Trade Deadline

The Indiana Pacers and the trade deadline. Over the years, the first name that comes to mind when you hear those two things mentioned is, of course, Myles Turner. But surprisingly, his name is not among the players listed that the Pacers are taking calls on this time around.

The Pacers are open to moving Buddy Hield and Chris Duarte, per @AmicoHoops pic.twitter.com/zcBNJ4iAwz

— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) January 25, 2023

According to Sam Amico of Hoops Wire, the Pacers are open to trading sharpshooter Buddy Hield or second-year player Chris Duarte. 

Sources tell Amico that the Pacers would want a first-round pick as part of any return for Hield. Duarte, who has fallen out of the rotation after a strong rookie year, wouldn't likely command that high of a return. 

As for Turner, head coach Rick Carlisle has already made it clear that he isn't interested in trading the big man, and now opposing teams are hearing the same thing, that Turner isn't available. “That may be a first since he’s been there,” one rival GM half-jokingly told Amico.

Turner, who'll be a free agent at year's end, is having a career year, with personal bests of 15.4 points per game, 7.8 rebounds and 39.1% shooting from beyond the arc. In addition to his floor-spacing, he's once again protecting the rim at an elite rate, with 2.4 blocks per game. 

Hield, 30, is filling it up from three at his usual blistering pace, hitting on 42% from downtown while averaging 17.6 points.

Duarte has seen his minutes and production plummet in his second year, from 13.1 PPG to just 7.4, and from 28.0 minutes per game to just 17.9.