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According to Alex Kennedy of Hoopsworld, the Pacers are close to finalizing a deal with CJ Watson, formerly of the Brooklyn Nets. This would be in relation to our backup PG position.

Watson opted out of a deal with Brooklyn that would have paid him $1.1m this year.

That is solid. I've always thought he was a solid NBA player. He's a role player with the potential to take the game into his hands. He loves to have the ball and doesn't shy away from being the lead scorer when he's on the court. There was several times he went for 20+ in the times last few years i saw him play with Brooklyn or Chicago.

This move is mediocre if you ask me. There is no evidence to suggest he is even better than DJ or AJ. Hopefully they view him as Ben's replacement because we need to upgrade the b/u position.

Great pick up for the Pacers,you guys just land one of the better and younger back up PG in the game.If you'll can resign David West(which looks to be all but a lock) and and another peace to your bench your a real threat to make it out of the EAST.

Boneman2 wrote:This move is mediocre if you ask me. There is no evidence to suggest he is even better than DJ or AJ. Hopefully they view him as Ben's replacement because we need to upgrade the b/u position.

Eh, I'd disagree. He's infinitely better than AJ Price. Even as a poor shooter himself, CJ's career average is 4% points higher than AJ. From 3, he's almost 6% points better. Price is a borderline NBA player. Watson is a solid NBA backup PG. Not a threat to start.

Watson is also a better ball handler and shooter (percentage wise) than Augustin.

I wouldn't be surprised if Watson is also only coming in around $2m or so. I'd imagine the BAE at max. This would preserve the MLE for another PG and possibly another big man.

Kennedy once again tweets:

Alex Kennedy ‏@AlexKennedyNBA 7m

It sounds like C.J. Watson's contract with the Indiana Pacers will be a two-year deal. It'll likely be worth more than the minimum.

I think the hope is to get Allen with the MLE. Budinger then would be signed using the room that becomes available after West is signed for a number below his hold. if CJ is being signed sooner, that could mean we're using the smaller every other year exemption for him. not sure then how Copeland fits in.

Wizop wrote:I think the hope is to get Allen with the MLE. Budinger then would be signed using the room that becomes available after West is signed for a number below his hold. if CJ is being signed sooner, that could mean we're using the smaller every other year exemption for him. not sure then how Copeland fits in.

We won't have ANYTHING below the cap number unless West walks in free agency. At all. If West signs for over $6.5m, with other cap holds and roster holds, we're at the salary cap.

We have the MLE (around $5m), the BAE (around $2.5m), and then minimum salary exceptions. That's about it. Also, S&T's.

Wolves21 wrote:Great pick up for the Pacers,you guys just land one of the better and younger back up PG in the game.If you'll can resign David West(which looks to be all but a lock) and and another peace to your bench your a real threat to make it out of the EAST.

Younger as in 29 years young. I don't know that he is better than most other options either. If it's just for the minimum than it is really not a major signing and not worth the fuss. Proven backups go for at least 4 million, similar to Ridnour.

Kinda meh. Better than AJ Price, but not sure about DJ...

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I don't think theres any question if he's better then DJ Augustin.

This is what Woj wrote:

"Once the Indiana Pacers come to terms with free-agent forward David West, Budinger is expected to be a priority to bolster their bench, sources said."

have to assume the same strategy would work for Copeland.

Wizop wrote:This is what Woj wrote:

"Once the Indiana Pacers come to terms with free-agent forward David West, Budinger is expected to be a priority to bolster their bench, sources said."

have to assume the same strategy would work for Copeland.

Yup. Sam Amico tweeted that we've also had some contact with the Bulls about an apparent S&T of Marco Belinelli (as Belinelli is an unrestricted free agent and we wouldn't need to contact the Bulls about him for any other reason).

However, Amico also pretty much struck out with rumors during draft week, so take it with a grain of salt.

Watson has reportedly tweeted "keep us the pace" suggesting he is happy to be headed this way. the option he declined was 1.1 which suggests the number could be under the 3 DJ got last year. perhaps he's getting the mini-mid.

as for S&T, what could our side of such a deal be other than Green or Tyler?

Plumlee?

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Wizop wrote:This is what Woj wrote:

"Once the Indiana Pacers come to terms with free-agent forward David West, Budinger is expected to be a priority to bolster their bench, sources said."

have to assume the same strategy would work for Copeland.

Yup. Sam Amico tweeted that we've also had some contact with the Bulls about an apparent S&T of Marco Belinelli (as Belinelli is an unrestricted free agent and we wouldn't need to contact the Bulls about him for any other reason).

However, Amico also pretty much struck out with rumors during draft week, so take it with a grain of salt.

I would LOVE Bellinelli. He tore us to pieces whenever we played the Bulls. Replace Green with him off the bench.

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Wizop wrote:Watson has reportedly tweeted "keep us the pace" suggesting he is happy to be headed this way. the option he declined was 1.1 which suggests the number could be under the 3 DJ got last year. perhaps he's getting the mini-mid.

as for S&T, what could our side of such a deal be other than Green or Tyler?

We don't have a Mini-MLE. We have the full MLE. This year, the MLE is $5.15m. We also have the BAE. The BAE can be used for up to a 2 year contract (notice that Watson is talked as a 2 year deal?) and the first year is up to $2.016m. The BAE and MLE can be split amongst multiple players. In both the MLE and BAE, the players can receive up to a 4.5% raise each year. The MLE can be up to a 4 year contract, but must be fully guaranteed in the 1st year. The BAE can be up to a 2 year contract, but must be fully guaranteed in year 1. If we use the BAE this year, we cannot use it next year. In theory we could use the MLE every single year.

Wizop wrote:Watson has reportedly tweeted "keep us the pace" suggesting he is happy to be headed this way. the option he declined was 1.1 which suggests the number could be under the 3 DJ got last year. perhaps he's getting the mini-mid.

as for S&T, what could our side of such a deal be other than Green or Tyler?

S&T options are Hansbroughs, Pendergraph and Augustin, yes?

Pendi? can a trade involve new contracts on both sides? is Beli worth more than mini-mid? With Rose back, Chicago has extra point guards. over the last two years they've let go several that outplayed DJ.

MNPacersfan wrote:

Wizop wrote:Watson has reportedly tweeted "keep us the pace" suggesting he is happy to be headed this way. the option he declined was 1.1 which suggests the number could be under the 3 DJ got last year. perhaps he's getting the mini-mid.

as for S&T, what could our side of such a deal be other than Green or Tyler?

S&T options are Hansbroughs, Pendergraph and Augustin, yes?

The Bulls CANNOT RECEIVE a player in a S&T as they are over the luxury tax apron, and thus ineligible.

However, they could SEND OUT a player via S&T. Thus, we'd have to trade a player that is currently under contract.

So no to ANY of our free agents.