The Indiana Pacers are nearing a trade that will send third-year guard Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for draft compensation, per NBA insider Shams Charania.
The Indiana Pacers are nearing a trade sending guard Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings for draft compensation, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2023
Duarte entered the league as the Pacers’ No. 13 overall pick in the 2021 draft. In his rookie season, the former Oregon star averaged 13.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game on 43.2% shooting from the field. But, his Year 2 production took a serious dip as he missed 36 games due to injury.
The Pacers and Kings are familiar trade partners. Last year, the two sides agreed on a blockbuster deal that sent Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson to Indianapolis in exchange for Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb and a 2023 second-round draft pick.
If Duarte, 26, can stay healthy this coming season, he should be a solid backcourt addition for a Kings team that’s coming off its best season in recent NBA memory.
Stay tuned for updates on the exact compensation details of this reported trade.