Report: Pacers trying to take on bad contract to receive 1st-round pick
The Indiana Pacers are reportedly trying to acquire a first-round draft pick in exchange for taking on a bad contract from another team, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who described the Pacers' approach as "aggressive."
To counter the incoming salary, Indiana would send Al Jefferson to their trade partner. Jefferson has value as what essentially amounts to an expiring contract; the veteran big man has a $9.8-million cap hold this season, but can be released from the final year of his contract for just $4 million this offseason.
The Pacers currently have $6.9 million in cap space to help facilitate another team's salary dump.
Jefferson, 33, has appeared in just 26 games this season, averaging 6.7 points and 3.9 rebounds per game.