Cresy06 wrote:Daniel Theis has been amazing for Germany, he looks to be in the best shape of his life.
It's a shame his role on the Pacers is not really defined...
I think it’s pretty defined. If Indy is focusing on solely winning, we’ll see him and Buddy a ton in the rotations, with Theis as the primary backup 5. If Indy is continuing to focus on development and slow progression, then we’ll see him on the bench for Jackson and Jalen to get some minutes in hopes of developing.
Do you think the Pacers can swap him for a late 1st or a couple of 2nds?
Unless Indy is taking back a pretty terrible multi year contract in exchange for Theis’s expiring, he just doesn’t have that type of positive value in a trade. Maybe a second or two for a dead expiring to the right team at the deadline? If he could return that value, he would’ve already been dealt, I think?
Or do they move him to backup C in front of Jackson? Might as well move Jackson then, but that's very short sighted imo.
This is very possible and maybe the easiest indicator early in the year as to if the focus on development is less so than the playoffs at all cost mentality? Theis can clearly hold the fort down as a solid vet backup center and probably help stabilize some of those bench minutes that used to just collapse leads at times last year.
As for Jackson/Jalen? Yeah, good question there seems to be a role for one or the other this year, and it would’ve been nice to see the other moved in trade before then. There’s only a role for both if Theis again is relegated to the end of the bench. But Theis is clearly better than those two RIGHT NOW, so it’s hard to do that.
I could see Jackson on the deep bench, as we have his rookie contract this year and next and then restricted free agency. I less see Jalen there, and it’s possible he could push for a trade if he’s deep on the bench, after being promised a starting spot to re sign here last year.
All really good questions and points, though. Thanks for bringing it up!
