Does P George's injury mean Larry makes a small rebuild?

robbie84 · Post #1 » by **robbie84** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 2:57 pm

So with Paul George out next season (presumably), what are everyone's thoughts on what to do?
Will Larry Bird hold the fort and try and trade for a poor mans replacement of George?
Or will he consider a mini rebuild for George's return?
I'm wondering because of the recent rumors around Hibbert being silently shopped, perhaps Larry shops Hibbert harder now that George is out? I'm assuming David West would be on the block too, essentially giving the Pacers an extra $27 million of cap room at the end of the 14'-15' season.

Question as a non-Pacers fan is:
Does Pacer nation want Hibbert or would you rather he was traded for assets? Is he part of the future once George is back or is he overpaid and on the way out?
Now without disrespecting the Pacer fan base after this tragedy, what would you expect to get in return for both of these guys?

Watching George go down was just horrible. Celtics fans generally love the Pacers because they play a defensive, gritty style and like to take it to the Heat as we did. We similarly had the horror of watching Dwyane Wade snap Rondo's arm in half and our playoff dreams go down the toilet in 2010-11.

Larry Bird wont sleep for the next month while he tries to work out what to do with this horrible situation.

Post #2 » by **Jamaaliver** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 3:14 pm

I was just thinking this morning, as bad as the situation is this represents a great opportunity to restructure the team around PG. Take a flyer on the season, get a top draft pick, move veteran pieces in trade, develop young prospects, tryout a new coach and come back stronger.

PG is a franchise player. Even now.

Take this chance to improve the pieces around him and come back stronger for 2015-2016.

As a Hawks fan, I've admired you guys from afar. Your team is resilient; you guys will get through this.

sweetcity · Post #3 » by **sweetcity** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 5:36 pm

reality is, with just Hill, West, and Hibbert, this team is now lottery bound.

SmashMouthRod · Post #4 » by **SmashMouthRod** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 6:18 pm

I find it humorous that you fans of other teams are deciding or think you know whats best for INdy. Indy is a defensive team. Without Paul were not a contender. But the team doesnt just become as bad as the celtics; and will likely still be capable of being better than the Hawks.

Little Digger · Post #5 » by **Little Digger** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 7:13 pm

sweetcity wrote:reality is, with just Hill, West, and Hibbert, this team is now lottery bound.

But the East is so God awful..I see the Pacers still competing for a playoff spot

duke11693 · Post #6 » by **duke11693** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 7:22 pm

Little Digger wrote:
sweetcity wrote:reality is, with just Hill, West, and Hibbert, this team is now lottery bound.
But the East is so God awful..I see the Pacers still competing for a playoff spot

The east will be better this year, or at least more competitive. Right now I would say Chicago, Cleveland, Charlotte, Washington, Toronto, Miami, and Atlanta are a step above Indy without PG. That would leave them fighting for the 8 spot with the likes of Brooklyn and NY. PG is a stud, but there is no guarantee he comes back full strength. If I was Indy I would trade West and Hibbert to acquire some cap flexibility/draft picks. Then tank this year and start putting young talent around PG.

Little Digger · Post #7 » by **Little Digger** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 7:27 pm

there's no way the east is better this year..All those teams you listed after Cleveland have pathetic rosters that couldnt sniff the playoffs out West.

12footrim · Post #8 » by **12footrim** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 9:22 pm

duke11693 wrote:
Little Digger wrote:
sweetcity wrote:reality is, with just Hill, West, and Hibbert, this team is now lottery bound.
But the East is so God awful..I see the Pacers still competing for a playoff spot

The east will be better this year, or at least more competitive. Right now I would say Chicago, Cleveland, Charlotte, Washington, Toronto, Miami, and Atlanta are a step above Indy without PG. That would leave them fighting for the 8 spot with the likes of Brooklyn and NY. PG is a stud, but there is no guarantee he comes back full strength. If I was Indy I would trade West and Hibbert to acquire some cap flexibility/draft picks. Then tank this year and start putting young talent around PG.

I'm with you. This year would have been their best chance to make a move in the east with Lebron leaving Miami and likely having at least some transitional period in Cleveland. Realistically George is probably looking at 2 years before he's back to anything close to what he was if he ever gets back there.

There were already problems in Indy even with him and Lance and I think you blow it up personally while players like West and Hibbert still have some value and get what you can. At best I see them as a 7 or 8 seed & out in the first round.

Wizop · Post #9 » by **Wizop** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 9:23 pm

no reason to make a panic move. I think we'll use our exemption to sign a free agent wing.

duke11693 · Post #10 » by **duke11693** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 9:28 pm

Wizop wrote:no reason to make a panic move. I think we'll use our exemption to sign a free agent wing.

