Potential Trade Targets to Pursue this Offseason

[Wizop]

if LeBron leaves Cleveland, Love will definitely be available. He makes more sense in Boston though, where they're ready to win right away and aren't as worried about the next 3-4 years. I would look elsewhere.

a healthy Love IMHO allows us to compete with Boston. he only has two years on his contract with the second being a player option so he gives us a short term punch without killing our long term goals. we need rebounding and better shooting from the PF. It is hard to think of any veteran who fits that bill better than Love.

[Pacers_Freak]

Wonder if we could trade Jefferson/Joseph/23rd for Bazemore + 30?

That is a steep price to pay for Bazemore IMO.

[MUpacersSIC]

Why do does anyone want Bazemore? The guy has been an untradeable contract, and now the Pacers are giving up assets for him? Makes no sense to me.


Sent from my iPhone using RealGM Forums

[Tom White]

if LeBron leaves Cleveland, Love will definitely be available. He makes more sense in Boston though, where they're ready to win right away and aren't as worried about the next 3-4 years. I would look elsewhere.

a healthy Love IMHO allows us to compete with Boston. he only has two years on his contract with the second being a player option so he gives us a short term punch without killing our long term goals. we need rebounding and better shooting from the PF. It is hard to think of any veteran who fits that bill better than Love.

Here's a question for the board. If he provides the needs for better rebounding and shooting as a PF....how then does he kill the long term goals?

Let me dive a bit deeper into this. Does anyone think he will expect to make as much as he does now (per year) on his next contract? I've got my doubts he will find an offer like that, and may be willing to accept less per year in order to get more years.

The only thing I can think of is it would be hard to get to a place where the team is starting Turner and Sabonis together with Love on board. But to be honest, I'm not sure that starting Turner and Sabonis is an ideal answer to the team's shortcomings anyway.

[Wizop]

The only thing I can think of is it would be hard to get to a place where the team is starting Turner and Sabonis together with Love on board.

and if they show they can play together this year, you could trade Love's expiring contract next summer if he opts in to his option, or you could just let Thad walk then assuming he opts in now.

[pizza guy]

if LeBron leaves Cleveland, Love will definitely be available. He makes more sense in Boston though, where they're ready to win right away and aren't as worried about the next 3-4 years. I would look elsewhere.

a healthy Love IMHO allows us to compete with Boston. he only has two years on his contract with the second being a player option so he gives us a short term punch without killing our long term goals. we need rebounding and better shooting from the PF. It is hard to think of any veteran who fits that bill better than Love.

Here's a question for the board. If he provides the needs for better rebounding and shooting as a PF....how then does he kill the long term goals?

Let me dive a bit deeper into this. Does anyone think he will expect to make as much as he does now (per year) on his next contract? I've got my doubts he will find an offer like that, and may be willing to accept less per year in order to get more years.

The only thing I can think of is it would be hard to get to a place where the team is starting Turner and Sabonis together with Love on board. But to be honest, I'm not sure that starting Turner and Sabonis is an ideal answer to the team's shortcomings anyway.

Kevin Love + Lebron = not enough to win a title

With Love here, we likely still don't have a true title team, without significant improvement from someone already on the roster and/or additional big names coming in. He'd likely improve the team in place of Thad Young, but how much, really? Love's contract isn't bad ($24 and $25mil the next two years), but it would limit our ability to make any other big additions, and we'd end up short of a true contender anyways.

That's with Love healthy. Which he won't be on any consistent basis.

I see Love as a good player, but not enough to really give us a chance. And, at 29 years old, he isn't going to be part of the young guys we hope to develop. Alternatively, a guy like Aaron Gordon might be available for close to the same money and can grow with Oladipo, Myles, and Sabonis. Love is a guy you go after when you're in Boston's position. We're a couple pieces away, and I would look elsewhere.

[Tom White]

That's with Love healthy. Which he won't be on any consistent basis.

I guess I didn't realize how much of an injury history Love has. Looked it up on foxsports and saw a number of incidents of "sore back" and "sore knee" and that kind of stuff. Not good for any player, let alone a big guy. Multiple concussions don't help either.

So, you are right. His history does not bode well for his future.

[Wizop]

Kevin Love + Lebron = not enough to win a title

what's your timeline? I grant that Love will probably be history before we're ready, but he could get us to the ECF and to me that's a good thing.

the big unknown is LeBron. if he moves, Love will probably be available, but the team he goes to may need to clear cap space making a still better option available.

[Pacers_Freak]

a healthy Love IMHO allows us to compete with Boston. he only has two years on his contract with the second being a player option so he gives us a short term punch without killing our long term goals. we need rebounding and better shooting from the PF. It is hard to think of any veteran who fits that bill better than Love.

Here's a question for the board. If he provides the needs for better rebounding and shooting as a PF....how then does he kill the long term goals?

Let me dive a bit deeper into this. Does anyone think he will expect to make as much as he does now (per year) on his next contract? I've got my doubts he will find an offer like that, and may be willing to accept less per year in order to get more years.

