The Pacers now have a chance at a big free agent thanks to Knicks trade

The Indiana Pacers are in need of a third star. They need one to compliment Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam if they want to make a run at a championship. It’s something that they need to discuss as free agency approaches and how they want to acquire a third star.

While it might be easier via trade, there are still some avenues to do so in free agency. They are looking for a guy who is either a star already or on the verge of being one. A defensive-minded wing is exactly what they covet to improve them on that side of the court.

OG Anunoby fits that description to a tee. He is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA and is a capable scorer as well. When he was healthy, the Knicks went on a 20-5 tear with him in the lineup. The issue with him has always been health. He’s a free agent now and the Knicks just made a blockbuster move that could be replacing him.

With the Knicks trading Bojan Bogdanovic, four unprotected first-round picks, a protected first-round pick, and some second-round picks, for Mikal Bridges, Anunoby could be on his way out of New York. Despite trading for him in the middle of the season, he no longer has a place on the roster.

If that is the case, the Pacers could be the beneficiary. If they decide to let Obi Toppin go in free agency by renouncing his rights, and doing the same with Doug McDermott, they can get up to $40 million of a cap hit off the books. Renouncing those rights keeps them over the cap, but some other things can be done.

That means the Pacers could sign Anunoby to a contract if they want to if they execute a sign-and-trade. They have some other contract issues that could play a part in the luxury tax, including Jalen Smith opting into his player option. Renouncing all rights to pending free agents, having Smith decline his player option, and waiving non-guaranteed contracts would need to occur too.

This deal has wide implications throughout the NBA. The Pacers could end up being another team that wins in this scenario.