RealGM

Just throwing this out there as we start seeing options offered or declined, as well as qualifying offers extended or declined.

I was inspired by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson being declined a QO by Brooklyn in order to maximize their cap space. He's been a terrible shooter his entire career, but has proven to be a guy that can defend the 3 and 4 spots very well, and can guard bigger 2's and smaller 5's. He's a bit similar to Thad in that regards, though clearly not as proven. He didn't have a great regular season, but really put 4 solid games together in the playoffs for Brooklyn this year when it mattered.

Maybe not a minimum salary guy, but a room exception or below? He's interesting. To me, at least.

Who you seeing out there that might just need a new spot to put it together?

RHJ is an interesting one. Still not sure what to make of him.

Not a free agent but I think we could get more out of Ntilikina than NY has. If they just want to clear his salary and pick up some 2nds id bite.

there is a paradox or a catch 22 here. the players I'm most familiar with have played for a long time and I hope we find up and comers which means I don't know them well.

Sent from my phone.

pacers33granger wrote:RHJ is an interesting one. Still not sure what to make of him.

Not a free agent but I think we could get more out of Ntilikina than NY has. If they just want to clear his salary and pick up some 2nds id bite.

Maybe. But it’s still a lot of money on frank for a guy that can only defend and can’t do anything else, including dribble, really. I’d probably wait until his 4th year is declined, and he goes to unrestricted free agency and hope to try him on a vet minimum.

But I like the thinking of less desired guys out there on other teams. Gallinari could be an idea to absorb if the Clippers are looking at multiples and if Bojan goes elsewhere.

As far as other vets, I like the idea of Anthony Tolliver with some of a room exception to take the KOQ role.

Scoot McGroot wrote:

pacers33granger wrote:RHJ is an interesting one. Still not sure what to make of him.

Not a free agent but I think we could get more out of Ntilikina than NY has. If they just want to clear his salary and pick up some 2nds id bite.

Maybe. But it’s still a lot of money on frank for a guy that can only defend and can’t do anything else, including dribble, really. I’d probably wait until his 4th year is declined, and he goes to unrestricted free agency and hope to try him on a vet minimum.

Yeah I can see that. I'm still reasonably high on his potential and feel our staff could at the least make use of his defensive potential enough that the gamble is worth $10 mil over the next 2 years.

As a slightly aside I think there will be a good chunk of bargain deals this offseason. The cap space will likely get eaten up quick and there are a ton of free agents this summer. We could have a chance of nabbing some bargain guys if we wait a bit, but the problem is nearly all those guys will want one year deals to jump back in next summer.

But guys I'd keep an eye on:

Dudley - we could use a vet like him in the Big Al role at the forward spot
MKG - if he declines his PO, could be a nice buy low-ish candidate
Nwaba - we had interest last year and almost signed him; could promise a bigger role depending on how things shake out
Quinn Cook - liked what I saw of him in the playoffs, but he also strikes me as the type of guy who would underperform for us
Payton - could be an interesting reclamation project
Holmes - not sure where he fits, but we could use his energy

pacers33granger wrote:As a slightly aside I think there will be a good chunk of bargain deals this offseason. The cap space will likely get eaten up quick and there are a ton of free agents this summer. We could have a chance of nabbing some bargain guys if we wait a bit, but the problem is nearly all those guys will want one year deals to jump back in next summer.

But guys I'd keep an eye on:

Dudley - we could use a vet like him in the Big Al role at the forward spot
MKG - if he declines his PO, could be a nice buy low-ish candidate
Nwaba - we had interest last year and almost signed him; could promise a bigger role depending on how things shake out
Quinn Cook - liked what I saw of him in the playoffs, but he also strikes me as the type of guy who would underperform for us
Payton - could be an interesting reclamation project
Holmes - not sure where he fits, but we could use his energy

I like these names. They’re definitely interesting and fill roles.

I like MKG, a lot. Another guy who can replace Thad's role. Shame about his shooting though.

Nwaba is interesting to me too as a youngish wing with (maybe) still some potential. I wasn't aware the Pacers tried to sign him (or I forgot, LOL). Would be an interesting pickup.

pacers33granger wrote:Quinn Cook - liked what I saw of him in the playoffs, but he also strikes me as the type of guy who would underperform for us

and a boyhood friend of Victor's.

Hoping we go for D’angelo Russell, from Louisville and played at Ohio State

Reclamation projects

Stanley Johnson
Mario Herzonja

I think they have both had moments when they looked like they could play. Both still young.

8305 wrote:Reclamation projects

Stanley Johnson
Mario Herzonja

I think they have both had moments when they looked like they could play. Both still young.

If cheap I wouldn't mind bringing them in as backups.

ahartleyvu wrote:Hoping we go for D’angelo Russell, from Louisville and played at Ohio State

It's not up to us, though. I think we'd have to see Kyrie go to Brooklyn first, and then stomach a lot of posturing from Brooklyn about matching DAR, since he's restricted, before cutting him loose.

