DC2345

The Pacers have been doing background work on Atkinson.

Shams said that the Pacers are interviewing about 12 candidates and then cutting the list. So that means not everyone on that initial list by Woj interviewed. It was also said that Chauncey wasn't going to interview until the in person interviews started.

Donovan interviewed with the Pacers last week.

Billy Donovan could be coaching in the hoosier state....

Wouldn’t mind it. The salary for Hayward could be a problem though. The Pacers are going to be open for business in trades this offseason since they don’t have any cap space.

This time arounf gives me more hope since they are actually doing a real coaching search. They aren't just hiring someone because it's convenient.

Jackson didn't get along with the front office. That's why he's not gotten another job among other reasons. Billups is unproven but that's why they are doing their due diligence. He brings playing experience that can relate to players and he's been rumored for a while to get some kind of coaching or fron office gig.

According to Woj Chauncey Billups has interest in the Pacers job and is a candidate.

This is 100% correct. The last 2 players that have made any real impact that the Pacers drafted were Paul George 10th pick and Myles Turner 11th pick. Paul George became a star and Myles has flashes. They've missed on other picks but so do a lot of teams that are always picking outside the top 14 picks.

Not a chance. That would be awful.

You won't get a star for Vic and you'll also end up with nothing when he leaves. If you can get 2 rotation players, a young player that could develop, and a top end lottery pick then you take it. That pick could turn into a star. Also the Pacers only hope to get a player that turns into a star is as a rookie otherwise they'll just leave 2 or 3 years.

There's also rumors out there that the Pacers locker room was a pretty bad place towards the end of the season. You have to wonder if that was because of McMillan or possibly because of Oladipo and his antics of sitting out and then actually playing. Then it's also possible it was something else all together.

I saw a hypathetical trade the Pacers could make involving Oladipo. Hawks: Oladipo Pacers: Dedmon, Huerter, Reddish, and the 6th overall pick If the Pacers could get a return like that with young upside then I'd help Oladipo pack myself.

That’s the question with Turner what is his real value. He’s a 6’11 stretch 5. He’s not got good ball handling skills so he’s just a spot up guy. He’s got very limited post game around the rim. He’s a bad on ball defender on the perimeter and the post. He is an ok rebounder but nothing special and he’s a good weak side shot blocker. So what is that value. I’d put it at a mid to late first round pick plus a role player or a starter level wing depending on the needs of the other team. That’s my opinion though of his value.

That’s true. I will say that I think he could be better in a better system. Nate’s offense didn’t do Vic any favors.

That's not it. Do you want to pay him a max contract? I would be worried because if he doesn't have the athleticism he had prior to the injury then I sure wouldn't. Plus he has been wishy washy on things. If I'm the Pacers I'd probably offer him a contract this offseason. If he doesn't sign it I trade him. That said would still give some serious consderation to what his skill set is going to be moving forward especially since he will be 34 or 35 at the end of this next contract.

That's true but they have some guys that could shopped for one in Turner and Oladipo.

Here are some of my takes on the Pacers going into the offseason. 1.) Myles Turner has peaked and some of you over value him. He needs to be traded for an athletic and long 3/4 type player that can score whether that's via a draft pick or veteran. 2.) Don't be surprised if TJ Leaf emerges under a new system if it requires shooters and floor spacing. 3.) McDermott could be poised for a much better season too. 4.) Alize Johnson could see a larger role in a D'Antoni or Atkinson type of system as well. 5.) Players via trade I wouldn't mind seeing include Aaron Gordon and Jerami Grant. 6.) Players via free agency include Danilo Gallinari and Marcus Morris. Note: There could be others as well via trade and free agency depending on what players decide to do with their player options. 7.) Players via draft if the Pacers aquire a pick include Isaac Okoro, Obi Toppin, Patrick Williams, and Saddq Bey.

The Pacers do need to get a bigger more athletic wing in the 6'7 to 6'9 range. They have Brogdon 6'5 , Oladipo 6'4, and Lamb 6'5. Warren is solid but he is a small ball 4 that can play some 3 in certain matchups. Miami wasn't a good matchup for him and that's why he wasn't nearly as good. I also think that Turner is the player that can be used to get that wing whether it's trading him for a lottery pick or a current NBA player. Yes, Turner played better the last couple of games but if you are going to play 4 shooters you need to have a solid rebounder. The Rockets have Harden, Tucker, and Westbrook at over 6 boards a game and Covington at 8. Sabonis is the only Pacers starters over 6 are Sabonis and Turner at 12 and 8. Turner also isn't a good defender I don't care that he gets 2 blocks a game. He gets bullied by almost every good 5 man in the league and even most above average 4's as well.

Hearing some interesting info that Pacers had in mind that they wsnted and did not think he would be available. So the extension came and with the uncertainty of next year Nate was the option. Now I'm Hearing said coach is available. Who that is I don't know. So based on this it seems to me the coach they want is either gong to get fired or he has an expiring contract and might not be retained or he chooses to leave his current team. That doesn't sound like a Van Gundy or Atkinson because those guys were on the market when Nate got the extension. This leads me to think they want D'Antoni, Popovich, or Brett Brown. I could also see a situation were D'Antoni gets the head job and he brings in a guy like Atkinson to be the associate head coach who he has coached with in the past if Atkinson doesn't get another job.

Like they did with Leal and Galloway.

I’m not surprised they haven’t offered yet. They waited until during the junior year to offer for Phinisee, Leal, and Galloway. I’d expect one to come in the next few months.

He’s really good. His mechanics are little more violent than I personally like but some guys are able to get away with it.

I don’t know him personally. I’ve coached against New Castle the last 2 years and I’m now at a new school but it’s in their conference. He doesn’t play basketball that I know of and I coach basketball too. I was curious to see him this spring but that didn’t happen unfortunately.

He’s shot up the rankings as his fastball has increased by about 8-10 mph since last year.