NBA Trade Verdict
Pacers Win
Indiana converted the rights to Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu into Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts and cash, adding several useful rotation pieces.
July 9, 2008 Indiana Pacers / Portland Trail Blazers Record confidence: High
Indiana Pacers Received
- Player Jarrett Jack
- Player Josh McRoberts
- Draft Rights rights to Brandon Rush
- Cash cash considerations
Portland Trail Blazers Received
- Player Ike Diogu
- Draft Rights rights to Jerryd Bayless
Trade Analysis
This draft-night deal gave the Pacers multiple contributors instead of concentrating value in one prospect. Brandon Rush became a regular wing, Jarrett Jack supplied productive guard minutes and Josh McRoberts developed into a useful frontcourt piece. Portland received Jerryd Bayless, who had an NBA career but never became a foundational player, plus Ike Diogu. None of the assets became a star, so the grade should not be exaggerated, but Indiana received more usable depth and more cumulative value from the package. That makes the transaction a clear but mid-tier Pacers Win.