Kevin Pritchard moves that people have questioned:
1. Traded Paul George for Oladipo and Sabonis. Was considered a fleece and not enough for PG.
Results:
- Oladipo became an All Star, MIP award in 2018, and made 3TM All-NBA.
- Sabonis became a 2 time All-Star with Indy.
- Back to back 48 win seasons/playoff births after shipping a franchise player out.
2. Got Aaron Nesmith in a Malcolm Brogdon trade. Was told they got nothing of value out that trade.
Results:
- Nesmith goes on to became one of the best 3 & D wings ITL and a key starter on a Finals team.
3. Traded Caris LeVert after averaging 18.7 PPG in a stretch. People expected a better return and called that a steal for the Cavs.
Results:
- Used one of the picks in the trade to draft Andrew Nembhard.
4. Traded Sabonis for Haliburton. Reportedly preferred Haliburton over DeโAaron Fox in a trade for Sabonis and that received instant backlash.
Results:
- Haliburton became a franchise superstar and led the Pacers to 2 ECF and a Finals appearance.
5. Traded 3 first-round picks and Bruce Brown for Pascal Siakam and then gave him a max contract after a deep playoff run. People said that was too much compensation for Siakam and a max contract was a huge overpay.
Results:
- Siakam has made 2 All Stars with Indy and helped them get to the Finals. He has outperformed his contract if anything.
6. Traded Mathurin, IJax, 2029 1st, Mavs 2028 2nd, and a 2026 lottery pick for Ivica Zubac.
Results:
- TBD. But people are saying similar things about this move as they were about the others listed.
At some point, people need to realize that maybe Kevin Pritchard and the Pacers front office are just better at evaluating talent and building a team than some of the nerds on this app that grade trades the day they happen. His track record has been pretty good, so not sure why so many question his judgement so much. He and Chad built a team good enough to make the franchiseโs first Finals appearance in 25 years.
#TrustKP