Kevin Pritchard on the state of the Pacers after the trade deadline

Post #1 » by **boomershadow** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:01 am

Some insights about the state of the team and why the Pacers ended up not making any move before the trade deadline. Saw this sometime while I was watching the Knicks game earlier today, and I know it got talked about some in the game thread, but it seems like it deserves its own thread.

Watch on YouTube

The biggest surprise to me was him talking about Big Al's influence in the locker room.

Post #2 » by **Jake0890** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 4:29 am

I really, really like KP as a GM. I had my gripes about not adding a player like Mudiay or Payton (and still do - neither the Knicks nor the Suns gave up a player to get those guys), but I'll live with it.

His talk of the NBA Draft being his target is really interesting. As he said, there'll be opportunities to take on contracts during the draft with their contracts and that could be "our" trade deadline.

Pritchard taking the long term view here is good to see.

Pacersike · Post #3 » by **Pacersike** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:39 am

Good hear.

Looks like they are willing to give Myles Turner an extra summer to add some necessary muscle but remain openminded about making a splash during the draft.

I can live with that. 8-)

They very much like Domas and there is no firm belief that him and Myles can start games together. Good realistic view of the situation and they are hesitant to make decisions because of the relationship they have with our players.

I understand that. It's easier to make trade decisions when you (can) not connect with the people involved.

Wizop · Post #4 » by **Wizop** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 8:16 pm

the star has a follow up story based on a post game interview with Big Al. noteworthy is Al saying he was not one of the six but that he thanked Pritchard after the game for not trading him.

Post #5 » by **boomershadow** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:30 pm

Saw an interview where Thad said he was one of the six. So him plus Collison and Bojan for sure?

winter_mute_13 · Post #6 » by **winter_mute_13** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:32 pm

Jake0890 wrote:I really, really like KP as a GM. I had my gripes about not adding a player like Mudiay or Payton (and still do - neither the Knicks nor the Suns gave up a player to get those guys), but I'll live with it.

His talk of the NBA Draft being his target is really interesting. As he said, there'll be opportunities to take on contracts during the draft with their contracts and that could be "our" trade deadline.

Pritchard taking the long term view here is good to see.

I also thought of Payton as one of the 3 deals they pursued. Vonleh from Portland was possibly one of the others. And for the third one my guess is some salary dump with the Wizards.

Mudiay probably wasn't though. Denver wanted a vet PG back, which they got in Devin Harris. It might be that we had the chance to acquire Mudiay as part of the Faired discussion, but that would require sending a player back.

There will be opportunities during the draft for sure, but how the Pacers' unused cap space (all $5.8m of it) factors in is less clear. It's definitely nice to have that flexibility though, and maybe we can make creative use of the cap space as part of a larger deal.

While KP keeping the team together because the players asked is a nice story, one also has to think that the right opportunities just didn't come up. All the flexibility that KP talks about as an asset, is only possible if we're willing to trade some of those team friendly contracts away. That $30m to $50m amount in cap space for example - we get to $30m by waive & stretch of all 3 of DC, Bojan, and AlJeff, and we can get up to $50m only if both Thad and CoJo opt out in addition and we renounce them. So while it's nice that the gang gets to stay together a little longer, it's not necessarily a permanent state of affairs.

KP also talked a little about the kind of players he wanted to add to the core. He seems pretty sold on Oladipo being the main initiator, which made me think those rumors of Kemba Walker were overblown. Specifically he said he's looking for these qualities: able to defend his position, make shots, and show some toughness. That sounded more like CoJo (or a better version of CoJo) than a Kemba type player. It could also be that he's looking for a SF with those qualities. He did make it crystal clear that all 3 of Dipo, Myles, and Domas are part of the future core, in case anyone's in doubt.

winter_mute_13 · Post #7 » by **winter_mute_13** » Mon Feb 12, 2018 11:39 pm

boomershadow wrote:Saw an interview where Thad said he was one of the six. So him plus Collison and Bojan for sure?

And Al said he wasn't of them.

Want to guess the others?

I'm thinking Lance, because Lance was here when we traded Granger and had the second half meltdown. He's also moved around a lot so he knows firsthand how rare chemistry is.

After that, it's tough. I'm gonna say Victor and Corey, because they've both been on a bunch of different teams. CoJo seems a little unlikely though because he's had a charmed bball life, making the playoffs in 5 of his 6 seasons. But I'll stay with my guess anyway.

