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Yahoo Sports reports serious mutual interest. a 4 with three point range coming off the bench would be a good addition.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nba--nba-f ... 54522.html

The Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks free agent Chris Copeland have a strong mutual interest, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Copleland, 29, played his career overseas until making a successful leap to the NBA last season. Multiple teams are in pursuit of him, but the Pacers are emerging as a strong possible destination for him, sources said.

I imagine that Indy has heavy interest in stretch 4's this season backing up David West. I would think Copeland would primarily play the 4 off the bench here.

In other news re: Copeland, he has stated he's willing to take less money to stay with the Knicks. However, they have VERY little money.

Merged. Good eye Wiz.

I read his less money to stay with Knicks comment as being in the context of returning to Europe. I think that comment might apply to all NBA offers. time will tell.

I prefer Budinger to Copeland. Solid shooter and can stretch out the offense but i think we all saw him play vs Indiana in the 6 game series, he was truly a liability on defense for them. Whenever he came on the court he was left in no-mans land and we attacked him.

Though, i am not sure how good (or bad) is Budinger's defensive game.

This guy is a clone Sam "Sleepy" Perkins. Sign me up. I would love to add a stretch 4 with his capabilities.

Grang33r wrote:I prefer Budinger to Copeland. Solid shooter and can stretch out the offense but i think we all saw him play vs Indiana in the 6 game series, he was truly a liability on defense for them. Whenever he came on the court he was left in no-mans land and we attacked him.

Though, i am not sure how good (or bad) is Budinger's defensive game.

Budinger's a pretty awful defensive player. Key is, Copeland is a hustle guy, and generally just has to D up big men as a backup PF. He can chase, but we can't fault him for not being able to D up West in the post.

Budinger has to chase guys all over the court.

Also, Copeland is likely half the cost of Budinger.

but were Copeland's defense issues lack of ability and focus or a function of the Knick's scheme or lack thereof? you know that anyone we sign is going to know that we defend and play physically. I don't think anyone would come here expecting not to have to toughen up particularly after Green's relegation to the bench.

BAE for him?

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Jake0890 wrote:BAE for him?

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I'd hope a bit less. I'd imagine that we really are looking at adding 3 players to the roster (in addition to re-signing David West). We'd probably want to keep one roster spot open.

In theory, we could S&T Hansbrough away in a deal. We could trade a Gerald Green (I don't see anyone else we really WANT to move right now, though others could be moved if the need arose). Then, we have the MLE, BAE, and vet minimum exceptions available to sign FA's.

There's some flexibility, but all of it has to be done with an eye towards saving money in 2014-15.

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Grang33r wrote:I prefer Budinger to Copeland. Solid shooter and can stretch out the offense but i think we all saw him play vs Indiana in the 6 game series, he was truly a liability on defense for them. Whenever he came on the court he was left in no-mans land and we attacked him.

Though, i am not sure how good (or bad) is Budinger's defensive game.

Budinger's a pretty awful defensive player. Key is, Copeland is a hustle guy, and generally just has to D up big men as a backup PF. He can chase, but we can't fault him for not being able to D up West in the post.

Budinger has to chase guys all over the court.

I don't agree that Budinger is an awful defensive player. Nor do the stats for this season. When Budinger was on the court, Minnesota gave up 3.9 less pts. He also was nicked up this season, missing a lot of playing time, so I wouldn't put too much stock into anything he did this season.

Here is where I am pulling the stats: http://www.82games.com/1213/12MIN10.HTM

Scoot McGroot wrote:There's some flexibility, but all of it has to be done with an eye towards saving money in 2014-15.

we can't be stupid and Bird said we weren't going to pay tax, but while one eye has to be on saving money, the other has to be on winning the East.

ardthomp wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

Grang33r wrote:I prefer Budinger to Copeland. Solid shooter and can stretch out the offense but i think we all saw him play vs Indiana in the 6 game series, he was truly a liability on defense for them. Whenever he came on the court he was left in no-mans land and we attacked him.

Though, i am not sure how good (or bad) is Budinger's defensive game.

Budinger's a pretty awful defensive player. Key is, Copeland is a hustle guy, and generally just has to D up big men as a backup PF. He can chase, but we can't fault him for not being able to D up West in the post.

Budinger has to chase guys all over the court.

I don't agree that Budinger is an awful defensive player. Nor do the stats for this season. When Budinger was on the court, Minnesota gave up 3.9 less pts. He also was nicked up this season, missing a lot of playing time, so I wouldn't put too much stock into anything he did this season.

Here is where I am pulling the stats: http://www.82games.com/1213/12MIN10.HTM

In all honesty, I have no idea on the stats on him. My comments come from watching him play throughout his career. Watch him, and he's just not good defensively.

I'd like to think that Budinger is a second choice to Copeland. as I remember he not only hit threes but got rebounds against us.

I'm honestly not a big fan of Copeland. I feel he won't add much to our team. I'd much rather have Bud.

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I like Copeland for a reasonable deal. The guy is capable of scoring points in bunches in short spells. A guy like that makes any teams bench dangerous. There have been moments this past season when the guy has walked in the game and hit 2 to 4 threes and sat back down in a couple minutes. That type of production can be difference makers in the crucial moments when the teams best scoring options are all on the bench,

SmashMouthRod wrote:I like Copeland for a reasonable deal. The guy is capable of scoring points in bunches in short spells. A guy like that makes any teams bench dangerous. There have been moments this past season when the guy has walked in the game and hit 2 to 4 threes and sat back down in a couple minutes. That type of production can be difference makers in the crucial moments when the teams best scoring options are all on the bench,

I agree. In a way, he's a perfect "cold" scorer. Throw him in for only 5-7 minutes, and he'll still put up 6-10 points in a hurry. Can't count on him to play 20+ minutes a night and be exposed defensively.

However, the big question on Copeland is "Was he a just having a GREAT shooting year", or is he really a permanently lights-out shooter?

He's also already 29.

Is Granger gonna start for you guys next year?

Watson-Stephenson-Hill-Copeland-Mahini-Green-Hans is a very formidable bench. Just a ton of different types of palyers & weapons. Think both Watson & Cope are good pickups to an already good team.

2Mas wrote:Is Granger gonna start for you guys next year?

Watson-Stephenson-Hill-Copeland-Mahini-Green-Hans is a very formidable bench. Just a ton of different types of palyers & weapons. Think both Watson & Cope are good pickups to an already good team.

Possibly. Lance and Danny are going to compete for the final starter spot.

Otherwise, Hansbrough is unlikely to return. We will be needing other backup PF options, including a Copeland possibility.

Green is likely to be shopped hard this summer as well in any and every possible way.