Executives around the NBA believe that the Pacers may explore trading one of their veteran point guards before this season’s deadline, writes ESPN’s Brian Windhorst.
As Windhorst outlines, while Darren Collison has been Indiana’s starting point guard over the last two seasons, he has roughly split the position with Cory Joseph — Collison has averaged 29.0 minutes per game since joining the Pacers, while Joseph has played 26.7 MPG.
Both Collison and Joseph are in contract years, creating some uncertainty about whether they’ll remain in Indiana beyond this season. Meanwhile, rookie guard Aaron Holiday, who entered the team’s regular rotation when Victor Oladipo went down last month, has impressed the Pacers, and Indiana won’t necessarily want to relegate him back to the bench with Oladipo on the verge of returning. Trading either Collison or Joseph would open up minutes for the rookie.
The Pacers, who currently rank fourth in the Eastern Conference with a 17-10 record, will be looking to make a playoff run this spring and won’t want to harm their short-term outlook with a trade. While Collison and Joseph may not be long-term building blocks in Indiana, they’ve been key contributors, with Collison averaging 11.6 PPG, 5.4 APG and a .479/.442/.851 shooting line over the last two seasons, while Joseph has chipped in 7.8 PPG and 3.3 APG on .433/.365/.713 shooting. Any deal would probably have to return immediate help at another position.
There’s no shortage of teams in need of point guard help around the league, though it’s not clear if a trade with a rebuilding club would make the most sense. Collison or Joseph probably wouldn’t welcome a move from a top-four seed to the league-worst Suns, for instance, and even though they’ve sought a reliable point guard, the Suns likely wouldn’t give up much of value for a veteran on an expiring contract. A deal involving a playoff contender like the Sixers, Spurs, or even the Magic might be a better fit, though that’s just my speculation.
I agree Luke, I could see the Sixers trading for Cory Joseph
I don’t see the Pacers making a deal with the Sixers, who they will be battling for playoff positioning this year.
Denver had interest in Collison last year, not sure if they do any longer.
I doubt Denver has interest since they have Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, and IT (who hasn’t played a game yet)
I hear you, but I don’t think of Murray or IT as point guards that can set the table and control the offense. Morris can do that, but he doesn’t have a lot of experience.
If Denver traded away Will Barton for Collison and a young player or a pick, they improve their cap situation long term, add a “floor general” that has playoff experience, and give themselves options this summer.
If Denver could somehow get Sabonis and Collison for Barton? That’s a home run that makes Plumlee expendable, further cleaning up their cap so they have money to pay all their young guys.
Sabonis and Collison?! are you crazy….Barton isn’t even on the same level as Sabonis let alone Collison.
jriley1133, are you trying to say Collison is better than Sabonis??? Couldn’t disagree more, Sabonis is a great player, Collison is an average bench guy thrust into a starting role. Also a very good center is always hard to get & sooo important, while point guards come a dozen a dime, sooo many in the league that you can always get one, hence why is unbelievable Phoenix haven’t got one, but centers man they play a pivotal role & a good one is really hard to come by.
By the way Barton is better than Collison, but Sabonis is better than Barton that is for sure
????? Why would Indiana do that?
there is no way indy traded Sabo
*trades
Collison has taken on the type of role he would have with the Suns before in his career. He’s exactly what the Suns need right now if they’re looking to stabilize that situation at a low price point. He’s probably easily resignable if it works out, and expiring if it doesn’t. Ariza would fit nicely on the Pacers too. Works straight up +/- a contract. Starting veteran PGs on winning teams don’t get traded in-season too often without a similar one coming back.
There is the third team for the Lakers to do the Ariza trade!
Collison to the magic makes a lot of sense
Common sense (Holiday is their only returning point guard) says the Pacers will try to re sign Sabonis, Bogdonovich, and Collison first and go from there.