Game Thread 1/30: Pacers vs. Wizards

[Scoot McGroot]

They can't continue to start Sumner. I like the kid's potential but just after two games i've seen enough.

Really? I mean, I’d be ok with seeing more. He’s learning quickly and seems to have the trust of the rest of the starters. Obviously Tyreke would start if he were healthy, and Sumner would be 3rd strong there (I guess we don’t want to mess with letting the bench gel, too?), but I think he’s learning quick.

Yeah he's made some mistakes, but let's not act like Tyreke wouldn't make some too. We don't have many other options. Holiday/CoJo are both too small to start as a SG and Doug would be abysmal there. It is difficult because his shot is mediocre at best and he's largely playing as a decoy, but teams haven't seemed to figure out they can leave him open yet.

I get that Tyreke would win a few more games this year for us, but I don't think he really makes us a better team, if you know what I mean? Ultimately, I'm not saying we tank, I just say we invest a little bit of pain this year, which is already going to be a little painful, and see what we have in these guys. I'm willing to have some growing pains throughout this year if it means these guys may be better down the line. I mean, if Sumner's going to develop into anything, it's going to happen fastest in playing with some smart, steady veterans like Collison and Thad.

[pacers33granger]

Really? I mean, I’d be ok with seeing more. He’s learning quickly and seems to have the trust of the rest of the starters. Obviously Tyreke would start if he were healthy, and Sumner would be 3rd strong there (I guess we don’t want to mess with letting the bench gel, too?), but I think he’s learning quick.

Yeah he's made some mistakes, but let's not act like Tyreke wouldn't make some too. We don't have many other options. Holiday/CoJo are both too small to start as a SG and Doug would be abysmal there. It is difficult because his shot is mediocre at best and he's largely playing as a decoy, but teams haven't seemed to figure out they can leave him open yet.

I get that Tyreke would win a few more games this year for us, but I don't think he really makes us a better team, if you know what I mean? Ultimately, I'm not saying we tank, I just say we invest a little bit of pain this year, which is already going to be a little painful, and see what we have in these guys. I'm willing to have some growing pains throughout this year if it means these guys may be better down the line. I mean, if Sumner's going to develop into anything, it's going to happen fastest in playing with some smart, steady veterans like Collison and Thad.

Totally agree. Even if we're bringing back Tyreke next year, it will be as a bench piece anyways so might as well let him get as adjusted to that role as possible. Also it's not as if he won't get 28-30 minutes when he comes back even if it's as the 6th man.

Much like PG's injury, now is the time to see what we've got and assess how we should go forward. It will also be more exciting to see those young guys show flashes than win largely meaningless games and we can already see all of Sumner, Holiday, and Leaf getting slightly more comfortable. I think Nate's lack of playing time for prospects makes us forget sometimes that these guys are still pro athletes and just need a bit longer leash. It's why coaches like Pop are able to develop guys better.

[Ruaidri]

Why don't we trade away Cojo.I don't like him at all as 2.
Than Sumner can start as 2 and Tyreke can play off the bench together with Holiday.
Better we trade Collisson and Cojo for a better starting PG!

[Scoot McGroot]

Why don't we trade away Cojo.I don't like him at all as 2.
Than Sumner can start as 2 and Tyreke can play off the bench together with Holiday.
Better we trade Collisson and Cojo for a better starting PG!

If teams would give us a better PG for our two lesser PG's, I'm sure we would trade them! Remember, the other team would need a reason to make the deal, so they'd want value they can build around like Sabonis or even Holiday.

[Tom White]

Better we trade Collisson and Cojo for a better starting PG!

What team is going to give us a "better starting PG" for those two?

[Scoot McGroot]

Totally agree. Even if we're bringing back Tyreke next year, it will be as a bench piece anyways so might as well let him get as adjusted to that role as possible. Also it's not as if he won't get 28-30 minutes when he comes back even if it's as the 6th man.

Oh, even if we're interested I don't think Tyreke would have any interest at all. He just doesn't seem to be happy here, and even his brother is sub-tweeting Reke's unhappiness here. I think it's a one year shot that just hasn't hit. And that's likely all it will be.

[Ruaidri]

Cojo and Collisson are free agents this summer so maybe a team with a longer contract that wants to have cap space.
Or a tanking team.

Strange trades happen a lot.

[Wizop]

Who would trade for a better player for Collison or CoJo? a team valuing expiring contracts to get out of tax land. but I don't see what we have to gain at this point by taking on someone's problem contract. Holiday and Sumner are going to get minutes now and their play will tell us who gets contracts in the summer. Holiday is signed already. I think Sumner will move up from a 2-way to a real contract. Whether one of the starts alongside Vic next year is an open question. the answer to that determines what we offer DC and CoJo.

as for Evans, he'd need to show more than he has so far to get an offer from me. were I Pritchard, I'd have him in the office now and ask about his brother's tweets. I'd want to have him tell me honestly whether he is happy here or would prefer us to try and move him before the deadline.

[Scoot McGroot]

Cojo and Collisson are free agents this summer so maybe a team with a longer contract that wants to have cap space.
Or a tanking team.

Strange trades happen a lot.

Yeah, but it has to make sense for them, too.

I would love to target Jrue in New Orleans. Using Collison/Joseph to match salaries is a start, but what's the value for NO? Likely a 1st and Aaron Holiday, or Dom Sabonis? They'd want to clear cap but also get a path towards rebuilding, so they'd want youth/picks.