The Indiana Pacers have never been shy about making aggressive moves to strengthen their roster. In fact, much of the team’s core has been assembled through trades, including four of the five current starters. That list grew this season with the acquisition of Ivica Zubac.
Looking ahead, Indiana expects to be back in the playoff picture with a healthy Tyrese Haliburton leading the way. The Pacers struggled significantly without their star point guard, finishing among the league’s least effective teams when he was sidelined. Even after dealing Zubac in exchange for the No. 5 overall pick, Indiana may not be finished reshaping its roster.
According to reports, the Pacers have expressed interest in pursuing highly regarded wing Trey Murphy III and have already begun exploring a potential deal by reaching out to gauge his availability.
Pacers Reportedly Interested in Trading for Trey Murphy III
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Pacers are among the teams that have reached out to the Pelicans regarding Trey Murphy III. New Orleans reportedly received significant interest in the talented wing ahead of this season’s trade deadline but declined to entertain offers at the time. That stance appears to have softened, with the organization now willing to listen to potential trade proposals.
Murphy has become one of the league’s most sought-after young wings thanks to his combination of scoring, shooting, and defensive versatility. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 21.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting 47 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three-point range. Those numbers highlight the impact he can make even when not serving as a team’s primary offensive option.
Indiana fielded one of the NBA’s most effective starting units during its run to the Finals last season, but the roster makeup has changed. With Bennedict Mathurin no longer providing depth on the wing off the bench, Murphy could represent a significant upgrade. Acquiring him would likely elevate the talent level of the starting lineup, while Aaron Nesmith could either be included in a trade package or shift into a reserve role.
Even with reported interest, completing a deal may prove difficult for Indiana. The Pacers have limited trade assets beyond future draft picks, and their financial situation is becoming increasingly restrictive as they approach the second apron of the luxury tax. In addition, several rival teams could be in a stronger position to put together a more attractive offer for New Orleans.
Indiana Likely Won’t Make a Massive Trade This Offseason
The Pacers are expected to have limited financial flexibility this summer, making a blockbuster move less likely. One of the roster’s biggest needs remains additional depth on the wing, though Indiana may choose to address that internally by giving Jarace Walker a larger role after he emerged as one of the team’s most encouraging performers this past season.
Offensively, the Pacers struggled throughout the year, finishing with the league’s third-lowest scoring attack. The return of Tyrese Haliburton should provide a significant boost on that end of the floor, while the presence of a proven starting center is also expected to help stabilize the lineup and improve overall performance.
Rather than pursuing a headline-grabbing trade, Indiana appears more likely to focus on smaller roster adjustments. The franchise could utilize its midlevel exception to bring in wing depth, and a modest trade remains a possibility as well. If the team fails to take a significant step forward next season, however, larger changes involving key members of the roster could become a consideration down the road.
Leave a Reply