The only thing I can think of is it would be hard to get to a place where the team is starting Turner and Sabonis together with Love on board. But to be honest, I'm not sure that starting Turner and Sabonis is an ideal answer to the team's shortcomings anyway.

Kevin Love + Lebron = not enough to win a title

With Love here, we likely still don't have a true title team, without significant improvement from someone already on the roster and/or additional big names coming in. He'd likely improve the team in place of Thad Young, but how much, really? Love's contract isn't bad ($24 and $25mil the next two years), but it would limit our ability to make any other big additions, and we'd end up short of a true contender anyways.

That's with Love healthy. Which he won't be on any consistent basis.

I see Love as a good player, but not enough to really give us a chance. And, at 29 years old, he isn't going to be part of the young guys we hope to develop. Alternatively, a guy like Aaron Gordon might be available for close to the same money and can grow with Oladipo, Myles, and Sabonis. Love is a guy you go after when you're in Boston's position. We're a couple pieces away, and I would look elsewhere.

I don't disagree with your viewpoint. However, I think it is a mistake to only look at guys that make you a title contender. As long as GS is together I find that a near impossible task for a team like the Pacers. I don't want to sound like they should be playing for moral trophies, but it also is what it is. Minus LBJ deciding to come to Indy (which I do not see as possible) what moves can this team make to truly make it a title contender? Unless you are saying go young and improve and when GS falls off some we have a nice core in place. I certainly get that. I'm not a huge Gordon fan. I think he is a good stats on a bad team type of guy. But, I certainly understand the rationale behind him.

[Wizop]

I don't disagree with your viewpoint. However, I think it is a mistake to only look at guys that make you a title contender.

we've been here before. I loved those teams that kept losing in the ECF and I'd take that result again. Give me a 50 win team and I don't care if there is a 60 or 70 win team out there too.

[Tom White]

Unless you are saying go young and improve and when GS falls off some we have a nice core in place.

That leads me to one of the things that has always frustrated me with the Pacers, and I have mentioned it other times in the past.

We are always waiting for another team's "era" to end.

We've been through (in no particular order) the Lakers/Celtics era, the Detroit Bad Boys era, the Bull's era, the Miami era, the Cleveland/Golden State era and even a bit of what could have been called the Spurs era.

It also always seems there are other teams waiting in the wings that are a step or two ahead of the Pacers. Right now you would have to say the Celtics, 76ers, Raptors and Rockets all fit that description. Maybe others as well.

So, when the Warriors/Cavs era ends, it doesn't mean we inherit one of those spots.

It is going to take some real courage and faith on the part of the Pacers front office and ownership to break this vicious cycle.

The questions are, do they have that, and can it be done?

We can only hope, and I guess that is why most of us are still here. Hope.

[Wizop]

We are always waiting for another team's "era" to end.

I wouldn't put it that way as it makes it sound like we weren't trying. I don't think the Front Office was ever "waiting." we have the longest streak of winning seasons at home in the league. it's approaching 30 years. from 1990, we haven't missed the playoffs very much and most of the misses were because of the brawl. I'm not going to take the time to add up the numbers for every team, but a quick look suggests only the Spurs have missed fewer times in that period.

[Tom White]

We are always waiting for another team's "era" to end.

I wouldn't put it that way as it makes it sound like we weren't trying. I don't think the Front Office was ever "waiting." we have the longest streak of winning seasons at home in the league. it's approaching 30 years. from 1990, we haven't missed the playoffs very much and most of the misses were because of the brawl. I'm not going to take the time to add up the numbers for every team, but a quick look suggests only the Spurs have missed fewer times in that period.

When I say "We are always waiting" I'm talking about us, the fans.

I know the team has been trying, but my question is when is the last time they went pedal-to-the-medal to try to get over the top. I just haven't seen it. Yes, most actual offers to free agents or trade discussions never get made public unless something actually comes of it. But haven't you ever wondered whether the team's approach has been maybe a bit too conservative? Such as the "rule" about not going after RFA's?

What you say about the team's streak of winning seasons at home, and consistency in making the play-offs is true. But, sometimes I wonder just how badly ownership has wanted it all. Or how much they are happy with simply being competative and having good ticket sales.

[Wizop]

Or how much they are happy with simply being competative and having good ticket sales.

I know they were losing 10s of millions a year after the brawl but have to agree they avoided tax except at the end of Reggies years.

Sent from my phone.

[Tom White]

Or how much they are happy with simply being competative and having good ticket sales.

I know they were losing 10s of millions a year after the brawl but have to agree they avoided tax except at the end of Reggies years.

Sent from my phone.

HA! That just reminded me. Do you remember they gave Reggie a Bentley as a retirement gift? I wonder if he ever actually drove that thing, or just turned around and sold it? Always figured he would rather they had given him a nice expensive sports car of some sort- with ample leg room, of course.

[Wizop]

HA! That just reminded me. Do you remember they gave Reggie a Bentley as a retirement gift?

I remember being at that game.

Sent from my phone.

