Proposed Trade Between Lakers and Pacers Shows What's Wrong With NBA

After losing in the NBA Finals to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Indiana Pacers are expected to remain one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference, although they will clearly take a step back with Tyrese Haliburton ruled out for the season with a torn Achilles.

Andrew Nembhard is more than capable of taking over playmaking duties, although Indiana is simply losing an All-NBA player. Regardless of position or role, that will hurt.

As a result, the Pacers have already been included in trade rumors. Bennedict Mathurin, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker have all been included in speculation. For now, speculation is just that, although there is some merit to their making a trade.

Mathurin's value is at an all-time high, Toppin is a movable salary who will get them back under the luxury tax after they extend Myles Turner, and Walker has not blossomed in Indiana and could use a change of scenery.

While mock trades can be realistic, one from The Wrightway Sports Network simply misses the point. 

Full Mock Trade Details:

• Los Angeles Lakers Receive: 2026 first-round pick, 2027 first-round pick, 2029 first-round pick, 2030 first-round pick, Myles Turner, Bennedict Mathurin

• Indiana Pacers Receive: Austin Reaves

First of all, this trade doesn't work. Turner is expected to sign a contract worth roughly $35 million per season this summer, so the Pacers would send out around $45.1 million while taking on only $13.9 million in Reaves. On top of that, Indiana can't trade back-to-back picks, so two of those selections would have to be changed for swaps, not outright trades.

The Lakers have long been linked to Turner despite the Pacers seeming hell-bent on keeping him in town, and the desire seems to go both ways. While Reaves would be an excellent fit in a Haliburton-less backcourt, four picks (or swaps) is way too much for a second or third option, and Turner and Mathurin are more than just matching salary, although they don't even do that. 

The proposed trade is a sobering reminder that the NBA offseason can quickly go off the rails with speculation and creativity, although a degree of realism is required, especially for a team that just made the Finals and shouldn't be eager for a total restructure of the roster. 

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