Alright, team needs for next year....

[Wizop]

Ben didn't show me much. I was surprised he even made it past summer league. He does have the family determination though. I'd like to sign an average veteran backup point guard for insurance if nothing else and to draft a rookie who can be brought along slowly.

[Wizop]

Just saw that CJ Watson is going to opt out. Eh?

if his contract were over, this is exactly the kind of guy I'd look for. but if he is opting out, that means he expects a raise, and I don't want to break the bank.

[pacers33granger]

Earl Watson wasn't that bad when he was here before. He'd be an upgrade over Ben.

[Jake0890]

Earl Watson wasn't that bad when he was here before. He'd be an upgrade over Ben.

Is it even worth spending money on a third stringer? Stick with Ben and his minimum contract. When we're strapped for cash, no need to go out of our way to spend even more of it.

[Wizop]

I'm hoping we draft a point guard with more potential than Ben. signing an Earl Watson type for low money makes sense to me as it would allow the rookie to be brought along slowly and would provide insurance should George Hill be injured.

[mizzoupacers]

If West is re-signed and Granger is healthy, all this team needs is a backup pg and a backup power forward. I think both of those are do-able this summer.

I see getting a legit backup pg as the one crucial bit of business for this summer. I don't have that much confidence in Hansbrough or Pendergast, but if they are the team's biggest weakness, then that's a pretty damned good team. The point guard spot, however, really needs an upgrade if this team is going to take the next step forward.

If Granger is back, then I don't think the Pacers need any more wing players and I hope they don't go chasing one. A three-man rotation with George, Granger, and Stephenson all playing essentially starters' minutes is not going to leave much playing time for anyone else. For what playing time is left, I liked what I saw from Orlando Johnson last year. And George Hill could get some time at two-guard if the team has a better backup point guard to put on the court with him. That's more than enough depth at the wings already.

I'm pumped for next season; we're finally going to get to see what happens when you build behind two really good young guys and neither one of them is Ron Artest.

[Scoot McGroot]

If West is re-signed and Granger is healthy, all this team needs is a backup pg and a backup power forward. I think both of those are do-able this summer.

I see getting a legit backup pg as the one crucial bit of business for this summer. I don't have that much confidence in Hansbrough or Pendergast, but if they are the team's biggest weakness, then that's a pretty damned good team. The point guard spot, however, really needs an upgrade if this team is going to take the next step forward.

If Granger is back, then I don't think the Pacers need any more wing players and I hope they don't go chasing one. A three-man rotation with George, Granger, and Stephenson all playing essentially starters' minutes is not going to leave much playing time for anyone else. For what playing time is left, I liked what I saw from Orlando Johnson last year. And George Hill could get some time at two-guard if the team has a better backup point guard to put on the court with him. That's more than enough depth at the wings already.

I'm pumped for next season; we're finally going to get to see what happens when you build behind two really good young guys and neither one of them is Ron Artest.

Yup. With a healthy Granger, a re-signed Sam Young is fine as a 5th wing "in case of" guy.

I'm hopping on my soap box of Billups and Brand this offseason.

[8305]

An eight man rotaion with a healthy Granger, Brand and Billups would have looked pretty sweet this past year.

Can't imagine anyone throwing big money or multiple years at either Brand or Billups this off season. Maybe Billups takes on some of Brian Shaw's role?

[minimus]

An eight man rotaion with a healthy Granger, Brand and Billups would have looked pretty sweet this past year.

Can't imagine anyone throwing big money or multiple years at either Brand or Billups this off season. Maybe Billups takes on some of Brian Shaw's role?

100% Agree. Brand and Billups fit ideally.

[8305]

Inspired by the performances of the Spurs last night and more specifically Gary Neal and Danny Green (two very low profile acquisitions). I'll throw out a couple of comparisons

Danny Green, 2nd round pick, cut twice before sticking, spent some time in the NBDL.
Comparison:
Shelvin Mack, played right under our noses for three years. Might be an upgrade over DJ. Good third pg if we were able to bring in a guy like Billups. I think he might be able to spread the floor the way both Neal and Green do.

Gary Neal, undrafted, totally off the radar guy, who I think has been with the Spurs since his rookie year.
Comparison:
Kalif Wyatt, haven't seen Wyatt on any mocks and if you followed IU in the tournament he's not completely off the radar. But that day against IU he was impressive, was also the MVP of the Atlantic Ten. I could see him being a clutch floor stretcher.
Comparison
Vander Blue, tore up Butler in the NCAA's and otherwise had a nice run in the tournament. Similar Marquette guys who have come before him have had remarkable success in the League.

Fitting another wing on the roster would necessitate letting Sam Young walk or carrying only five bigs but San Antonio has shown us that developing guys like this can pay big dividends.

[Wizop]

San Antonio also has some point guards burried on the bench that might help us. Are both Joseph and Mills upgrades for us?

