Both teams have to part ways with a good portion of their young cores in this trade package. The Pacers part ways with Oladipo, like in every trade scenario, along with former Texas Longhorns center Myles Turner. In return, the Bulls give their most fruitful trade package yet.
The Pacers had a very difficult time making the frontcourt pairing work between Turner and the former Gonzaga Bulldogs big man Domantas Sabonis in the past two seasons. As Sabonis rose to true stardom in the last calendar year, Turner has maintained a steady role. But Turner is a great modern center that is still getting better each passing year.
In the season that is about to resume next month, Turner is averaging 11.8 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.8 steals, and 2.2 blocks. He shot 45.1 percent from the field, about 34.0 percent from beyond the arc, and 75.0 percent from the free-throw line. That amounted to 3.7 win shares and a 56.1 true shooting percentage so far this season.
What the Bulls have to send in return here is the former Arizona Wildcats power forward Lauri Markkanen, center Wendell Carter Jr., and small forward Otto Porter Jr. Both Oladipo and OPJ carry large contracts, but the latter of the two is much more sizable. Oladipo can at least play at a star-caliber level when he’s healthy, something OPJ has yet to show so far.
Markkanen and WCJ are the biggest part of this trade deal, though, as they’ll look to find more success with a fresh start with a divisional foe.