Who's out there that can really make a difference? I suspect the Suns would match just about anything for Bledsoe

NCHeels2008 · Post #11 » by **NCHeels2008** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 9:45 pm

Wizop wrote:no reason to make a panic move. I think we'll use our exemption to sign a free agent wing.

Unless they deal out, that signing will take them into the lux tax (unless the DPE doesn't count against the cap at all?)

Also what wing is left that would sign a one year MLE deal?

Moooose · Post #12 » by **Moooose** » Sat Aug 2, 2014 10:14 pm

I still see Larry trying to get into the postseason even without the assurance of George coming back. That would be tough though, but who knows.

robbie84 · Post #13 » by **robbie84** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 12:16 am

SmashMouthRod wrote:I find it humorous that you fans of other teams are deciding or think you know whats best for INdy. Indy is a defensive team. Without Paul were not a contender. But the team doesnt just become as bad as the celtics; and will likely still be capable of being better than the Hawks.

When did I tell Indy fans what to do or what is best for your team?
I asked a bunch of questions trying to gauge the Hibbert situation and what Larry Bird would do. There were rumors of Hibbert being shopped recently so just wanting to know what Pacers fans think about his status and the status of the Pacers.
Put down the gun smashmouth.

laydo · Post #14 » by **laydo** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 12:29 am

The Pacers cannot afford the cost of rebuilding.

Though the Blue and Gold are now losing a rising star, it is way too early to give up the season and looking into the lottery, especially you can't tell by now which rookie is going to be a franchise player next year.

Parting with Lance and losing Paul with injury hurt. However, it hurts more for if the team loses chemistry, and giving up the season now will lower the chemistry for sure.

ChokeFasncists · Post #15 » by **ChokeFasncists** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 12:45 am

DRob's injury leading to Duncan?

Post #16 » by **pacers33granger** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 12:48 am

Likely the plan is to still compete as much as possible. Hopefully let Solomon Hill get some good minutes this season and see what he can do. Then reload next year with a mid first or maybe lotto pick, a hopefully fully healthy PG, and some development from our new guys.

One thing I think hasn't been mentioned in all of this is that Stuckey must feel like crap now. Take a minimum deal to be on a contender who then promptly loses their star for the year.

robbie84 · Post #17 » by **robbie84** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 2:08 am

So if you were to blow it up, and move Hibbert and West, what is required in return?

how far off is:

Celtics send:
Sullinger (or Olynyk)
James Young+
2015 Boston first round pick+
2016 Brooklyn pick +
2015 Clippers pick+
Bogans $5 million+ (exp)
Thornton $8.5 million+ (exp)
Bass $7 million+(exp)
Anthony $3 million(exp)

for

Hibbert+
West+
fillers.

If you're moving Hibbert then you probably want to move West at age 35 as well right? This clears up $27 million in cap room for Paul George's return in 2015-16.

Does Larry hang up because Marcus Smart isn't in the offer?
And do people think Hibbert and West will opt in next off season or will they opt out and go for a longer term deal?

mhsiao · Post #18 » by **mhsiao** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 2:09 am

SmashMouthRod wrote:I find it humorous that you fans of other teams are deciding or think you know whats best for INdy. Indy is a defensive team. Without Paul were not a contender. But the team doesnt just become as bad as the celtics; and will likely still be capable of being better than the Hawks.

As bulls fan I will say It depends on if Vogel can make his players give 100% day in and day like Thibs did to the bulls during Rose's absence.

It also depends if Roy Hillbert can step up and become a leader like Noah did last season.

Reaper_ · Post #19 » by **Reaper_** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 2:55 am

Indy is a lock for playoffs as they are. Cavs, Bulls, Raptors, maybe heat are teams better next season, others are just fighting for playoffs. Hibbert will step up with Hill. No trade value of Hibbert, so he is must keep, no true centers in the league to match him. My question would be - what could we get for injury exception? No worth free agents are available anyway.

sfam · Post #20 » by **sfam** » Sun Aug 3, 2014 3:54 am

Reaper_ wrote:Indy is a lock for playoffs as they are. Cavs, Bulls, Raptors, maybe heat are teams better next season, others are just fighting for playoffs. Hibbert will step up with Hill. No trade value of Hibbert, so he is must keep, no true centers in the league to match him. My question would be - what could we get for injury exception? No worth free agents are available anyway.

You might want to add the Wizards as well. No way Indiana is as good as they are, baring any more critical injuries. I'd put Charlotte and Atlanta there as well.