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The Toronto Raptors have traded veteran combo guard Leandro Barbosa to the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a second round pick. Barbosa has a large expiring contract and the Pacers were well below the cap, which allows them to take on salary without trading back equal value in salary. There were rumors that the Pacers were interested in acquiring New Orleans Hornets center Chris Kaman in a similar deal but they decided on adding another guard instead.

I like this deal for the Pacers. Their team defense this season has been excellent, ranking eighth in the NBA in defensive efficiency, but their offense has left a lot to be desired. Adding someone like Barbosa that can score in bunches and split time at both guard spots was smart and gives Frank Vogel three viable options at point or small shooting guard with Barbosa, Darren Collison and George Hill. Rotations are always tightened in the playoffs so it’s hard to see the Pacers getting contributions from all three of those guards but Barbosa is a nice insurance policy in case of injury and there are no long-term salary implications if Barbosa doesn’t end up contributing this season as he comes off the books right away.

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