Thad Young Declining His PO?

[Moooose]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/23765052/thaddeus-young-indiana-pacers-decline-option-free-agency

I know we can have some other options in the free agency, but I'd rather re-sign Thad to a contract extension. His biggest contributions are his intangibles and he fits this team perfectly.

[Cresy06]

This sucks.
I really like him, but I don't know if I want us to negotiate a long-term contract. 3 years would still be ok, but we need flexibility for Turner and Domas when their contracts are up.

On the other hand, this gives us some room to play with other ideas.
Do we keep the team together like it is and replace Thad with Domas, maybe draft a versatile Big as a backup?
Do we try to acquire a younger big and hope he can develop like Oladipo did for us? Thinking about Aaron Gordon, Jabari Parker, etc.

[MUpacersSIC]

If he declines the only way I bring him back is on a three year deal for $5-6 million/year, which is less than he likely would get elsewhere. At this point, swing for the fences with an offer sheet for Gordon or maybe Randle. I’m not super excited about this free agent class.


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[Wizop]

I'd be okay with 2 years guaranteed and a team option for a 3rd at around 15mm. as I've written on the trade board though, if Cleveland blows it up I'd try to get Love.

I don't see a 4 at 23 that would be better than Leaf. I still want to use the draft to find a backup for Bogie or DC.

I'm not a Gordon fan. I do like Randle.

Sent from my phone.

[Scoot McGroot]

If he declines the only way I bring him back is on a three year deal for $5-6 million/year, which is less than he likely would get elsewhere. At this point, swing for the fences with an offer sheet for Gordon or maybe Randle. I’m not super excited about this free agent class.


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Thad’s the kind of guy that will have multiple MLE offers to choose from.

[DoubleEagle4]

Randle is like a younger version of Thad. He isn't afraid to go in there and bang with bigger guys. I think he would be great for the team. Kind of sucks that Thad is probably gone, but I don't blame him if he chases money while he still can.

[Scoot McGroot]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2018/06/11/free-agent-options-if-indiana-pacers-forward-thad-young-opts-out/693005002/

[Moooose]

I like Randle a lot. But just like Aaron Gordon, we may need to overpay them to get them. Los Angeles seems to have long-term plans with Randle while Orlando may need to wait a bit til the draft to determine if they'll keep Gordon.

Jerami Grant is a cheaper option if we decide not to break the bank on Thad's replacement. And plus, he's an UFA.

There aren't much draftees around the 23rd who could be molded to fill Thad's role other than Keita Bates-Diop and Chimezie Metu. Thing is, we could be looking at a PG or a wing if we go BPA. As much as I like Isaac Bonga, I think it'd be a shocker if he gets drafted by the Pacers.

I am hoping he changes his mind. Or better yet, sign an extension for 2 to 3 years max at a reasonable price.

[Wizop]

Jerami Grant is a cheaper option if we decide not to break the bank on Thad's replacement. And plus, he's an UFA.

and OKC may use up its budget trying to keep PG13. I'd be happy with a low dollar move like this to buy time for Leaf.

[Moooose]

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2018/06/11/free-agent-options-if-indiana-pacers-forward-thad-young-opts-out/693005002/

Good list but I can't see them fitting better in the Pacers's style of play. Well, aside from Randle.

Favors will only clog the interior and will force either Myles or Domas into playing in the perimeter. I'd rather have Trevor Booker back as he'd fit in better.

Ilyasova is nice but I kinda find his play erratic. Throughout his career, it's been hit or miss seasons for him.

Ariza is older and is already showing signs of slowing down.

[Jake0890]

If we let Thad walk, we better be taking a swing at some of the bigger free agents.

I would be livid if all we did with our cap space this summer + Thad's declined option was to replace Thad with someone like Ariza or Ilyasova. We need to be looking at Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, Marcus Smart, etc.

[winter_mute_13]

Jerami Grant is a cheaper option if we decide not to break the bank on Thad's replacement. And plus, he's an UFA.

Same guy I thought of.

I wouldn't mind Thad choosing to stay for one year at his current salary. I wouldn't mind re-signing Thad for multiple years at a lower salary. But if we end up paying Thad more than his option value, for multiple years, well that would suck. I kinda feel that we're the only team that might value him that highly, with KP's talk of his leadership and intangibles. That stuff is great, but we need the tangibles too, you know.

[Wizop]

If we let Thad walk, we better be taking a swing at some of the bigger free agents.

I would be livid if all we did with our cap space this summer + Thad's declined option was to replace Thad with someone like Ariza or Ilyasova. We need to be looking at Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, Marcus Smart, etc.

