The Indiana Pacers have been urged to consider pursuing a $45 million trade with the Milwaukee Bucks.
The NBA offseason has arrived for the Indiana Pacers.
Unlike the last two years, the Pacers are not participating in the NBA Playoffs. Just one year removed from taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the team mustered up a 19-63 overall record throughout the 2025-26 season.
Tyrese Haliburton missed the entire year due to the Achilles tear he suffered in Game 7. Plenty of other key players missed large chunks of time for Indiana.
Despite the down year, there are a lot of reasons to be excited about the future for the Pacers.
First, Haliburton will make his return to the court next season. They still have Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and other key role players from the NBA Finals run. In addition, they now have Ivica Zubac, who they acquired at the trade deadline from the Los Angeles Clippers.
On Sunday, Indiana has a chance to win the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Currently, the Pacers hold the No. 2 overall pick and are tied for the best odds to get the top selection.
With that being said, Indiana is headed into a key offseason for the franchise.
Last season, it was clear that the Pacers were perhaps just one piece away from winning their first NBA championship. One potential need entering this offseason will be to add more elite three-point shooting.
Keeping that in mind, Indiana has been urged to consider pursuing a trade with the Central Division rival Milwaukee Bucks.
Sports Illustrated's Alex Golden has named Bucks' sharpshooter AJ Green as a potential target for the Pacers this offseason.
"The Bucks’ offseason hinges on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future. If Milwaukee pivots toward a rebuild, players like AJ Green could become available," Golden wrote.
"Green emerged as a reliable starter, shooting 41.9% from three while averaging 10.4 points per game. His shooting and improving defense would give Indiana valuable spacing and depth behind Aaron Nesmith."
Green is coming off of a 2025-26 NBA season with Milwaukee that saw him play in 78 games and make 68 starts. He averaged 10.4 points per game to go along with 2.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists, while shooting 42.4 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from three-point range.
Only time will tell what Indiana will do this offseason. There are a lot of avenues to consider that would improve the roster.
All of that being said, the Pacers still aren't far away from a championship. With a healthy Haliburton back on the court, Indiana will be a contender to start next season.