Indiana’s BIG 3 DREAM? Pacers Linked to Phoenix’s $194M BEAST—Rivals WON’T See This Coming!
The NBA offseason is always full of surprises, but few potential moves could shake up the league like the Indiana Pacers making a blockbuster trade for a Phoenix Suns superstar. With Tyrese Haliburton emerging as one of the best young point guards in the league and Pascal Siakam proving to be a perfect co-star, the Pacers are just one major piece away from forming a legitimate Big 3 capable of contending in the Eastern Conference. Rumors are swirling that Indiana could be preparing a massive offer for one of Phoenix’s high-priced stars, and if this deal happens, it could send shockwaves through the NBA.
The Phoenix Suns are in a precarious position. Despite having a roster loaded with talent, their 2023-24 season ended in disappointment, and financial pressures are mounting. With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal eating up most of their salary cap, the Suns may be forced to make a tough decision—especially if they want to improve their depth and flexibility. This is where the Indiana Pacers could swoop in with an aggressive offer. The Pacers have a treasure trove of young talent, draft picks, and tradeable contracts that could entice Phoenix to part ways with one of their stars. But who would be the most realistic—and impactful—target for Indiana?
Kevin Durant’s name will always generate buzz in trade talks, but given his age (35) and the Suns’ reluctance to fully rebuild, a deal seems unlikely unless Phoenix completely pivots. Devin Booker is the face of the franchise and virtually untouchable. That leaves Bradley Beal, the $194 million shooting guard who has struggled to stay healthy and hasn’t quite fit seamlessly alongside Durant and Booker. Beal’s massive contract (four years, $207 million remaining) makes him a difficult player to move, but the Pacers could be one of the few teams with both the assets and the willingness to take on that kind of salary.
If Indiana were to acquire Beal, the fit alongside Haliburton and Siakam would be fascinating. Haliburton is the elite playmaker who can run the offense, Siakam is the versatile two-way forward who can score inside and out, and Beal would bring the explosive scoring punch the Pacers sometimes lack in half-court situations. Beal, when healthy, is still one of the most dangerous three-level scorers in the league, capable of dropping 30 on any given night. His ability to create his own shot would take pressure off Haliburton in late-game scenarios, and his experience as a former All-NBA player would bring much-needed playoff pedigree to a young Pacers squad.
But what would it take to get a deal done? The Suns would likely demand a combination of young players like Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, or Andrew Nembhard, along with multiple first-round picks. Indiana might also need to include salary fillers like Buddy Hield or Obi Toppin to make the money work. While giving up Mathurin would hurt, the chance to add a proven star like Beal might be too good to pass up. The Pacers have been cautious with their assets in recent years, but with Haliburton entering his prime, now might be the time to go all-in.
Of course, there are risks. Beal’s injury history is concerning—he’s played 60+ games just twice in the last six seasons. His defensive effort has also waned in recent years, which could be problematic for a Pacers team that has built its identity on hustle and effort. Additionally, locking in nearly $50 million per year for Beal would limit Indiana’s flexibility moving forward, making it harder to fill out the roster with quality role players.
However, the upside is undeniable. A Haliburton-Beal-Siakam trio would instantly make Indiana one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league. Haliburton’s elite passing, Beal’s scoring, and Siakam’s two-way versatility would create matchup nightmares for opponents. The Pacers already showed flashes of greatness last season, pushing the Celtics to six games in the Eastern Conference Finals. Adding a player of Beal’s caliber could be the move that pushes them over the top.
The Eastern Conference is wide open after Boston’s championship run. The Bucks are aging, the 76ers are in flux, and the Knicks are still figuring out their ceiling. If the Pacers make this bold move, they could position themselves as the biggest challengers to the Celtics’ throne.
Will Phoenix actually entertain trading Beal? That remains to be seen. The Suns have given no indication they want to break up their core, but if they struggle early next season, the pressure to make a change will intensify. Meanwhile, the Pacers have the assets and the ambition to make a franchise-altering move. If they pull this off, the rest of the NBA better watch out—because Indiana’s Big 3 could be coming sooner than anyone expects.
One thing is certain: if this trade happens, rivals won’t see it coming—and the Pacers could suddenly become the most exciting team in the East.
