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Indiana Pacers: 3 Potential Trade Targets To Pair With Paul George

By Brendan Galella

Jan 7, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball in the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 123-109.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 7, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) dribbles the ball in the second half of the game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the New York Knicks 123-109.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers
Jan 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) and New Orleans Pelicans forward Terrence Jones (9) tie up a ball in the second half of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat New Orleans Pelicans 98-95.Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

New Orleans Pelicans

The trade: Monta Ellis and a 2017 First round pick to New Orleans for Tyreke Evans and Terrence Jones

New Orleans is only three losses behind Denver for the final playoff berth in the Western Conference, but have plenty of competition for the spot.

In order to clinch a postseason slot for the second time in the past six seasons, the Pelicans must surpass not only the Nuggets, but the Trail Blazers and Kings in the standings.

The Pelicans have their own superstar to appease, but Anthony Davis has already voiced his desire to remain with the team and is under contract until at least 2020, with a player option the following year.

Davis wants point guard Jrue Holiday to remain with the team, but the other playmaker on an expiring contract, Tyreke Evans, could be a potential trade chip.

Evans has been a polarizing figure in New Orleans since his arrival four years ago, but his complete game could serve as a nice complement to George in Indiana.

New Orleans has yet to start Evans this season, but in 25 starts a year ago, Evans averaged 15.2 points, 6.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game while converting 38.8 percent of his attempts from beyond the arc.

If the pairing of Evans and George isn’t the right fit, the team could simply let him walk in free agency this summer, while the addition of Terrence Jones provides the Pacers a stretch-4 on a reasonable contract.

The Pelicans could then have two possible lottery picks if Indiana falters after the trade and they fail to make the postseason while also adding Ellis, a potent scorer that could come off the bench for New Orleans.

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