NBA Rumors: Indiana Pacers Make Young Wing Available In Trade Talks

The Indiana Pacers seem like they'll be one of the busier teams on the trade market over the next month. The latest word has them making last year's star rookie Chris Duarte available.

“There’s indeed a growing sense among rival teams that Indiana will search for upgrades ahead of the Feb. 9 trade deadline”

The Pacers are reportedly going after a power forward and have made Chris Duarte available.

Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/3hKwMADFGi

— Barstool Indy (@barstoolindy) January 12, 2023

Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports says the Pacers will be looking for a power forward, and are dangling Duarte as bait. 

While the Pacers had marked second-year guard Chris Duarte off-limits in trade conversations with some opposing personnel, multiple front office figures told Yahoo Sports that Indiana has since made the 25-year-old available in recent dialogue.

Duarte was the No. 13 pick in the 2021 Draft, and had a strong rookie season, posting marks of 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 37% shooting from beyond the arc. He was named to the All-Rookie Second Team.

But the emergence of Bennedict Mathurin, plus injuries and poor performance in his sophomore year have seemed to push Duarte out of the Pacers' long-term plans. He's played just 21 games this season, averaging only 16 minutes (down from 28 minutes per game last year), with his 6.1 points and 26.8% shooting from long distance being big disappointments. 

The Pacers will be a very intriguing follow over the next four weeks up to the Feb. 9th deadline.

Photo: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports