Pacers Linked to Former No 1 Pick in NBA Free Agency
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Indiana Pacers will have to get creative this offseason. They don't have much financial flexibility and will have even less once they sign free agent center Myles Turner to a lucrative long-term deal.
Following the torn Achilles suffered by Tyrese Haliburton in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, the Pacers need help. They could use another ball-handler, although that player does not necessary need to play the point guard position.
Andrew Nembhard is expected to slide into the starting point guard role. Bringing in another wing who could make an impact as a playmaker off of the bench should be a top priority for Indiana.
Ben Simmons #25 of the LA Clippers handles the ball during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 13, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Ben Simmons #25 of the LA Clippers handles the ball during the first half of a game against the Utah Jazz at Delta Center on February 13, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Photo byWith that in mind, the team has been connected as a possible fit for one former No. 1 overall pick.
Read more: Pacers Linked to Familiar Potential Tyrese Haliburton Replacement
ESPN's Bobby Marks has named one intriguing player a "fit" for the Pacers. He thinks that Los Angeles Clippers' free agent Ben Simmons would fit in Indiana.
Simmons was one of a few players mentioned as possible fits. Marks also urged the Pacers to re-sign Turner to a contract worth around three years for $75 million.
This may not be an eye-opening idea, but it's one that could make sense. Simmons has never lived up to the hype that surrounded him when he was selected No. 1 overall in the 2016 NBA Draft, but he is capable of handling the ball, defending, rebounding, and creating open looks for teammates.
During the 2024-25 NBA season split between the Brooklyn Nets and the Clippers, Simmons played in 51 games and recorded 24 starts. He averaged five points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds, while shooting 52 percent from the floor.
At 28 years old, Simmons would be worth taking a one-year flier on. Indiana has nothing to lose with Haliburton likely being out for the entirety of the 2025-26 season.
Read more: Knicks' NBA Free Agency Plans Receive Major Update
Should things work out and Simmons fit in well with the Pacers, the team could consider working out a new deal next offseason. Perhaps they could even sign him to a one-year deal with a team option on a second year.
It's an interesting idea and also one that would not break the bank. Simmons has shown flashes of big-time potential and Indiana could look into the idea of bringing him onboard and giving him a chance to prove himself with Haliburton sidelined.
For more on the Indiana Pacers and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Realistic Trade Idea: Jazz Land Celtics Star And Send Ace Bailey To Boston
Realistic Trade Idea: Jazz Land Celtics Star And Send Ace Bailey To Boston originally appeared on Fadeaway World. The NBA world is still buzzing after Rutgers star Ace Bailey slipped to fifth in the 2025 draft amid a pre-draft showdown, his camp reportedly warned top-five teams (including Utah) he'd refuse to play, and he skirted workouts entirely. Still, the Jazz defied expectations and selected him, and it hasn't worked out well so far, with Bailey having minimal contact with the franchise. Advertisement Though Jazz officials and his agency now say he's set to report this weekend, the shakeup may not end there. The Celtics, intent on clearing cap space and rebooting the roster following the departures of Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, could be toying with a bold deal. Imagine this: they send Jaylen Brown to Utah, acquiring not only hot-shot rookie Ace Bailey but also proven starter John Collins and two future picks (a 2027 first via L.A. Lakers and a 2029 second via Utah). Let's dive into how this blockbuster trade idea works out for all parties. Proposed Trade Details Utah Jazz Receive: Jaylen Brown Boston Celtics Receive: Ace Bailey, John Collins, 2027 First-Round Pick (LAL), 2029 Second-Round Pick (UTA) Jazz Find Their New Franchise Cornerstone In Jaylen Brown Utah would instantly transform its offense by adding a proven wing in Jaylen Brown. In his career matchups against the Jazz, Brown averages 16.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists, a mark of his consistency even against stiff defenses. Advertisement Beyond box score stats, Brown's ability to stretch the floor (.324 3P% in 2024-25 with 22.2 PPG and 4.5 APG) adds a needed scoring punch and secondary playmaking on a Jazz roster that lacks star power. What makes Brown particularly intriguing for Utah is his playoff seasoning and leadership. In the 2025 postseason, he averaged 22.1 pts, 7.1 rebounds, and 3.9 assists playing through some difficult circumstances, including Jayson Tatum's injury. His experience as Finals MVP in 2024, where he put up 20.8 ppg and 5.4 rebounds, makes him a proven closer on big stages. That poised mentality could be exactly what a young Jazz team needs to accelerate a rebuild. Finally, Brown's 4.5 assists per game in 2024-25, a career-best, underscores his evolution into a secondary playmaker capable of improving Utah's offense. With Utah projected to enter a volatile Western Conference, Brown's reliability and two-way capabilities give the Jazz a cornerstone suiting both now and future playoff aspirations. Celtics Move Jaylen for Cheaper Assets Who Are Young With Potential Boston would be prioritizing flexibility and upside by trading Brown for Ace Bailey, John Collins, and future assets. Bailey, a 6'7" Rutgers wing, carries enormous scoring upside, drawing comparisons to Michael Porter Jr. with his smooth jumper and shot creation. Advertisement Though polarizing, due to concerns over shot selection, he was graded a B+ in Utah's draft recap and is seen as a high-upside pick similar to early collegiate Brown and Tatum. John Collins complements Bailey with immediate on-court production: Collins averaged 19.