Milwaukee Bucks: 5 Ways Trade Deadline Affected Their Playoff Run

Nov 4, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34), guard Michael Carter-Williams (5) and forward Khris Middleton during the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Milwaukee won 91-87. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

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Feb 16, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers forward Paul George (13) brings the ball up court against the Washington Wizards at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Washington defeats Indiana 111-98. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

Pacers Stood Pat

Heading into deadline day on Thursday, the Indiana Pacers seemed to have two options. They could have used their assets to add strong pieces to the rotation to put the best possible roster around star wing Paul George. Their second options was to trade Paul George to maximize his value ahead of his unrestricted free agency in the summer of 2018.

Talks with Denver, Atlanta, Los Angeles and Boston all occurred to gauge the packages available for George, but ultimately the All-Star forward stayed put. However the Pacers also failed to make any other moves to improve the roster, keeping their rotation intact barring an addition from a 10-day contract or signing a buyout candidate.

The Indiana Pacers are 30-28, four games up on the Milwaukee Bucks and currently in sixth place in the East. By keeping Paul George, the Pacers have ensured they will not collapse this season. Replacing him with a bundle of young players and draft picks may have doomed the Pacers to the lottery.

But Indiana also did not add any pieces, and that means they may struggle to stay ahead of Milwaukee if the Bucks can go on a run. Another thin team, if anyone in the starting rotation gets hurt the Pacers could leave themselves vulnerable to not only losing their playoff position, but losing Paul George down the line.

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