Can the Pacers stay below the tax in 2025-26??

[Wizop]

There were posts on the trade forum suggesting the Pels should've waited to send our pick back to see if Ty aggravated the injury which could put us in the lottery next year.

[JMaster5K]

There were posts on the trade forum suggesting the Pels should've waited to send our pick back to see if Ty aggravated the injury which could put us in the lottery next year.

Yeah,... hindsight is always perfect,... LOLOL

A couple of articles this morning said that the Pels 'highly valued' getting another 1st in this draft. Even though next year (currently as projected) has more talent & is deeper,... there were a number of mid first draftees this year that they believe have a particularly good fit for their team,... so?....

For me,... it's a win-win.

[Wizop]

I think you have to ask Siakam if he wants to be traded but if he says no I think we roll with

Nembhard, McConnell, RayJ?, (Haliburton inactive)
Mathurin, Sheppard
Nesmith, Walker, Furphy
Siakam, Toppin
Turner, Jackson, Bryant?, Johnson?

Can Johnson become a coach? Do Bryant or Bradley come back? Will freeman or Q deserve more than a 2-way? If we get a center or a poing guard at 54 will he get a roster spot or a two-way?

[GreatBuchinsky]

I agree we will not be going into the tax next year with Hali out. We should be able to apply for a DPE on Hali and qualify for non-tax payer mid level of around $14m?? And that would not count towards the tax. Not sure the best use for that but I’d lean signing or trading for a legit backup 5.

[Wizop]

I agree we will not be going into the tax next year with Hali out. We should be able to apply for a DPE on Hali and qualify for non-tax payer mid level of around $14m?? And that would not count towards the tax. Not sure the best use for that but I’d lean signing or trading for a legit backup 5.

I'm not sure that's right. Holinger has a piece up on theAthletic going into the tax situation.

[GreatBuchinsky]

I agree we will not be going into the tax next year with Hali out. We should be able to apply for a DPE on Hali and qualify for non-tax payer mid level of around $14m?? And that would not count towards the tax. Not sure the best use for that but I’d lean signing or trading for a legit backup 5.

I'm not sure that's right. Holinger has a piece up on theAthletic going into the tax situation.

What’s his BORD$ on Turner? Regardless of how the DPE shakes out feels like someone still will get moved to be able to re-sign Turner and stay under the tax next year.

[Wizop]

I agree we will not be going into the tax next year with Hali out. We should be able to apply for a DPE on Hali and qualify for non-tax payer mid level of around $14m?? And that would not count towards the tax. Not sure the best use for that but I’d lean signing or trading for a legit backup 5.

I'm not sure that's right. Hollinger has a piece up on theAthletic going into the tax situation.

What’s his BORD$ on Turner? Regardless of how the DPE shakes out feels like someone still will get moved to be able to re-sign Turner and stay under the tax next year.

weird. the link in his BlueSky post no longer works. apparently it was some kind of live blog and not an article.

[Scoot McGroot]

I agree we will not be going into the tax next year with Hali out. We should be able to apply for a DPE on Hali and qualify for non-tax payer mid level of around $14m?? And that would not count towards the tax. Not sure the best use for that but I’d lean signing or trading for a legit backup 5.

It would count against the cap and tax if used. Any contracts signed count against the cap and tax.

For similar reasons, this is why we never used the Isaiah Jackson DPE we received this year, as it would’ve put us into the tax.

[Wizop]

JMV interviewed Bobby Marks who said tax isn't the barrier it once was and the 2nd apron is the new limit.

[Scoot McGroot]

Say Myles signs for 3/90, Jackson takes a 1/$3m rehab deal, Indy signs a 1 year vet min backup PG, promotes Freeman to the main roster for his vet minimum, and signs the 54th pick to a big league deal for their league minimum, you end up at a point where, if you could trade Obi Toppin out for no current salary, you’d be almost exactly $400k under the tax line with 14 guys. If Myles takes a little less than 3/90, you can fill out the 15h roster spot with another minimum.

[Grang33r]

Say Myles signs for 3/90, Jackson takes a 1/$3m rehab deal, Indy signs a 1 year vet min backup PG, promotes Freeman to the main roster for his vet minimum, and signs the 54th pick to a big league deal for their league minimum, you end up at a point where, if you could trade Obi Toppin out for no current salary, you’d be almost exactly $400k under the tax line with 14 guys. If Myles takes a little less than 3/90, you can fill out the 15h roster spot with another minimum.

It's easy to say because its not my money, but losing Tyrese and dumping Obi, really begins to hurt their bench. They'd be one somewhat serious injury (like what nembhard or nesmith had last season) away from winning like 30 games.

[Scoot McGroot]

Say Myles signs for 3/90, Jackson takes a 1/$3m rehab deal, Indy signs a 1 year vet min backup PG, promotes Freeman to the main roster for his vet minimum, and signs the 54th pick to a big league deal for their league minimum, you end up at a point where, if you could trade Obi Toppin out for no current salary, you’d be almost exactly $400k under the tax line with 14 guys. If Myles takes a little less than 3/90, you can fill out the 15h roster spot with another minimum.

