With Victor Oladipo out for the rest of the 2018-19 campaign (knee surgery), the Pacers needed more backcourt help. However, Stauskas and Baldwin IV are expected to be waived. Therefore, neither will provide much of anything to the Pacers at this time. The incentive for the Pacers here was to add another future draft pick from Houston. Indiana does need more help in the wake of Oladipo being out for the season, but they may decide to go with what they have at this point.

In less than a week, Stauskas and Baldwin IV have gone from Portland, to Cleveland, to Houston and now to Indiana. Suddenly, the Rockets' newfound depth has taken a major hit (with James Ennis III gone to Philadelphia, followed by this deal). There simply would not have been much playing time for the two guards with James Harden and Chris Paul around, so Houston moved Stauskas and Baldwin IV quickly, along with a second rounder, and got back some cash.

Stauskas and Baldwin IV are probably tired of moving at this point. After they are waived, both can choose where they want to play (which will probably feel good).