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FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade

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FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#1 » by Grang33r » Mon Jan 24, 2011 11:46 pm

Larry Bird was one of the best clutch players the game ever has seen. So with Bird perhaps being in the final months of his three decades in the NBA, wouldn't Bird look for a final shot?

Of course.

With expiring contracts of Mike Dunleavy ($10.56 million), T.J. Ford ($8.5 million) and Jeff Foster ($6.66 million), Indiana is finally in position this summer to have oodles of cap room. But Bird, the Pacers president, said his preference is to use his assets to swing a deal by the Feb. 24 trade deadline to acquire a key player.

"I would do that,'' Bird, 54, who is contemplating retiring from the NBA after this season, said in an interview with FanHouse. "I've got my draft choice (a 2011 first-round pick). The thing I always say is, 'Do you save it and see what the rules are (under a new collective bargaining agreement) or do you use it?' But, if get that opportunity, I'm going to use it (by the trade deadline). ... Do you wait or do you do it? I've made my mind up and I've talked to (Pacers owner Herb) Simon about it, and I've told him what I want to do, if we can get a good player.''


Link- http://nba.fanhouse.com/2011/01/24/indi ... -on-futur/

Bird talks about possibly making a big trade, future and not trading Granger.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#2 » by colts2004 » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:14 am

Wow! So maybe Kevin Prichard hanging out with Larry and the team is a sign of Larry's replacement?
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#3 » by granger05 » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:31 am

Normally, I'm all in favor of making a move, especially one where you're the buyer. But who is on the market that makes sense for us with those expiring contracts? I guess he mostly talked about using the draft pick in a deal and I'm not sure how I feel about that either given the recent play of the team (who knows what the pick will be).

With all the uncertainty heading into this offseason and the questions about what the new CBA will look like, I think the Pacers are actually in a really good position with having a relatively clean slate. We may be in a position to use our cap space to help teams that need to make moves to avoid more onerous tax implications, or we may have the ability to sign multiple 2nd tier star type players if contracts are capped at lower values. I don't know.

It's also possible that the uncertainty goes the other way. Maybe teams get nervous now and we can get a good deal and in the end it's all for nothing and there aren't significant changes. However, it seems to me that there's little reward in this case compared to the case of having cap-room, and there is real risk that we put ourselves in a situation where we lock ourselves into long term contracts to stay mediocre.

The risk-reward aspect makes me think we're better off letting our contracts expire than trading them. However, if we're just making a move with our own draft pick then I guess I'm more in favor if it pushes more solidly into playoff contention.

The best news the Pacers would give me is that they fired O'Brien. If you're willing to add payroll to the basketball team via a trade, then why not take the hit in coaches salary and bring in someone new who may get more out of every player on the roster? Why not just bring Lester Conner back over to replace him? What are the rules about hiring assistant coaches away from teams? He's in ATL now I guess.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#4 » by Starkiller » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:37 am

If I had a dream scenario, I'd somehow find a way for Bird to get Aldridge via trade and sign Gordon in FA next offseason. My dream Pacers team right now would be...

Collison/Price
Gordon/Rush
Granger/George
Aldridge/Hansbrough/McRoberts
Hibbert/Another FA signing.

Yes I know this is nearly impossible to actually happen.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#5 » by granger05 » Tue Jan 25, 2011 12:57 am

That's great, but it's not happening. I would think guys like Blatche or Jason Thompson would be available if we were willing to offer up our pick. I'm not sure we're not better off just giving Hansbrough real minutes and keeping our pick. We could sign David West or Landry in the offseason and get similar production to these guys so why use a pick on them? I feel like in Collison, George, Granger, Hansbrough, and Hibbert we have guys that can grow at each position right now if they were utilized properly. None of the players I can see us nabbing in a deal are significant upgrades over the talent we have now to justify throwing in a pick as well.

I just haven't seen any trade rumors out there that make a lot of sense for us.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#6 » by PR07 » Tue Jan 25, 2011 7:09 pm

It'll be interesting to see what kind of move Larry has in mind. By all accounts though, it seems like he's intent on dealing the draft pick.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#7 » by Grang33r » Wed Jan 26, 2011 4:42 am

PR07 wrote:It'll be interesting to see what kind of move Larry has in mind. By all accounts though, it seems like he's intent on dealing the draft pick.


That's what i am wondering. Seems like Bird wants to add a established veteran from all accounts if you listen to what Mike Wells and Bird have been saying recently and Bird really wants to make a run at this years playoffs, which i can't blame him, since experience for this young team is huge for their success for the future.

