The Indiana Pacers are likely to face a challenging season without superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton leading the way. After back-to-back Conference Finals appearances and an NBA Finals run, the Pacers are currently predicted to compete for a play-in spot heading into the 2025-26 season. However, this doesn’t mean Indiana can’t position themselves for a future championship run once Haliburton returns healthy.
One potential strategy for the Pacers is to leverage the value of their role players, whose stock may be higher than usual after their deep postseason runs.
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### Pacers Trade Proposal Lands Trey Murphy III From Pelicans
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey recently proposed a trade idea that would see the Indiana Pacers acquire forward Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans.
**Trade Details:**
– **Indiana Pacers receive:** Trey Murphy III
– **New Orleans Pelicans receive:** Obi Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin, a 2030 first-round pick, and a 2032 top-five protected first-round pick
Bailey acknowledges the challenge of acquiring Trey Murphy III, noting, “right from the jump, we’ll acknowledge that pulling Trey Murphy III from the New Orleans Pelicans could be tough. They might insist on a little more draft consideration, but the Indiana Pacers should probably be willing to pay it.”
This deal would also allow Indiana to avoid Bennedict Mathurin’s upcoming restricted free agency. While the Pelicans may be hesitant to part ways with Mathurin, he does possess significant upside as a dynamic scorer.
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### Why the Pacers Should Consider the Trade
Cutting ties with two key contributors—Obi Toppin and Bennedict Mathurin—who played vital roles during the NBA Finals run would undoubtedly sting for the Pacers. However, their trade value might never be higher than it is now. Acquiring a player of Murphy’s caliber would be a significant addition for a team with championship aspirations.
Though the first-round picks being offered are substantial, Haliburton is expected to be back by the time those selections come into play, and those picks will likely fall in the mid-to-late 20s. Murphy’s elite three-and-D skill set would complement both Haliburton and Pascal Siakam perfectly, providing Indiana with a true third star.
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### Why the Pelicans Would Make the Deal
For New Orleans, gaining two high-upside players along with valuable future first-round picks is a smart move, especially as the team won’t be in position to contend during Murphy’s prime years.
Mathurin impressed throughout the NBA Finals, scoring a combined 51 points in Games 3 and 7. His scoring potential rivals anyone on the Pelicans roster aside from Zion Williamson. Meanwhile, Obi Toppin serves as an ideal glue guy—capable of starting or coming off the bench and playing multiple positions thanks to his size and athleticism.
Obeagu Kante of Sports Brodas highlighted the importance of draft capital for the Pelicans:
“Adding two promising players plus valuable future draft capital—specifically a 2030 first-round pick and a 2032 top-5 protected first-round pick—positions the Pelicans well for sustained growth and flexibility. This approach aligns with New Orleans’ long-term rebuilding and talent accumulation strategy.”
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### Conclusion
If both the Indiana Pacers and New Orleans Pelicans are looking to set themselves up for success in the future, this trade could be a win-win. It allows each franchise to build toward their respective goals, balancing immediate competitiveness with smart asset management.
By making bold moves now, the Pacers prepare for a championship window with Haliburton back, while the Pelicans bolster their roster depth and maintain future flexibility through additional draft capital.
https://heavy.com/sports/nba/indiana-pacers/pacers-trade-idea-obi-toppin-elite-wing/
