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Biggest winners and losers of the NBA trade deadline

By Jack Duggan

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tries to pass over Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 27: LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers tries to pass over Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
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Biggest winners and losers of the NBA trade deadline
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 11: Chris Duarte #3 and Tyrese Haliburton #0 of the Indiana Pacers look on in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on February 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Biggest winners and losers of the NBA trade deadline. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

Winners of the NBA trade deadline: Indiana Pacers/Myles Turner

In one of the most shocking moves of the week, the Indiana Pacers sent two-time All-Star forward Domantas Sabonis, Jeremy Lamb, and Justin Holiday to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Buddy Hield, Tristian Thompson, and most notably, Tyrese Haliburton.

Giving up Sabonis signals a clear change in organizational trajectory in Indiana. Finally, it seems that the front office is planning for the future, dealing some of their better players at the deadline. Sabonis and Caris LeVert may be gone, but I believe that the future is bright in Indiana.

While Indiana did trade the best player in this deal, I think it is clear that they received the player with the most upside. The combination of Myles Turner and Sabonis had clearly run its course in Indiana, and while the two players were friends, sharing the court together was seemingly holding them both back. Now, having the ability to pair Myles Turner with a young dynamic guard, the Pacers have a lot to look forward to.

Haliburton has shown to be an incredibly versatile pick and roll guard, he has an excellent floater, and has displayed talented lob passing skills. It is yet to be seen exactly how he and Turner will fit together, but the prospect should be very exciting for Pacer fans.

The Pacers might take a few years to really become serious again, but a young core of Haliburton, Turner, and Chris Duarte is a great place to start.