At this point in the season, not many impact trades are made. I doubt there is too many players available that would be major impact to Indiana that would put us over the hump and get us into the playoffs.

Guys who i would think could be had are like Jason Thompson, Zach Randolph and Andray Blatche. Not really sure if any of these would really help us, except Randolph but i highly doubt Bird even considers him to come here.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#8 » by Boneman2 » Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:27 am

Guys who i would think could be had are like Jason Thompson, Zach Randolph and Andray Blatche. Not really sure if any of these would really help us, except Randolph but i highly doubt Bird even considers him to come here.


One has to consider the fact 'Born Ready dresses for the Pacers. I'm just saying you never know.

Who knows whats up with Randolph, but since his last brush with the law, I haven't heard a peep out of him. Sometimes people can change, and if he is one of them, than it could be in our best interest to inquire.

Ultimately, our best option is to wait until the offseason. Why does Larry and hand-JOB care so much about this lame-duck team. The Pacers are gonna seem like a completely different team next season.

The young ones should get free-reign. Forget about hand-feeding Dunleavy 30 mpg, and Posey 20 mpg. Develop our team for the future w/o trading our draft picks. We'll need them to replenish, if anything we need more.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#9 » by Wizop » Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:02 pm

Boneman2 wrote:Why does Larry and hand-JOB care so much about this lame-duck team.


because the company they work for needs you to want to buy tickets to watch this year and not just sit back and wait for next year.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#10 » by Boneman2 » Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:21 pm

Wizop wrote:
Boneman2 wrote:Why does Larry and hand-JOB care so much about this lame-duck team.


because the company they work for needs you to want to buy tickets to watch this year and not just sit back and wait for next year.


Fair enough, economically speaking the owner has to make money.

In reality, you have a GM that sounds like he is slowing down, you have a lame-duck coach, and so many expirings that we'll atleast see a 30% turnover of our current roster, although I am guessing it could reach as high 50%.

All that I am saying is that this team will seem like a brand new team next season. I understand Obie wanting to help his veterans secure another healthy contract, but he needs to do that somewhere else. I am done with these veterans, they are cancerous to the growth of our team.

All the fans need to see is potential. It is a lot easier to stomach a bunch of young players competing hard and losing, than it is to watch a bunch of has-beens lose. They need to project that next season is the beginning of a new day. While not making any irrational decisions.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#11 » by old rem » Tue Feb 1, 2011 4:25 am

Grang33r wrote:
PR07 wrote:It'll be interesting to see what kind of move Larry has in mind. By all accounts though, it seems like he's intent on dealing the draft pick.


That's what i am wondering. Seems like Bird wants to add a established veteran from all accounts if you listen to what Mike Wells and Bird have been saying recently and Bird really wants to make a run at this years playoffs, which i can't blame him, since experience for this young team is huge for their success for the future.

At this point in the season, not many impact trades are made. I doubt there is too many players available that would be major impact to Indiana that would put us over the hump and get us into the playoffs.

Guys who i would think could be had are like Jason Thompson, Zach Randolph and Andray Blatche. Not really sure if any of these would really help us, except Randolph but i highly doubt Bird even considers him to come here.


Pick, Hansborough, TJ Ford for David Lee and Brandon Wright?
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#12 » by Indy2thaWindy » Tue Feb 1, 2011 4:27 am

old rem wrote:
Grang33r wrote:
PR07 wrote:It'll be interesting to see what kind of move Larry has in mind. By all accounts though, it seems like he's intent on dealing the draft pick.


That's what i am wondering. Seems like Bird wants to add a established veteran from all accounts if you listen to what Mike Wells and Bird have been saying recently and Bird really wants to make a run at this years playoffs, which i can't blame him, since experience for this young team is huge for their success for the future.

At this point in the season, not many impact trades are made. I doubt there is too many players available that would be major impact to Indiana that would put us over the hump and get us into the playoffs.

Guys who i would think could be had are like Jason Thompson, Zach Randolph and Andray Blatche. Not really sure if any of these would really help us, except Randolph but i highly doubt Bird even considers him to come here.


Pick, Hansborough, TJ Ford for David Lee and Brandon Wright?


