What position could we use a upgrade?

[Train7492]

So here is the question if we had a chance to upgrade one position what would it be? Now I'm using logic here. Our guard rotation is not to bad, and when Granger comes back George will get a few more minutes at the 2.
I think that position would be back-up center. Mahinmi is not bad but I think if we had a center that could average 7 to 8 points, someone with a little more offensive game and still average at defense. One thing I'm worried about is Hibbert logging alot of minutes for the whole season will his body hold up, for his size he has been very lucky, but I think he works real hard at taking care of himself. Just thought I would throw this out and see what everyone else opinion was.

[EuroPacer]

I don't really think we need upgrades anymore. At the beginning of the season I was quite keen on getting a more creating point guard, but the way things have worked out so far I can see why I am just a fan at a distance and Bird is a GM.

Mahinmi is not an average defensive center by the way, he is invaluable in replacing Hibbert when push comes to shove (Hibbert struggling with a foul-load for example) it will prove difficult to find a better back up than Mahinmi for similar money.

Within the constraints of our budget I think we have the best NBA team ounce for ounce.

[Jake0890]

If we take salary out of this, I would say backup center. We paid Mahinmi more than he's worth and gave him a long-ish term contract for him to miss layups, put backs, and free throws all game.

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[Scoot McGroot]

I can understand the Ian arguments, but unless you're willing to let Lance walk for nothing and pay a backup center $8-ish million a year, you're just not getting a fully capable backup center that is a positive on both offense and defense. We've chosen to go with a guy that's a big plus on defense, and is passable to put on the court offensively in Ian. To me, I'd rather do that than go the opposite and have a good offensive guy, but someone who can't play a lick of defense.

[JDLAW]

Saw portions of your game against the Heat - as a Suns Fan I was looking at how Luis Scola was doing. I have to say I was very impressed with your team. I do not see a lot of areas where Pacers can upgrade reasonably, but one that comes to mind is back-up point guard - not saying CJ Watson is incapable, but you might want to look at Kendall Marshall currently having success in D-League. He is a big rangy pass-first guard whose shot is improving. I always thought he might fit well in with the Pacers' offensive scheme and he would be cheap.

[mikepacernation]

Saw portions of your game against the Heat - as a Suns Fan I was looking at how Luis Scola was doing. I have to say I was very impressed with your team. I do not see a lot of areas where Pacers can upgrade reasonably, but one that comes to mind is back-up point guard - not saying CJ Watson is incapable, but you might want to look at Kendall Marshall currently having success in D-League. He is a big rangy pass-first guard whose shot is improving. I always thought he might fit well in with the Pacers' offensive scheme and he would be cheap.

that's crazy talk Watson is doing amazing for us. Kendall Marshall is nothing compared to what Watson bring to us.


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[GrandBasterd]

This is an easy one. I think we are a swingman short from being pretty perfectly built, and hopefully granger will fill that need.
Obviously the starters are tremendous.
CJ has been amazing, and so has Scola.
I'm very happy with Ian, he plays with a lot of energy and think we are pretty fortunate to have a back up center of his caliber.
Now for the back up 2/3, I had high hopes for Orlando, thought he played great last season, but he hasn't progressed this season. He sucks. Hill is a rookie. I think that's the area we are weakest.
(I'm crossing my fingers Granger doesn't repeat last seasons "comeback")

[Scoot McGroot]

Saw portions of your game against the Heat - as a Suns Fan I was looking at how Luis Scola was doing. I have to say I was very impressed with your team. I do not see a lot of areas where Pacers can upgrade reasonably, but one that comes to mind is back-up point guard - not saying CJ Watson is incapable, but you might want to look at Kendall Marshall currently having success in D-League. He is a big rangy pass-first guard whose shot is improving. I always thought he might fit well in with the Pacers' offensive scheme and he would be cheap.

We love Watson. He's everything we want out of a backup PG, and Marshall simply isn't. We want a PG that can pretty much only bring the ball across half court, dump it into the system, move without the ball, hit a 3, and defend the crap out of the other guys. As you described Marshall, he's the opposite of what we want, since he's not a defender, and he's a passer with a poor shot.