[Pacers_Freak]

We are always waiting for another team's "era" to end.

I wouldn't put it that way as it makes it sound like we weren't trying. I don't think the Front Office was ever "waiting." we have the longest streak of winning seasons at home in the league. it's approaching 30 years. from 1990, we haven't missed the playoffs very much and most of the misses were because of the brawl. I'm not going to take the time to add up the numbers for every team, but a quick look suggests only the Spurs have missed fewer times in that period.

When I say "We are always waiting" I'm talking about us, the fans.

I know the team has been trying, but my question is when is the last time they went pedal-to-the-medal to try to get over the top. I just haven't seen it. Yes, most actual offers to free agents or trade discussions never get made public unless something actually comes of it. But haven't you ever wondered whether the team's approach has been maybe a bit too conservative? Such as the "rule" about not going after RFA's?

What you say about the team's streak of winning seasons at home, and consistency in making the play-offs is true. But, sometimes I wonder just how badly ownership has wanted it all. Or how much they are happy with simply being competative and having good ticket sales.

I know what you are saying. But, it is really hard for small market teams to be championship caliber. You have to be extremely good in the draft and be able to hang on to those guys because the super stars are not coming in free agency. I'd love nothing more than for the Pacers to win a championship. But, there is a reason that 60 something percent of NBA championships come from 5 franchises. I am thankful in the meantime that we have put a consistent winner on the floor and haven't had to suffer through any 15-20 win seasons in recent memory.

[pizza guy]

Here's a question for the board. If he provides the needs for better rebounding and shooting as a PF....how then does he kill the long term goals?

Let me dive a bit deeper into this. Does anyone think he will expect to make as much as he does now (per year) on his next contract? I've got my doubts he will find an offer like that, and may be willing to accept less per year in order to get more years.

The only thing I can think of is it would be hard to get to a place where the team is starting Turner and Sabonis together with Love on board. But to be honest, I'm not sure that starting Turner and Sabonis is an ideal answer to the team's shortcomings anyway.

Kevin Love + Lebron = not enough to win a title

With Love here, we likely still don't have a true title team, without significant improvement from someone already on the roster and/or additional big names coming in. He'd likely improve the team in place of Thad Young, but how much, really? Love's contract isn't bad ($24 and $25mil the next two years), but it would limit our ability to make any other big additions, and we'd end up short of a true contender anyways.

That's with Love healthy. Which he won't be on any consistent basis.

I see Love as a good player, but not enough to really give us a chance. And, at 29 years old, he isn't going to be part of the young guys we hope to develop. Alternatively, a guy like Aaron Gordon might be available for close to the same money and can grow with Oladipo, Myles, and Sabonis. Love is a guy you go after when you're in Boston's position. We're a couple pieces away, and I would look elsewhere.

I don't disagree with your viewpoint. However, I think it is a mistake to only look at guys that make you a title contender. As long as GS is together I find that a near impossible task for a team like the Pacers. I don't want to sound like they should be playing for moral trophies, but it also is what it is. Minus LBJ deciding to come to Indy (which I do not see as possible) what moves can this team make to truly make it a title contender? Unless you are saying go young and improve and when GS falls off some we have a nice core in place. I certainly get that. I'm not a huge Gordon fan. I think he is a good stats on a bad team type of guy. But, I certainly understand the rationale behind him.

The thing with Love is he very well might make a team a title contender. He's a good player and obviously has the Finals experience that could really help a team. Imagine putting him in Boston - Kyrie, Tatum, Hayward, Love, Horford - that team is stacked. Put him in Houston with Harden and CP3. Shoot, how about Golden State goes for him when they decide they can't get Anthony Davis. He'd be a great fit on those teams.

It is much more about the Pacers timeline (and Love's health), in my opinion. Love is injured too often, and very nearly too old to fit the current Pacers situation. If we did go after Love, it would signal an accelerated timeline for us. There wouldn't be time to wait on Myles and Sabonis as much, and we'd need to add a third All Star. Of course, this might be a more realistic way to go about it, so I can see the appeal. A trade for Love plus a trade for Kemba, or just signing Marcus Smart, and I'd be pretty confident in the Pacers' ability to advance in the playoffs.

The problem, in my mind, is that Love would shift our timeline to right now, and I'm just not convinced we'd have enough to truly challenge for the ECF. So, I prefer going after a guy like Aaron Gordon (there would be other options, he's just my favorite example) and having him grow alongside Myles and/or Domas, drafting well, and having those guys really come on while Vic is at the top of his game. I think that gives us more flexibility and more time to maximize our opportunity.

[Wizop]

The problem, in my mind, is that Love would shift our timeline to right now, and I'm just not convinced we'd have enough to truly challenge for the ECF.

I think that depends completely upon what you give up to get him. if we can get him for some combination of expiring contracts without giving up Turner (I name only him because the other young players are all on longer contracts) and any first round picks, I don't see how it hurts us long term. if you want to add Leaf or Lance or CoJo to the assets we'd need to keep, I'm okay with that too.