Basketball Players who Played for Suns and Pacers
There is a good chance that if you’ve found this page then you’re playing the Immaculate Grid.
That also means that today’s grid has asked for players that have played for both the Phoenix Suns and Indiana Pacers.
And, it also means that you’re probably stuck on this particular box and you’re looking for a little help. Sound about right so far?
Well, good news, you’re in the right place.
I’ve done some research and have found players who played for both the Suns and the Pacers.
T.J. Warren
During his sophomore year, T.J. Warren led the ACC in scoring and was named the ACC Player of the Year. He then declared for the NBA draft and was selected 14th overall by the Phoenix Suns in 2014.
With the Suns, Warren developed his scoring skill set and became a reliable option on offense. He showcased his potential as a scorer, but it wasn’t until he was traded to the Indiana Pacers in 2019 that he really began to flourish.
In the 2019-20 season, Warren had a standout performance in the NBA bubble, scoring a career-high 53 points and averaging over 31 PPG in the seeding games. His offensive explosion elevated his status in the league. Unfortunately, Warren’s career was derailed by a foot injury that he never seemed to fully bounce back from.
Jermaine O’Neal
Jermaine O’Neal is most recognized for his time with the Indiana Pacers. A versatile center and power forward, O’Neal’s career spanned 18 seasons from 1996 to 2014, during which he played for multiple teams, including the Trail Blazers, Heat, Celtics, Suns, and Warriors.
Selected directly out of high school by the Trail Blazers in the 1996 NBA Draft, O’Neal spent his initial seasons in a limited role. However, upon being traded to the Pacers, he flourished and became a key player, earning six All-Star selections and being named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2001-02 season.
O’Neal’s prime years in Indiana were marked by consistent scoring and rebounding, as well as a robust defensive presence that earned him multiple All-NBA nods. Despite the individual accolades, team success eluded O’Neal, as the Pacers made several playoff appearances but never reached the NBA Finals during his tenure.
O’Neal Key Stats
- All NBA (Pacers)
- All-Star (Pacers)
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Pacers)
- 10+ Rebounds/Game Season (Pacers)
Jalen Rose
Jalen Rose had a successful 13-year career in the NBA. Rose was selected 13th overall by the Denver Nuggets in the 1994 NBA Draft, and had stints with the Indiana Pacers, Chicago Bulls, Toronto Raptors, and New York Knicks.
Rose’s most successful years came with the Pacers, where he played a vital role in the team reaching the NBA Finals in 2000. That season, he averaged 18.2 points per game and proved himself to be a strong performer in the playoffs.
Post-retirement, Rose transitioned to a media career and has become a prominent sports analyst. Rose also established the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy, a public charter school in his hometown of Detroit, underscoring his commitment to educational reform and community service.
Rose Key Stats
- 20+ Points/Game Season (Pacers, Bulls)
- 5+ Assists/Game Season (Nuggets, Pacers, Bulls, Raptors)
Torrey Craig
Torrey Craig was undrafted but worked his way into the league after playing professionally overseas and in the NBA G League. Craig made his NBA debut with the Denver Nuggets during the 2017-2018 season. Known for his defensive prowess and hustle, Craig has carved out a role in the league as a valuable role player.
One of his career highlights came during the 2020-2021 season when he played for both NBA Finals teams, the Bucks and the Suns, in the same season. He was traded from the Bucks to the Suns during the season, then faced his former team in the Finals.
He actually won an NBA championship ring with the Milwaukee Bucks, despite playing for the Suns during the Finals, due to the league’s rules about receiving a ring if traded during the championship season.