We're doing pretty darned well and are pretty darned happy with both Watson AND Sloan.

[Wizop]

we chose Sloan in the summer as our third point guard, and when we've needed him, he's been fine. no need to risk chemistry for a d-leaguer.

before the season started we worried about lacking a third center. that's probably the spot we'd fill but we really can get by as long as no one gets hurt. as has been said, Ian is fine on defense. if we want to go with players who can score more we have both West and Scola.

[Miller4ever]

Starting small forward. It's horrible.

[mikepacernation]

Starting small forward. It's horrible.

yea I agree and starting center!


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[Miller4ever]

We should start tanking for Wiggins or Parker. Fire whichever clown is president of basketball operations and replace our coach with Mike Woodson.

[Gremz]

We should start tanking for Wiggins or Parker. Fire whichever clown is president of basketball operations and replace our coach with Jason Kidd.

Fixed.

[Scoot McGroot]

We should start tanking for Wiggins or Parker. Fire whichever clown is president of basketball operations and replace our coach with Jason Kidd.

Fixed.

BOOM!


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[8305]

The position that could use an upgrade? Backup wing. Lance Stephenson/Paul George to Orlando Johnson, biggest dropoff that exists on our bench. Replace OJ with a savy guy, who's got playoff experience who can also shoot and maybe defend a little. That would be a nice upgrade.

Beyond that, next summer when I think the Pacers will have about 6 mil under the salary cap (before resigning Lance) would it be possible to use that 6 mil to upgrade Lance? I haven't spent any time pooring over the prospective free agents for 2014 but that might be an intersting consideration.

[Wizop]

The position that could use an upgrade? Backup wing. Lance Stephenson/Paul George to Orlando Johnson, biggest dropoff that exists on our bench.

the hope or should I say expectation is that Granger will fill that role this year. there is plenty of time to think of backup plans should that not work out.

Beyond that, next summer when I think the Pacers will have about 6 mil under the salary cap (before resigning Lance) would it be possible to use that 6 mil to upgrade Lance? I haven't spent any time pouring over the prospective free agents for 2014 but that might be an interesting consideration.

Lance is going to be an unrestricted free agent as the rules do not allow us to pay him what he is worth as an extension. we have to wait until his contract is over and start fresh in the open market. given that Lance is only 23 and has shown huge improvement over the last year, I think our first choice will be to keep him and if we are outbid I think our second choice would be to offer the same money to a healthy Granger. I don't want to even think about a third choice.

[Scoot McGroot]

Beyond that, next summer when I think the Pacers will have about 6 mil under the salary cap (before resigning Lance) would it be possible to use that 6 mil to upgrade Lance? I haven't spent any time pooring over the prospective free agents for 2014 but that might be an intersting consideration.

I'm a little confused by the question. Are you asking whom we could acquire that would cost about $6m next year and either trade Lance in that deal, or let walk for nothing this offseason?


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[8305]

Beyond that, next summer when I think the Pacers will have about 6 mil under the salary cap (before resigning Lance) would it be possible to use that 6 mil to upgrade Lance? I haven't spent any time pooring over the prospective free agents for 2014 but that might be an intersting consideration.

I'm a little confused by the question. Are you asking whom we could acquire that would cost about $6m next year and either trade Lance in that deal, or let walk for nothing this offseason?


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Yeah, sorry for not making the question more clear.

I'm thinking summer 2104. Pacers can spend money availavble under the luxury tax to resign Lance or look another direction. My question, is there any possibility that we would elect to let Lance walk because there could be a more attractive option on the free agent market?

[EuroPacer]

The only potential upgrades I see, that might fit the Pacers, are Sefolosha and Hayward and both will sign for a lot more than 6 million I think. Problem is, so will Stephenson. I reckon he will be worth 8-9 million if he keeps his current play up. Unfortunately, unlike many others here, I don't think he will actually be worth that money long term.

[mikepacernation]

IMO I don't think lance is worth more the 6-7 million he's way to inconsistent and turns the ball over and just a lot of senseless dribbling to.


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