[Moooose]

San Antonio also has some point guards burried on the bench that might help us. Are both Joseph and Mills upgrades for us?

It is unfortunate that Mills do not get much playing time but I have seen him play in games outside of the NBA and he was really good. I don't know much bout Joseph but the Spurs are the best talent evaluator and talent enhancer in the whole of NBA. I'd like to see more of him in the finals.

[Scoot McGroot]

Danny Green, 2nd round pick, cut twice before sticking, spent some time in the NBDL.
Comparison:
Shelvin Mack, played right under our noses for three years. Might be an upgrade over DJ. Good third pg if we were able to bring in a guy like Billups. I think he might be able to spread the floor the way both Neal and Green do.

I love Shelvin, but I just don't see anything point guard about him in the NBA. He's an undersized SG. He just doesn't have the ability to handle the ball under pressure. I'll still gladly take him as a developmental 3rd PG over Ben, though.

[8305]

Danny Green, 2nd round pick, cut twice before sticking, spent some time in the NBDL.
Comparison:
Shelvin Mack, played right under our noses for three years. Might be an upgrade over DJ. Good third pg if we were able to bring in a guy like Billups. I think he might be able to spread the floor the way both Neal and Green do.

I love Shelvin, but I just don't see anything point guard about him in the NBA. He's an undersized SG. He just doesn't have the ability to handle the ball under pressure. I'll still gladly take him as a developmental 3rd PG over Ben, though.

Maybe you've seen more of him in the NBA than me. At Butler I always thought he was the strongest ball handler on the team and I thought he played the point with Team USA too. Never saw any of his play with Team USA organization though. He tore up the NBDL and I think his assist numbers were pretty good there. I always thought he was pretty similar to George Hill in that both were basically shooting guards in college but handled the ball alot.

Not much question in my mind either that he's a better 3rd point guard than Ben.

[Scoot McGroot]

Danny Green, 2nd round pick, cut twice before sticking, spent some time in the NBDL.
Comparison:
Shelvin Mack, played right under our noses for three years. Might be an upgrade over DJ. Good third pg if we were able to bring in a guy like Billups. I think he might be able to spread the floor the way both Neal and Green do.

I love Shelvin, but I just don't see anything point guard about him in the NBA. He's an undersized SG. He just doesn't have the ability to handle the ball under pressure. I'll still gladly take him as a developmental 3rd PG over Ben, though.

Maybe you've seen more of him in the NBA than me. At Butler I always thought he was the strongest ball handler on the team and I thought he played the point with Team USA too. Never saw any of his play with Team USA organization though. He tore up the NBDL and I think his assist numbers were pretty good there. I always thought he was pretty similar to George Hill in that both were basically shooting guards in college but handled the ball alot.

Not much question in my mind either that he's a better 3rd point guard than Ben.

He's never been a ball handler, but a distributor. If he runs to this spot on the floor, gets a pass from Hayward, and then turns and dumps it to that spot, where Howard hits a jumper, he's fine and can rack up assists. He had sever trouble bringing the ball up the court against pressure, something that we had in the playoffs already.

[8305]

I'd agree with you that when Hayward was there the scenario you describe was pretty typical. But, his junior year when Hayward was gone, it looked to me like the ball was in Mack's hands alot and that off the dribble he created alot for other guys. I could see him having the same problems that Hill had with pressure and maybe the goal with a backup for Geroge should be someone with a stronger handle.

Moving on to something else entirely, I'll play a scenario off the Cleveland/Granger rumor.

Pacers trade Granger to Cleveland for pick 19 and either pick 31 or 33.
Pacers trade pick 23 and Gerald Green to Memphis for Durrell Arther.
Pacers now have significantly more 2013/2014 cap space that can be used on one year contracts
Use pick #19 for the best wing on the board say Jamal Franklin
Use pick 33 or 31 on pg Nate Wolters
Make generous one year offers to JJ Redick and Chauncey Billups
Bring back Lou Amundson on a cheap deal (I like him better than Tyler or Pendy)

Team looks like

pg Hill/Billups/Wolters
sg Stephenson/Redick/Johnson
sf George/Franklin/Young
pf West/Arthur/Amundson
c Hibbert/ Mahamni/Plumlee

You add some experience to the 2nd unit and the ability to stretch the floor much better.

[Wizop]

There is a new two part press conference with Walsh and Pritchard online at pacers.com. well worth watching.

[chube]

Via the wiretap, Francisco Garcia, Carlos Delfino and Aaron Brooks will be available.

Garcia - nice veteran player, but unless Green (or Danny) gets moved, we don't need another wing
Delfino - another wing, but could be a nice backup two should Redick or Korver not work out
Brooks - not horrible, but not an ideal first PG off the bench. If no other options show up, not horrible, but probably would be too expensive for a 3rd-string PG.