The Indiana Pacers are reportedly considering a rebuild; should the Boston Celtics get involved?

The Boston Celtics might have some new trade targets on the horizon in the short-term future based on some new reporting from The Athletic’s Shams Charania. The NBA insider revealed on Tuesday afternoon that the Indiana Pacers were considering a rebuild, and “receptive to trade talks on Caris LeVert, Domantas Sabonis, (and), Myles Turner”.

“In need of a new direction amid a 10-16 start to the season, the Indiana Pacers are moving toward a substantial rebuild and are expected to open up trade conversations around some of their veteran stalwarts,” writes Charania, several of whom could potentially appeal to the Celtics.

Boston fans hoping to pry star point guard Malcolm Brogdon free from the Pacers will have to wait until the offseason given he is ineligible to be traded this season due to league rules related to his recent extension, however, as The Athletic analyst notes.

Of the listed trio of players likely in play, some would fit better than others, but all would require significant offers given the field of other teams likely to pursue said players and Charania’s belief Indiana will not hurry to make a move.

Let’s explore the fit of each of the three.

Myles Turner

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

On one hand, Boston with both Robert Williams III and Turner in the backcourt would be a fearsome sight for opposing offenses — but the hefty salary of the latter player ($17.5 million) makes putting together an offer that wouldn’t be a lateral move for the team seems unlikely.

While such a deal is not out of the question — even though it was reportedly nixed by the team’s previous regime last season — we don’t expect to see the Texas product in green and white this season.

Caris LeVert

Ashley Landis/Pool Photo-USA TODAY Sports

LeVert can help a lot of teams around the league, but given he too is making $17.5 million this season, it looks untenable for Boston to put together a deal focused on the 27-year-old shooting guard.

The Celtics do have the salary to make it work, but the players who would have to be included to make it CBA-legal are about as good or better options for the Celtics, so we don’t expect this to manifest before the deadline either.

Domantas Sabonis

Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Earning a relative bargain at $18.5 million, Sabonis would be a solid fit as a combo big able to play either frontcourt position, though his shooting is a bit of a concern.

But while Boston could likely put together a competitive package, it would not be a clear step forward (such as a trade including Smart, which would then necessitate additional moves), or would not be among the likely most competitive offers.

Other possibilities?

Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

There might be a chance for Boston to consolidate some talent for one of Indiana’s rotation players, like Jeremy Lamb.

But, in our opinion, in a crowded field of likely competitors for the better players likely to move, the Celtics could also use their trade exceptions to absorb players for cap-strapped teams; this is the more likely path for the Celtics to get involved in any Indiana rebuild action.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!

[lawrence-related id=65785,65783,65777,65772]

[listicle id=65786]

[vertical-gallery id=65747]

1

1