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and an efficient 39.9% from three on 52.7% shooting in 2024-25. His one-year, $26.6M player-option contract provides the Celtics with both current floor spacing and optionality next season, a rare blend of value and flexibility. Finally, the inclusion of draft assets, a 2027 first from the Lakers and a 2029 second from Utah, gives Boston additional future capital. It aligns with their recent pattern of trading Jrue and Porzingis to free up cap space and regain maneuverability. For a reigning contender eyeing both present and future planning, this deal offers young potential, contract control, and future assets in one clean package. A Massive Blockbuster Deal That Could Work Out This trade is structured to benefit both franchises architecturally. For Utah, swapping Bailey for Brown and Collins infuses the roster with veteran leadership and star power. Coupled with supportive shading from Sexton, Clarkson, and young wings, the Jazz can remain competitive while integrating their draft picks. Advertisement It's also notable that Utah is open to trading Collins post-draft, which aligns well, timing-wise, with the Celtics' proposed offer. For Boston, the cap room cleared by Brown's departure enables the pursuit of top-tier free agents or midseason upgrades. They swap one reliable All-Star (Brown's 22.2 ppg, 4.5 apg, .463 FG%) for dynamic youth and draft equity, aligning with a sustainable core. They'd still feature Tatum, Bailey's upside, Collins as complementary frontcourt, and retained flexibility for midseason moves. In summary, this trade is the kind of polished blockbuster that ESPN craves: proven All-Star meets high-upside rookie, tenured role player, and future picks. It maintains Boston's title contention and gives Utah a timetable toward playoff goals. Related: Ace Bailey Will Not Arrive In Utah Until Three Days After Being Drafted, Has Had 'Minimal' Contact With The Jazz This story was originally reported by Fadeaway World on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
42 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Who is the screaming Fever fan disrupting home game broadcasts?
If you've been watching Indiana Fever home games this season, you might have noticed a "distinct voice" interrupting the live broadcasts. The alleged screaming voice has gotten so pronounced that a fan petition has started circulating for the Fever to do something about this on the game's audio mix. Advertisement "During every Fever home game, a distinct and persistent voice—believed to be from a fan seated close to the scorer's table—can be heard loudly and frequently throughout the entire game," petitioner Josh McNattin wrote in response to the alleged noise. "While we celebrate the passion of all fans, this particular sound consistently overpowers other audio elements, including the commentary and ambient crowd noise. As a result, it can detract from the viewing experience for many fans watching from home or streaming online." Of course, noisy fans becoming routine parts of broadcasts are nothing new. The Vandy Whistler has been torturing visiting teams (and their fans) for years. While no one can be sure who exactly is the fan screaming so loudly on the game broadcasts that it has sparked numerous Reddit theories. Perhaps this screaming voice will taper out as time goes on — or once word of the petition gets back to them. Advertisement Or maybe, hopefully, the broadcast will get better at blocking it out for viewers at home. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Who is the screaming Fever fan disrupting home game broadcasts?
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lonzo Ball trade grades: Did the Bulls actually do something kind of good?
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls swapped players Saturday, specifically Isaac Okoro for Lonzo Ball. It's a deal that's actually fairly well-balanced, so let's get into it. Cleveland gets a Ty Jerome replacement With Ball coming in to Cleveland, you can probably rule out a return of free agent Ty Jerome this summer, as Ball is going to take over the backup point-guard role. Advertisement The 27-year-old missed two full seasons due to left knee issues, going through three surgeries, making a stunning comeback this past season by playing 35 games for the Bulls and displaying better movement than most would have anticipated. Cleveland takes a certain level of risk here because Ball is no lock to play 50 or 60 games, but they're swinging on the upside of him being ready for a postseason run. Ball's on-court IQ is substantial, and his defensive know-how remains an asset for any team. Ball signed a two-year extension worth $20 million, which triggers this summer. The second year has a team option in case his injury pattern re-emerges. Basically, the Cavs have an easy out here if needed, so they're only on the hook for his salary this year, which accounts for just 6.47% of the projected salary cap. Advertisement The fact they gave up Okoro, who has become a rarely used wing, won't hurt their depth, with De'Andre Hunter absorbing a lot of those minutes. Grade: A Bulls gain better roster symmetry The Bulls were loaded with guards, and it was frankly time to do something about it. The Bulls extended Ball for this very reason — so they could ship him out in a future trade — showing surprising foresight for an organization that's historically had very little. The yield is Okoro, a 6-foot-5 wing who can hit the corner 3 and play rock-solid defense. He's not a high-volume guy and probably never will be, but he can integrate himself into the fabric of a team where he doesn't feature heavily, and that's not a bad ability to have. Advertisement Okoro will play hard, he'll be an active and switchable defender, and he'll give Chicago needed depth at small forward, with Patrick Williams and Matas Buzelis better suited as natural fours. Okoro's contract is also fine. He signed a three-year deal in 2024 worth $33 million, so a little over $22.8 million is left over the next two seasons. That's a very manageable number, and the Bulls essentially lock in a rotation wing for a number that falls way short of the non-tax MLE, which is actually decent work. Of course, it's still unclear what Chicago's plan is, so in the context of potential follow-up moves, this becomes a tough grade. Advertisement Are they planning to compete and view Okoro as someone who will significantly help get them into the playoffs? If so, that's probably a little too optimistic. Is he instead considered a solid contract who will help steady the secondary rotation? Then that's a bull's-eye. Grade: Incomplete, but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
