The Indiana Pacers made a bold move at the trade deadline when they decided that mediocrity was not good enough.
Gone were veteran Caris LeVert to the Cleveland Cavaliers and All-Star Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings.
The trade-off was the fewest wins in franchise history since 1984-85 -- but the Pacers gained financial flexibility to reshape the roster, a cornerstone player in guard Tyrese Haliburton and a future first-round draft pick from the Cavs/Pacers.
"We have a point guard of our future," president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said at the trade deadline. "And if you have been in this business a long time, getting a point guard that is young with upside, and you feel like you can build around for the next 10 years, those don't come around very often.
Indiana now enters the offseason with a focus on the June draft, where it has three draft picks, including one of its own, that could land in the top five.
The Pacers also have the option to create over $20 million of cap space to add players in free agency or in a trade.