Not A Lot Of Flash, But A Solid Trade Deadline For the Pacers

The Indiana Pacers have now won 4 in a row and after yesterday’s trade deadline they just got better. The Pacers waived second year forward Ike Anigbogu and sent cash considerations to the Houston Rockets for guards Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin IV, and a 2021 second round pick. Anigbogu was often injured and spent most of his time with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He was the obvious choice for what Pacers' player would be cut.

Ike Anigbogu Photo Credit: IndyStar

The Pacers then waived Stauskas and Baldwin IV. It was the third time the two had been traded in a week. So everybody please take a moment of silence for the end of the Stauskas and Baldwin IV era.

Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin IV Photo Credit: NBA.com

The Pacers did this deal to give the Rockets cap relief which is why the Pacers were rewarded with a second round pick. This left the Pacers with two open roster spots. The team moved quickly; they are converting Edmond Sumner’s two way deal and are signing veteran guard Wesley Matthews to a veteran minimum deal once he clears waivers. Matthews just a secured a buyout from the New York Knicks. Matthews is going to be a great add for the Pacers. The main thing is he is going to be bring perimeter defense back to the starting lineup. A solid perimeter defender has been missing from the starting lineup since Victor Oladipo went down with his season-ending injury. Cory Joseph is a great perimeter defender, but he is a point guard so there are many match-up problems that come with starting him a shooting guard. It also brings back three points shooting which has been missing from the starting line-up with Tyreke Evans and Cory Joseph being the starting as of late. Matthews is a 38.2% career three point shooter who averages 13.8 points per game in his career. This season in 46 games with the Dallas Mavericks and the Knicks he is averaging 12.8 points per game while shooting 37.4% from three. As Thad Young said last night about Matthews, “It’s the perfect pickup.”

Wesley Matthews Photo Credit: Mavs Moneyball

While I believe Matthews is going to be a major factor for the Pacers I would not expect him to start until next Wednesday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. This will give him time to come off the bench and learn the Pacers’ offense. I could be wrong, which is very possible, and he could be starting Saturday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. All in all, while it was not a flashy trade deadline for the Pacers I believe they got better and still left themselves in good shape for this upcoming off-season.