Collison, Joseph, and Bogdanovic turned out way better than expected last year even though none were big names. I'd suggest not getting livid too soon.

I do think Ilyasova fits. I like Randle if only to tweak the Lakers. I'm luke warm on Gordon and don't like Smart at anywhere near the reported asking price.

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[basketballwacko2]

If he declines the only way I bring him back is on a three year deal for $5-6 million/year, which is less than he likely would get elsewhere. At this point, swing for the fences with an offer sheet for Gordon or maybe Randle. I’m not super excited about this free agent class.


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Thad’s the kind of guy that will have multiple MLE offers to choose from.

I'd offer him a 4 yr deal at $10 million per and final year with a $2 million guarantee. That might be one year too many.

[Jake0890]

If we let Thad walk, we better be taking a swing at some of the bigger free agents.

I would be livid if all we did with our cap space this summer + Thad's declined option was to replace Thad with someone like Ariza or Ilyasova. We need to be looking at Julius Randle, Aaron Gordon, Marcus Smart, etc.

Collison, Joseph, and Bogdanovic turned out way better than expected last year even though none were big names. I'd suggest not getting livid too soon.

I do think Ilyasova fits. I like Randle if only to tweak the Lakers. I'm luke warm on Gordon and don't like Smart at anywhere near the reported asking price.

Sent from my phone.

I do think there's an important distinction between Collison, Joseph, and Bogie exceeding expectations and signing Trevor Ariza (32 y/o) and Ersan Ilyasova (31 y/o). Maybe not DC as he played the veteran role player spot for awhile for a variety of teams, but Joseph and Bogie were more of underused bench guys on bad teams. Ariza still has value in that role and fits on a contending team nicely, but anyhting more than the min for Ersan isn't something I'm too interested in.

Also, it's more of an opportunity cost thing. As in, by using that money and filling that role on the team, who have you excluded from potentially acquiring?

[Wizop]

Joseph and Bogie were more of underused bench guys on bad teams.

Joseph came from Toronto for Miles. a backup yes, but not a bad team. wasn't Bogie on Washington having been traded from Nets?

It is true that we tend to know older players better. based on last year, I have confidence in Pritchards ability to find talent that isn't on our radar.

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[Lazlo4D]

This summer seems like cap space room is at a MAX premium. I hope he Pacers wait and see if they can be a major facilitator of some of the big trades and pull in some unprotected future 1st round picks. (no 2nd rounders or protected junk).

Boston and to a lesser degree Utah have shown how to always be in the middle of things by having a portfolio of future picks.

Hard not to be jealous of Boston deals. Still mad Pacers didn't hire Brad Stevens because they didn't want to hurt Butler.

[pizza guy]

This summer seems like cap space room is at a MAX premium. I hope he Pacers wait and see if they can be a major facilitator of some of the big trades and pull in some unprotected future 1st round picks. (no 2nd rounders or protected junk).

Boston and to a lesser degree Utah have shown how to always be in the middle of things by having a portfolio of future picks.

Hard not to be jealous of Boston deals. Still mad Pacers didn't hire Brad Stevens because they didn't want to hurt Butler.

Definitely agree with you here. Pritchard has already said (a few times, I think) that he's looking forward to this summer's trade market. Given our cap space and easily trade-able contracts, I do think this will be our first goal this off-season. The Faried+#14 deal sounds too good to pass up, in my opinion. Guys like Gordon could be sign-and-trade options. Atlanta and the Clippers have multiple draft picks (anyone else?) in the first round. I've seen that Dallas and Sacramento are open to trading down from the top of the draft. And there will be no shortage of teams trying to clear cap space to chase LeBron, PG, CP3, and others, and just to avoid the LT on underwhelming rosters (Portland, Washington). We're in a great position to facilitate those deals for proper compensation, and if Thad opts out and looks elsewhere, we'll just have that much more flexibility.

[Scoot McGroot]

This summer seems like cap space room is at a MAX premium. I hope he Pacers wait and see if they can be a major facilitator of some of the big trades and pull in some unprotected future 1st round picks. (no 2nd rounders or protected junk).

Boston and to a lesser degree Utah have shown how to always be in the middle of things by having a portfolio of future picks.

Hard not to be jealous of Boston deals. Still mad Pacers didn't hire Brad Stevens because they didn't want to hurt Butler.

They didn’t hire Stevens simply because the timing never matched up.

[Tom White]

Still mad Pacers didn't hire Brad Stevens because they didn't want to hurt Butler.

I heard it was because they were afraid Blue the Butler Bulldog would bite them.