Indiana Pacers Rumors: Big Trade Coming Before Draft

The Indiana Pacers have no less than five picks in the upcoming 2023 NBA
Draft. But the word circling through league circles is that the team will almost undoubtedly be packing some of those with perhaps other player assets in order to replace their draft quantity with quality.

According to Insider Marc Stein, "the rumbles are rising in volume" that the Pacers will be moving up in the 2023 Draft. 

Indiana currently holds one lottery pick, No. 7, plus the Nos. 26 and 29 picks. In the second round, they hold No. 32 and No. 55. 

The Indiana Pacers have three picks (7, 26 and 29) and are expected to be active on draft night, and looking to move up.

Indiana is believed to be the team MOST INTERESTED in making a deal to select Brandon Miller, but it is unknown at this point who they're willing to give up… pic.twitter.com/woBUEqmWT0

— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) May 24, 2023

As noted by Stein, one factor playing in the Pacers' favor of being able to pull off such a move is that several of the top picks seem to be available for trade, so there's plenty of opportunity to swing a deal. 

The Portland Trail Blazers at No. 3, the Houston Rockets at No. 4 and the Detroit Pistons, with the 5th pick, are all said to be more than willing to move off their spots for the right deal.

All three of those aforementioned teams are looking to step up into contender status this coming season, and could welcome a trade scenario that would land them, for instance, a strong center like Myles Turner, and/or a top sharpshooter like Buddy Hield in addition to some draft capital a bit lower in the proceedings. 

Keep an eye on the Pacers as the draft approaches.

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports