dwtaylor1055

5 openings for the 2020-2021 season.  Would be ecstatic if we could land 3 very solid guys.   

25 minutes ago, Hoosierhoopster said:

It's such an odd dynamic. PG bonded with Russ and has bought in fully to OKC.

He just had a genuinely fantastic season, best of his career, and before his shoulder injury, which obviously limited him down the stretch, was flat out killing it and pushing past Harden for #2 in the MVP race (which Greek Freak has locked up imo). 

Adams has been pretty key to that team, a monster up front. They also had to go a full season without Roberson, who makes that team so deep defensively, probably the best perimeter defender in the game, and it's unclear how well he'll return next season, after multiple set backs. 

They definitely need more shooting. Outside of PG, they don't have much in the way of consistent perimeter shooting. They did upgrade their bench with Schroder, but he's not a shooter, and Morris. I think they should keep Adams, but do everything they can to add at least one legit starter-level outside shooter. No one is trading Westbrook from OKC. Man he needs to buy in to distributing more and shooting less.

Terrance Ross would help them as far as shooting goes but I'd rather him be in a Pacers uni before that lol

PG is in a sticky situation in Oklahoma.  RW is an All-star, but struggles with shooting more often than not.  I think the Thunder need to flip Adams for another big and a shooter(stretch 4 or 5 that can step out and be respectable from 3) for equal salaries.  If they do this, they improve IMO. 

42 minutes ago, ChiHoosier said:

Well if Vic was still healthy, the Pacers have the 3 seed and this isn't a conversation. 

While this is possibly true, I'm not sure it would have still been enough to keep ahead of Philly especially with our schedule down the stretch.  Obviously we will never know. 

10 hours ago, ChiHoosier said:

Even if the Pacers have Vic, Boston still wins the series.

Yes if Vic was back I think Boston still wins, however I think it is a 7 game series similar to last season. 

If the Pacers want to advance to the next round of the playoffs, they need another guy on or very close to Vics level.  If they somehow end up as a 1-3 seed then they could handle a 6-8 seeded team.  However if they continually end up as the 4 or 5 seed, another guy close to the level of Vic will be needed. 

8 hours ago, BADGERVOL said:

I respect the knowledge on this board. So I’m gonna ask this question...how good long term can’t giannis become? Assuming he stays healthy...

If Giannis can develop a respectable 3 point shot(somewhere in the high 30's) and jump shot outside of the paint he could be the best player in the league or top 3 easily.  Similar to Ben Simmons, its bad when the defense is 5 feet off of Ben daring him to shoot a jump shot or 3 pointer. 

If Vic was playing this series, the Pacers take this series to a very min of 6 games if not 7.  The Pacers need to pair another All-star level type player with Vic if we want to take that next step.  This offseason is big for this team and the rehab for Vic this offseason is huge.  Anxious to see what all happens

3 minutes ago, Zlinedavid said:

I've always liked Matthews' game.  Not a specialist in anything, but solid all around.

I think once Vic is near full strength, Matthews would be a hell of a 6th man.  Certainly capable as a 2 guard, and has the size and defensive chops to handle being a SF as well (think Kobe in his last few seasons). 

For sure!  Having Matthews and Sabonis as the first two guys off of the bench for next season would be steller and more potent in my opinion than Evans and Sabonis

4 minutes ago, KoB2011 said:

I don't disagree with any of this, but I think it could be a challenge to get Bogey for $15M per year. That dude is one of the more underrated scorers in the NBA. 

True, I am just hoping he will take a little less and give us a slight discount.  I'd even push it to $18 mil per year and if that's the case and everything else I mentioned would occur, Pacers would be over the cap by roughly $500K to $1 mil for the 2019-2020 season. 

I thought Karl Anthony Towns would end up with 60 after the 1st quarter last night.  Pacers showed fight and didn't let the refs distract them a lot during the game I felt.  They missed 3 obvious calls on KAT moving Thad/Myles with his arm by extending and refs didn't blink. 

I knew Wesley Mathews took pride in his defense, energy and leadership, but he's on another level then what I thought.  I think he's our best defender for positions 1-3 hands down and that's including Vic in the fold(please don't shoot me for making this statement).  Also his leadership is already starting to show, multiple times last night Thad(our glue guy) had multiple bad calls against him and was beyond upset with the refs and Wes was right there to calm him down, talk to him in the moment and continue to praise him for his effort on KAT.  He may be 31 or 32, however I would LOVE for the Pacers to bring him back next season on a 2 or 3 year deal.  He provides good solid defense, leadership, energy and is a very respectable 3pt shooter.  I do not think Vic will be ready by start of the season, I think he won't be back into the starting lineup until sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I think Vic plays and is very limited off of the bench until then.   Gimme this group for next season and I would be estatic:

2019-2020 Team Roster:

Starters: Darren/Mathews/Bojan/Thad/Myles

Bench: Holiday & Sumner/Victor/Doug/Leaf/Sabonis

I think you can get Thad for a 3 yr deal at about $11 mil per yr(a good amount of money for a proven veteran and allows him to possibly finish his career here), Wesley for a 2 or 3 yr deal at $11 mil per yr(same thoughts for Wes as Thad) and Bojan on a 3 yr deal at about $15 mil per year.  So that would be around $37 mil for those three, add in Collison at $8 mil per yr(fill this gap until Holiday is ready to start which I think playing a full year in backup point guard minutes next season will do wonders for him and hes the starting point guard for the 2020-2021 season) and Sumner at $1.6 per yr and that puts you around $1.1 mil under the salary cap.  You can get more space by waving Alize(saves $1.4 mil which would bring the total close to $2.5 mil)

4 minutes ago, Billingsley99 said:

The Mavs seem to have had the Pacers number the last few years

Agreed, and they will only get better with Luka and Kristaps moving forward.

12 minutes ago, IU Scott said:

Pacers have not looked good in the last 2 games and lost to teams that we shouldn't have.  Last night was more forgivable since Sabonis and Evans were out.

Agreed, the home and home game in late March/early April will be entertaining that's for sure against Detroit.  They should not have lost to the Pistons, however without Sabonis and Evans I wasn't expecting a win in Dallas.  Really need Evans(can't believe I am saying this) for tonight's game to help the bench.  They have a 3 game lead over Boston, need to really maintain that. 

7 minutes ago, Hoosierhoopster said:

Have to say I'm impressed the P's have maintained the 3rd seed so far after losing Vic, and losing several immediately after losing him. D is A+, and the sharing of the ball is good. In the playoffs, the lack of an allstar - level player will hurt them, but regardless, they've done very well in holding serve.

Agreed. Losing vic(all star) will hurt more in playoffs then regular season. If they share the ball like they have and play stellar defense winning a first rd series is a real possibility, even higher chance of winning if they stay at 3 spot

9 minutes ago, dwtaylor1055 said:

They definitely are the definition of team basketball in the NBA.  On any given night the leading scorer could be one of Bojan/Turner/Sabonis/Wesley/Thad.

 

If the Pacers can finish 11-10 over there next 21 games, I think they can hold the 3rd or even 4th seed.  Basically win all the games against under .500 opponents and come close to splitting the games against over .500 opponents.  Games remaining:

9 games remaining against opponents below .500 winning percentage(Mavericks/Wolves/Magic twice/Bulls/Knicks/Hawks/Pistons twice)

12 games remaining against opponents above .500 winning percentage(Bucks/76ers/Thunder twice/Nuggets twice/Clippers/Trailblazers/Warriors/Celtics twice/Nets)

76ers have the following:

9 games remaining against opponents above .500.

12 games remaining against opponents below .500

Celtics have the following:

12 games remaining against opponents above .500.

9 games remaining against opponents below .500

They definitely are the definition of team basketball in the NBA.  On any given night the leading scorer could be one of Bojan/Turner/Sabonis/Wesley/Thad.