If we go after DAR, there are no backup options. We have to see what Brooklyn does first, and our cap will be tied up from essentially July 1 until July 8, the end of the moratorium on the 6th, and two days of restricted matching period after that. If Brooklyn matches, then most everyone will be gone.

I see us bringing in one solid reclamation project. A Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Stanley Johnson, Mario Hezonja, etc, would all fit in that category. Gotta come relatively cheap, though.

OK, I'll start with a few of the more obvious names, roughly in order of desirability

D'Angelo Russell-
Seems like Pacers have a real shot at signing him, and if we do sign him, he'll instantly be the team's biggest FA signing, like ever. I'm definitely keeping an eye on how this develops

Julius Randle-
I've come around a little bit about him, I'd be quite happy to see him sign with the team, preferably together with Russell. Sure, we all would like to see Domas get more playing time by starting, but I'm happy to have Domas continue be the 6th man if Randle is the starting PF

Nikola Mirotic-
Not as consistent as Randle, but he'd be a nice stretch 4

Terrence Ross-
He seems quite clutch, which is always something good to have

Danny Green-
Great role player, but not sure if he's leaving the Raptors

JJ Redick-
Great shooter to have, albeit a little old, but his game should age well

Harrison Barnes-
Might be an odd fit, but he's still quite a young player, it's not inconceivable that he can still improve

Ricky Rubio-
Not the greatest option there is at PG, but his play making skill is something that Pacers sorely lack, I think


Those are the bigger names that I'd be interested in. Now for a few less popular names

Elfrid Payton-
I've been intrigued by him since he was still with the Magic, and he seemed to have figure things out a little after getting traded to Pelicans. I think he's a good candidate for a player who is ready to take the next step

Tomas Satoransky-
Another very intriguing tweener with the size of a forward but play making skills of a PG, another candidate for someone who is ready to prove himself

Dewayne Dedmon-
He probably won't come cheap, but I like his blue collar style of play, and he can shoot a little as well

Patrick Beverly-
As a replacement for CoJo, better defense, and less likely to stall the team's offense

Javale McGee-
Yup, Javale McGee. He's actually been pretty decent, and for someone who could be had for a minimum contract or something, he's worth it if we need depth

Scoot McGroot wrote:

ahartleyvu wrote:Hoping we go for D’angelo Russell, from Louisville and played at Ohio State

It's not up to us, though. I think we'd have to see Kyrie go to Brooklyn first, and then stomach a lot of posturing from Brooklyn about matching DAR, since he's restricted, before cutting him loose.

If we go after DAR, there are no backup options. We have to see what Brooklyn does first, and our cap will be tied up from essentially July 1 until July 8, the end of the moratorium on the 6th, and two days of restricted matching period after that. If Brooklyn matches, then most everyone will be gone.

For him to be available to sign, they would have renounced him to sign Irving/KD so he wouldn’t be restricted.

ahartleyvu wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:

ahartleyvu wrote:Hoping we go for D’angelo Russell, from Louisville and played at Ohio State

It's not up to us, though. I think we'd have to see Kyrie go to Brooklyn first, and then stomach a lot of posturing from Brooklyn about matching DAR, since he's restricted, before cutting him loose.

If we go after DAR, there are no backup options. We have to see what Brooklyn does first, and our cap will be tied up from essentially July 1 until July 8, the end of the moratorium on the 6th, and two days of restricted matching period after that. If Brooklyn matches, then most everyone will be gone.

For him to be available to sign, they would have renounced him to sign Irving/KD so he wouldn’t be restricted.

He's available to sign an offer sheet before then as a restricted free agent. Or are you saying only go after him if his QO is pulled and he's an unrestricted free agent? Then, I agree.

Ross is an interesting name if his contract demands are less than starters money. Satoransky could also fit.

I'm very inerested in draft picks. OKC wants out. Boston and Brooklyn have extras. some say this is a bad draft, but I think it is a flat draft with lots of similarly talented players from the bottom of the lottery to late in the round.

Scoot McGroot wrote:

ahartleyvu wrote:

Scoot McGroot wrote:
It's not up to us, though. I think we'd have to see Kyrie go to Brooklyn first, and then stomach a lot of posturing from Brooklyn about matching DAR, since he's restricted, before cutting him loose.

If we go after DAR, there are no backup options. We have to see what Brooklyn does first, and our cap will be tied up from essentially July 1 until July 8, the end of the moratorium on the 6th, and two days of restricted matching period after that. If Brooklyn matches, then most everyone will be gone.

For him to be available to sign, they would have renounced him to sign Irving/KD so he wouldn’t be restricted.

He's available to sign an offer sheet before then as a restricted free agent. Or are you saying only go after him if his QO is pulled and he's an unrestricted free agent? Then, I agree.

If the Nets sign Kyrie I think a sign and trade Russell for Sabonis could come into play. Both teams have would have fit issues Turner/Sabonis and Kyrie/Russell. Sure the Nets could be hot on the 2nd free agent that would necessitate renouncing Russell. Getting him for free would be great. But if its just Kyrie involved I could see the potential for a sign and trade.