I wouldn't do it.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#13 » by Miller4ever » Tue Feb 1, 2011 4:32 am

I'm just wondering why GS would trade somebody it dropped so much money on.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#14 » by jcodbf2 » Tue Feb 1, 2011 4:39 am

I think Dunleavy , Ford and McRoberts will be the ones packaged together if a trade happens.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#15 » by Scoot McGroot » Tue Feb 1, 2011 5:22 am

old rem wrote:
Grang33r wrote:
PR07 wrote:It'll be interesting to see what kind of move Larry has in mind. By all accounts though, it seems like he's intent on dealing the draft pick.


That's what i am wondering. Seems like Bird wants to add a established veteran from all accounts if you listen to what Mike Wells and Bird have been saying recently and Bird really wants to make a run at this years playoffs, which i can't blame him, since experience for this young team is huge for their success for the future.

At this point in the season, not many impact trades are made. I doubt there is too many players available that would be major impact to Indiana that would put us over the hump and get us into the playoffs.

Guys who i would think could be had are like Jason Thompson, Zach Randolph and Andray Blatche. Not really sure if any of these would really help us, except Randolph but i highly doubt Bird even considers him to come here.


Pick, Hansborough, TJ Ford for David Lee and Brandon Wright?


Tough call. Obviously, GS would want the pick more than anything, but I'd prefer to drop out the pick and Brandon Wright, and see if we can come to a conclusion on what would make up the ground. Obviously, if David Lee comes to Indy, Hansbrough really isn't necessary, and simply wouldn't get the time he needed to develop. Although, with 5 more years guaranteed at very large money, one wonders if maybe Hans and Ford would be more than enough. If the pick is included, a Posey for Radmanovic swap might have to be included too.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#16 » by Scoot McGroot » Tue Feb 1, 2011 5:23 am

jcodbf2 wrote:I think Dunleavy , Ford and McRoberts will be the ones packaged together if a trade happens.


That's an awful lot of money for not an awful lot of trade value, unless you're looking at bringing in contracts like Travis Outlaw, Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, or Rashard Lewis.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#17 » by Grang33r » Tue Feb 1, 2011 6:55 am

Scoot McGroot wrote:
jcodbf2 wrote:I think Dunleavy , Ford and McRoberts will be the ones packaged together if a trade happens.


That's an awful lot of money for not an awful lot of trade value, unless you're looking at bringing in contracts like Travis Outlaw, Elton Brand, Gilbert Arenas, or Rashard Lewis.


It's going to be real hard for Bird to find a deal he likes without killing our cap for next several years, as you stated.

The one deal i could see us make is TJ Ford to the Kings for Carl Landry. No sure on additional players to make it work, but Kings want a PG, it's been reported several times, and i doubt they want a long term option for Ford's one year deal could be perfect, and if they like what they see, they can re-sign him, and we could use Landry next to Hibbert.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#18 » by Wizop » Tue Feb 1, 2011 1:36 pm

I hope we're a little less anxious to deal after the coaching change. let's see who rises to to top. sure expiring contracts are nice trading pieces but once the contracts expire we'll be able to trade second draft picks (or contract rights to players in Europe) for players which is just as good.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#19 » by 8305 » Tue Feb 1, 2011 2:17 pm

Unless the Pacers can get a stud power forward I'd prefer using the rest of this season developing and assessing the capabilities of McRoberts and Hansbrough. In recent games I've seen McRoberts take it to Carlos Boozer and Hansbrough take it to David Lee. Pacers owe it to themselves to see if these two can do this on a regular basis.

Prime example of what not to do imo would be to bring in Carl Landry. For one I think both Hansbrough and McRoberts have the potential to be as good as Landry. Secondly, you could give Landry minutes for the rest of the season (at the expense of either or both Hansbrough and McRoberts) and then lose him (Landry) at the end of the season.
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Re: FanHouse: Bird Eager to Make Big Trade 

Post#20 » by Starkiller » Tue Feb 1, 2011 4:24 pm

8305 wrote:Unless the Pacers can get a stud power forward I'd prefer using the rest of this season developing and assessing the capabilities of McRoberts and Hansbrough. In recent games I've seen McRoberts take it to Carlos Boozer and Hansbrough take it to David Lee. Pacers owe it to themselves to see if these two can do this on a regular basis.

Prime example of what not to do imo would be to bring in Carl Landry. For one I think both Hansbrough and McRoberts have the potential to be as good as Landry. Secondly, you could give Landry minutes for the rest of the season (at the expense of either or both Hansbrough and McRoberts) and then lose him (Landry) at the end of the season.


Personally I think the tandem of Tyler and Josh play better than Landry anyway.
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