It's easy to say because its not my money, but losing Tyrese and dumping Obi, really begins to hurt their bench. They'd be one somewhat serious injury (like what nembhard or nesmith had last season) away from winning like 30 games.

Depends. Feels like Walker needs to get run, and is ready for run. At that point, you’d be almost might have a Tre Jones/Tre Mann coming off the bench? Adding Jackson back in, still have Johnny Furphy developing. I think it’s pretty on par to what we ran off the bench this year? I’m not sure you can realistically go any further in terms of adding depth? Basically, James Johnson is likely to retire, so you’re having Hali take his “non playing spot” for a year. Jackson/Freeman replace Bradley/Bryant, and growth from Walker/Furphy and the additions of that vet PG and 54 all combine to replace Obi?


Maybe not ideal, but pretty realistic.

[Grang33r]

Maybe not ideal, but pretty realistic.

Yeah that seems very realistic. Just depressing imo.

Obi brings so much energy and timely scoring for the team. Hes a fastbreak machine. Think they would miss him greatly without replacing him.

I guess our fastbreak game will dramatically be dialed down now though.

[Scoot McGroot]

Maybe not ideal, but pretty realistic.

Yeah that seems very realistic. Just depressing imo.

Obi brings so much energy and timely scoring for the team. Hes a fastbreak machine. Think they would miss him greatly without replacing him.

I guess our fastbreak game will dramatically be dialed down now though.

I wouldn’t assume so. Still have McConnell, and Nembhard has grown tremendously in looking downcourt immediately off a rebound. Id like to keep Obi, but just don’t think it’s realistic when Hali is out for a full season.

[Grang33r]

I've seen a lot of online chatter (amongst fans, not anyone serious) about Lonzo Ball. What we think bout that?

[JMaster5K]

Maybe not ideal, but pretty realistic.

Yeah that seems very realistic. Just depressing imo.

Obi brings so much energy and timely scoring for the team. Hes a fastbreak machine. Think they would miss him greatly without replacing him.

I guess our fastbreak game will dramatically be dialed down now though.

I wouldn’t assume so. Still have McConnell, and Nembhard has grown tremendously in looking downcourt immediately off a rebound. Id like to keep Obi, but just don’t think it’s realistic when Hali is out for a full season.

I gotta think that the posts in this conversation are pretty accurate,... I think we might (as usual) have some moves around the margins,.. but next season could be a growing season that we actually need? For Drew to continue to grow, he probably needs more reps now as the primary PG? The 'reading the floor' on both ends? we know he can handle, we know he can make all the passes, and he has had games where he was well beyond just 'good' running the show. Can he level-up in those areas?

If Drew is at point,... He fits much more seamlessly with Benn (it's not perfect, but it's better than Tyrese / Benn),... Does that give Benn the opportunity to play a complete game a starter? instead of the various roles he's been playing off the bench?

That would also clear some minutes at the small wings to allow Jarace (as Scoot pointed out) a serious run at not just time,... but growing enough to push Aaron?... (That would be a HUGE development - but not one that is so far-fetched?)

Again,... gotta believe that we can go into 26-27 an even deeper, more versatile team than we were this year?

[Pacers Forever]

I've seen a lot of online chatter (amongst fans, not anyone serious) about Lonzo Ball. What we think bout that?

While Lonzo Ball played pretty well after injury for the Bulls I don’t think he would fit the Pacers culture. He’s on a cheap contract at 10 mil per for 2 years.

I just think the Pacers will stay in house for the guard positions (which are very cheap contracts)and be in the market for a big or 2 depending on how they handle the lone draft pick.

Nembhard, McConnell, RayJ, Quenton
Mathurin, Sheppard
Nesmith, Walker, Furphy
Siakam, Toppin, Freeman
Turner, Jackson, backup 5
(Haliburton inactive) Draft pick ?
Johnson retires
Bradley and Bryant not returning

[Scoot McGroot]

Nembhard, McConnell, RayJ, Quenton
Mathurin, Sheppard
Nesmith, Walker, Furphy
Siakam, Toppin, Freeman
Turner, Jackson, backup 5
(Haliburton inactive) Draft pick ?
Johnson retires
Bradley and Bryant not returning

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I don’t think we’ve seen any PG play from Quentin Jackson? He’s primarily played as a defensive 2 guard?

[jowglenn]

I think Toppin isn't long for this team. He's the obvious guy to move. So then the only question becomes about the backup big spots. Walker will get some minutes, sure, but who else? Do we bring back Jackson? Is he still even an NBA player? Do we bring back Tony Bradley as just a cheap body? Do we find someone cheap player elsewhere?

I just hope we manage to grab Ryan Nembhard with the 54th pick in this draft

[Wizop]

I think Toppin isn't long for this team.

I hope we keep him as long as we don't have to go into the 2nd apron to bring everyone back

I just hope we manage to grab Ryan Nembhard with the 54th pick in this draft

he may have moved up but there are centers from Michigan and Kentucky who could be there,