Post #8 » by **pacers33granger** » Tue Feb 13, 2018 12:13 am

winter_mute_13 wrote: CoJo seems a little unlikely though because he's had a charmed bball life, making the playoffs in 5 of his 6 seasons. But I'll stay with my guess anyway.

I think he was definitely one of the 6. He strikes me as a guy who would really take to the heart the world not believing in this team.

Wizop · Post #9 » by **Wizop** » Tue Feb 13, 2018 1:10 am

I think we offered to take a contract on if we got a first round pick too. no such trades happened so we probably didn't turn one down.

I'm happy we didn't buy into the notion that because a player wouldn't be a starter three years from now, we needed to move him now. I could be wrong but isn't the tax based on where you are at the end of the fiscal year? trading reopens as each team's season ends so tax dumping may not be over. Pritchard said as much.

Sent from my phone.

xxSnEaKyPxx · Post #10 » by **xxSnEaKyPxx** » Tue Feb 13, 2018 2:27 am

boomershadow wrote:Saw an interview where Thad said he was one of the six. So him plus Collison and Bojan for sure?

I think Victor has to be a given.

I would imagine Turner as well.

Wizop · Post #11 » by **Wizop** » Tue Feb 13, 2018 2:50 am

not sure about Victor. the way Pritchard singled out Collison and Bogie saying they were new, has me thinking others were here last year. Turner, Thad, Lance, and Joe?

Sent from my phone.

Topofthekey · Post #12 » by **Topofthekey** » Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:28 am

Let's eliminate those who are unlikely part of the 6.

TJ Leaf, because it'd be downright bizarre for a rookie with no achievements to do that. Same goes with Ike and Poythress. GR3 hasn't even played a game yet, so again extremely unlikely for him.

Lance is unlikely to be traded, and even if he did get traded, he strikes me as someone who's going to be cool with it. Same with Big Al, he's playing out the tail end of his career and he's seasoned enough to be very professional about being traded.

Now if I look at motivations, I can see Bogie, DC, and CoJo not wanting to be traded the most on the team.

Bogie has the most to lose if he gets traded. He's probably trying to play for a contract, so having the starter spot on the Pacers probably means a lot to him. Last thing he wants if to be traded and buried on a bench somewhere.

CoJo is also in a contract situation, and he has played relatively well this season, so I'd imagine he'd want to maintain the status quo rather than change team. DC as well. Plus they are all newcomers to the team, a team that people expected to be rubbish, yet the team is overachieving, so it's natural for them to feel that they are part of something that they want to see to the end of the season.

Beyond that, it's a matter of interpersonal dynamics. Thad and Myles are team captains. Vic is the unofficial leader. It says A LOT whether players get their support or not in something like this. So having them show up together with those who didn't want to be traded sends a much stronger message, and also shows that the entire team is in solidarity with each other.

Can you imagine if Bogie, DC, and CoJo wanting to talk to KP and either one of Thad or Myles or Vic not wanting to go together with them to show support?

AussiePacer · Post #13 » by **AussiePacer** » Wed Feb 14, 2018 8:58 am

Players are the best FA advocates, and this stuff permeates through the league.

Like how we've positioned it and happy to give this team a chance to continue along their journey - they HAVE earned it.

Wizop · Post #14 » by **Wizop** » Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:30 pm

Topofthekey wrote:Lance is unlikely to be traded, and even if he did get traded, he strikes me as someone who's going to be cool with it. Same with Big Al, he's playing out the tail end of his career and he's seasoned enough to be very professional about being traded.

Now if I look at motivations, I can see Bogie, DC, and CoJo not wanting to be traded the most on the team.

I don't assume the six said they wanted to stay here. I think they said they wanted to keep the group together. so the six may have included players who knew they themselves were not part of any serious trade rumors but were speaking on behalf of their teammates who were.

Pacers_Freak · Post #15 » by **Pacers_Freak** » Wed Feb 14, 2018 2:40 pm

Wizop wrote:
Topofthekey wrote:Lance is unlikely to be traded, and even if he did get traded, he strikes me as someone who's going to be cool with it. Same with Big Al, he's playing out the tail end of his career and he's seasoned enough to be very professional about being traded.

Now if I look at motivations, I can see Bogie, DC, and CoJo not wanting to be traded the most on the team.

I don't assume the six said they wanted to stay here. I think they said they wanted to keep the group together. so the six may have included players who knew they themselves were not part of any serious trade rumors but were speaking on behalf of their teammates who were.

Bingo