Indiana Sold the No. 50 Rights for Cash and an Unconditional Pick
The Pacers selected Jarrell Brantley from the College of Charleston with the fiftieth choice in the 2019 NBA draft, then traded his rights to Utah. Indiana's official announcement, released June 21, identifies the return as cash considerations plus an unconditional second-round selection in 2021. That is stronger compensation than cash alone because the club secured another chance to draft a player without needing a protected condition to be met. Utah wanted an athletic forward it could develop within its own system, while the Pacers collected two modest future-building assets.
Brantley Reached the Utah Roster as a Deep Reserve
Brantley made his NBA debut for the Jazz and remained under their control across the next two seasons. He played nine regular-season games in 2019-20, followed by 28 appearances in 2020-21, totaling 37 NBA games for Utah. His role was limited, mostly behind established playoff contributors, and he did not become a reliable starting forward. The Jazz also developed him through their minor-league program. Those developmental assignments can help explain why the club valued the rights, but only the actual Utah NBA appearances should count as acquired league output.
The Pacers Received a Later Draft Choice Without a Protection Risk
Indiana's return included the unconditional 2021 second-rounder, providing a guaranteed selection independent of Utah's eventual win total or draft position. The choice reached the late second round in 2021. The Pacers also secured cash at the time of the exchange, though the official news release did not state a dollar amount. It would be an error to credit Indiana with the professional accomplishments of every player who later held the pick or of another team that may have acquired the rights. The asset's immediate importance was a real future draft position plus a financial payment.
The Clubs Chose Different Forms of Second-Round Value
The Jazz acquired a fringe NBA forward they could develop and briefly deploy, giving them actual playing minutes from a late draft pick. Indiana preferred flexibility: cash immediately and another second-round choice two years later. Neither organization uncovered a cornerstone, and Brantley's relatively short NBA stint doesn't justify a decisive Utah victory. Conversely, Indiana's pick and payment should not be dismissed because the Pacers didn't receive an established veteran on draft night. The best retrospective treats the exchange as broadly balanced, with a slightly stronger Indiana asset grade and the Jazz credited for getting Brantley into games.
Final Verdict
Even Trade. Indiana earns B- for obtaining cash plus an unconditional 2021 second-round selection when it sold Jarrell Brantley's draft rights. Utah earns C+ because Brantley reached the Jazz rotation for 37 games across two seasons but did not hold a regular starting role. Both teams received limited but genuine value from a late second-round agreement.