If the Pacers can finish 11-10 over there next 21 games, I think they can hold the 3rd or even 4th seed.  Basically win all the games against under .500 opponents and come close to splitting the games against over .500 opponents.  Games remaining:

9 games remaining against opponents below .500 winning percentage(Mavericks/Wolves/Magic twice/Bulls/Knicks/Hawks/Pistons twice)

12 games remaining against opponents above .500 winning percentage(Bucks/76ers/Thunder twice/Nuggets twice/Clippers/Trailblazers/Warriors/Celtics twice/Nets)

Article regarding Wesley Mathews.  It would not shock me to see the Pacers and Wesley work on a contract to return at seasons end assuming he continues to produce.  He would start at the beginning of next season if Vic isn't quite ready.  If Vic is ready by start of next season and they bring Wes back, Wes could have a very important role off of the bench with meaningful minutes as he can play the 2 and 3 spot. 

https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/matthews-won-over-familiarity-opportunity

1 hour ago, IU Scott said:

I think the Pacers at this time is the 3 seed and I think this signing could keep us there and that would be a good thing.  Being the 3 would allow the Pacers not to play any of the other top teams in the first round.

If we could somehow keep the 3 seed I would be so ecstatic.  March is going to be a tuff test for us.  14 total games, above .500 opponents are 76ers, Bucks, Thunder twice, Denver twice, Portland, Warriors, Celtics).  These 9 games will determine if we keep the 3 seed or not.  Remaining 5 below .500 are Magic twice, Clippers, Knicks, Bulls

Pacers officially signed Edmund Sumner to a 2 year deal this morning(remainder of this season and a team option for the 2019-2020 season).  Assuming we keep him for next season(IMO we will) at the end of the 2019-2020 season he's a RFA

I think after the trade deadline here is how the east will pan out for the remainder of the season:

1.) Bucks 2.) Raptors 3.) 76ers 4.) Celtics 5.) Pacers 6.) Nets 7.) Charlotte 8.) Miami.

The Celtics are slumping right now with no team chemistry(see Marcus Morris comments from the weekend) but they have an all star in Kyrie and Tatum(huge potential) plus with our brutal March schedule I think we slide down to the 5 seed.  Wesley Mathews will start at SG and provide solid defense and a threat from 3pt range.  I think as long as Myles continues his strong play and we continue to play with how we have been playing since the Orlando Magic game a few weeks back, I could see us upsetting Boston in round 1 possibly.   

1 hour ago, IU Scott said:

That would be a good pickup for the Pacers.  We get a second round pick and Staukas and  Baldwin but will waive both of those players.

Wes Mathews has agreed to join the Pacers for the remainder of the season.  My guess is after the all star game he will be starting at SG and allow Tyreke to move back to the bench role where he has been most comfortable.  Wes can stroke the 3 ball, a career 38% shooter from 3.  Averaged 13.1 ppg this season for the Mavericks

Also, the Pacers are converting Edmund Sumner contract to become fully guaranteed so they now have all 15 roster spots filled.

10 minutes ago, KDB said:

Markelle Fultz to Orlando.

This is good for Fultz

Indiana Pacers ARE THE FAVORITES to sign Wes Mathews after he is bought out from the Knicks.  This would be a great pickup for Indy, especially if they sign him to more than just for the remainder of this season. 

32 minutes ago, dwtaylor1055 said:

Trades within the past hour!

Toronto gets Marc Gasol, Grizzlies get Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second round pick

Pacers get Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin, also get a 2nd rd pick.  A tax dump for the Rockets.  Pacers will waive Ike Anigbogu

Clippers get JaMychal Green and Garret Temple, Grizzlies get Avery Bradley

Bucks get Nikola Mirotic, Pelicans get Stanley Johnson and Jason Smith

 

Clippers get Michael Beasley and Ivica Zubac, Lakers get Mike Muscala

Trades within the past hour!

Toronto gets Marc Gasol, Grizzlies get Valanciunas, Delon Wright, CJ Miles and a 2024 second round pick

Pacers get Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin, also get a 2nd rd pick.  A tax dump for the Rockets.  Pacers will waive Ike Anigbogu

Clippers get JaMychal Green and Garret Temple, Grizzlies get Avery Bradley

Bucks get Nikola Mirotic, Pelicans get Stanley Johnson and Jason Smith

1 hour ago, KDB said:

Woj on Twitter:

"Nearly 3 hours away from the NBA's trade deadline and ... the Lakers-Pelicans talks on Anthony Davis are dormant, league sources tell ESPN. No communication, nor an expectation that they'll even speak today. Pelicans seem content to run out the clock."

Since this was posted, there have been about 5 trades within the past hour