Report: This Indiana Pacers and Golden State Warriors trade features Domantas Sabonis and James Wiseman. Should the Warriors trade for Sabonis?
On December 7, 2021, Shams Charania and Bob Kravitz of The Athletic revealed that the Indiana Pacers are expected to head into a rebuild while making Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner and Caris LeVert available for trade.
With the Indiana Pacers starting the season with a record of 11-16 while being the 13th seed in the Eastern Conference, it's understandable why the Pacers insist on pursuing a rebuild. In the last couple of seasons, the Pacers have been sitting in mediocrity and are most likely fed up repeating the same pattern as last season. Indiana has had their worst start to the season in the last few years and will most likely embrace the idea of a new beginning.
According to Rohan Nadkarni of Sports Illustrated, he entertains the idea of the Golden State Warriors trading for Domantas Sabonis. In the article, Nadkarni dives into multiple trade scenarios, but the one featured was a trade centred around Sabonis and James Wiseman. While the concept of Sabonis intrigued Nadkarni, the overall system fit was a concern with Sabonis on the Warriors.
Golden State is currently the best team in the NBA as they now sit with a record of 21-4. From Stephen Curry having another MVP calibre season to role players such as Jordan Poole reaching his potential, the Warriors have once again constructed a team with little to no flaws. However, since Charania and Kravitz revealed that Indiana would be pursuing a full-blown rebuild, Sabonis has been connected to the Warriors in various trade rumors.
The Warriors currently have one of the most promising young cores in the NBA despite now being the best team in the league. In the last two seasons, the Warriors were sitting in mediocrity and were no longer viewed as a contender in the Western Conference. Golden State's temporary fall allowed them to attain highly valued draft picks, such as James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody. These prospects are most likely why Sabonis and the Pacers have been linked to the Warriors ever since Indiana announced their rebuilding plans. With Golden State having a good selection of young talent, the Warriors would be the best trade partners for the Pacers. However, is Domantas Sabonis even a good fit for the Warriors?
Nadkarni's article revealed what he thought would be a realistic trade if both organizations were serious about completing a transaction. The trade included James Wiseman, Jonathan Kuminga and a first-round pick for Sabonis. Indiana would receive young prospects with loads of All-Star potential. At the same time, the Warriors would attain another All-Star calibre player. This trade on paper makes both teams better in their own ways, but what about on the court?
The Pacers come out as winners in this trade as they receive more than they could have asked for. Even though the Pacers trading a 25-year-old Sabonis is not the wisest decision, this trade fits their needs of wanting to pursue a rebuild as they attain two bright prospects. With Indiana also having goals to trade away Turner and LeVert by the deadline, the Pacers will get their goal fulfilled. However, the Warriors find themselves with a situation they have never experienced or entertained which is, attaining an All-Star center.
During the Warriors reign over the NBA, they focused more on small-ball basketball and eliminated an entire position. Throughout the Warriors dynasty, their best center's was Javale McGee and an old Andrew Bogut. In other words, the Warriors focused more on outside scoring than traditional big-man scoring. Why is this relevant? Sabonis is one of the most traditional bigs in the NBA today. While he can shoot the basketball, he thrives more inside the painted area. Sabonis is averaging 18 PTS, 12 REB, and 4 AST while averaging 58% from the field and 30% on two attempts a game from three. While those statistics would benefit a team like the Boston Celtics, the Warriors would have to slow their pace to ensure that Sabonis is included in the offence. The reality is that Sabonis would struggle on the Warriors as he thrives through the pick and roll, which is a system that the Warriors do not entirely depend on.
Another aspect that needs to be factored about this trade is the role of Draymond Green. Green has been the enforcer, defender, and primary big for the Warriors. By including Sabonis, Green's role would be reduced and would need time to adjust to playing with an elite big. Since being drafted in the NBA, Green has never played alongside an All-Star calibre center, making Sabonis an intriguing fit to the Warriors.
Concluding thoughts
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA and will most likely make the NBA finals this season. With Klay Thompson returning to the team in a matter of weeks, Golden State is close to perfect as they have no flaws. Suppose they consider trading for Sabonis, who is an All-Star calibre center. In that case, it may cause problems on the offence as the Warriors have thrived without having an elite center. Unless the Warriors wanted to pursue a rebuild, Golden State should avoid trading for a traditional screen-setting, pick-and-roll type center. Instead, they should either develop their young players or trade them away for players who complement the Warriors offence.
The Pacers wanting to pursue a rebuild is confusing for several reasons. Sabonis is currently 25-years-old and is currently one of the best centers in the NBA today. Indiana, on paper, has had a solid roster for years but has been a below-average team in the Eastern Conference. Instead of trading away Sabonis, Indiana should first consider trading Myles Turner for a 3&D forward.
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