RealGM

So there have been some persistent rumors about The Pacers being interested in free agent guard Ricky Rubio. I personally wasn't that thrilled with the idea when I first heard it, to be honest, but I've been thinking more and more about it. I'm really starting to come around to the idea. One of my biggest complaints about the team is the simplistic offense we have, especially compared to how much effort seems to go into the defensive system. If the team isn't going to really progress in that way, then the only other real alternative is to rely on individual playmaking ability, and there aren't many better options out there than Rubio. Additionally, I have repeatedly pointed out that Myles Turner isn't really the type of player that creates his own shots from nothing. A player that's going to feed him the ball more often could potentially be very beneficial to his offensive output.

That said, the Spanish floor general doesn’t create for himself to the degree that he creates for others, a skill which was sorely needed in the playoffs when the Pacers labored through prolonged scoring droughts and struggled to generate high-quality shots with Boston crowding the lane and/or trading defensive responsibilities.

C. Cooper
https://www.indycornrows.com/2019/6/18/18684108/a-rubio-oladipo-backcourt-for-the-pacers

So while it may not be the flashiest signing, it definitely would suit the team's needs. I assume it would be much less costly than Kemba Walker. And money will be needed to fill out other areas of the roster. Defensively, a back court of Oladipo and Rubio would be very interesting.

I've been suggesting this since the season ended. Guessing he will be more reasonably priced than a Kemba Walker and I see him as an upgrade from where we've been. I do think bringing Bojan back is pretty important, if we are thinking about Rubio.

Not my first choice but with him, success really depends on how we address the other open slots in our roster.

If we are to the Rubio route, I will be expecting the Pacers to add athletic / runners who can keep pace with him in transition (until Oladipo comes back and is in full health). Right now we only have Sumner and McDermott and they would be decent reserves that fit Rubio's game, unless Bogey comes back. I am having a hard time trying to picture how Warren would play with Rubio considering he really isn't that fluid. At the very least, he could turn out to be a key spot-up shooter for this team. Our bigs should benefit a lot from having Rubio as we are one of the better pick and roll teams in the league. Our bigs' ability to shoot threes also fits Rubio's game and it would likely flourish with him at the point.

I see Holiday as somewhat like the Tyus Jones when Rubio was in Minnesota. Given Rubio's average offensive game, Holiday could give us scoring whenever needed. Rubio's offense sure has improved, but his shooting is still quite poor so surrounding him with players with a knack for scoring is key, IMO. Being a defensive team already, Rubio's addition would be solid on that end of the court. Our defense will produce countless transition opportunities in which Rubio could thrive.

Kemba, for example, checks some different boxes as compared to Rubio and would require a different team set-up. I just see the Rubio way more complex than having a scoring point guard. I know the possibility of landing a top point guard is slim, and so we may be looking at a really busy offseason assuming we are really in it for Rubio.

Moooose wrote:I see Holiday as somewhat like the Tyus Jones when Rubio was in Minnesota.

don't remember that combination as I rarely watch games other than ours. can Rubio and Holiday play some together or does the answer depend upon whether the opponent plays two smaller guards as for example Portland?

Wizop wrote:

Moooose wrote:I see Holiday as somewhat like the Tyus Jones when Rubio was in Minnesota.

don't remember that combination as I rarely watch games other than ours. can Rubio and Holiday play some together or does the answer depend upon whether the opponent plays two smaller guards as for example Portland?

It was when Thibs realized he needed a scoring guard more than Rubio. He puts in Jones and he delivers scoring at the position since Rubio's offense was awful. Holiday is really a combo guard and can play 2, so I think they can co-exist playing together at times.

I can't remember another time when the Pacers have been so clearly linked to a free agent even before FA has started. Makes me wonder if there is a verbal deal in place already.

I love what Rubio brings, but there will be times when he's just unplayable unless he becomes more of an offensive threat. Will be very interesting how the coaches plan to scheme this.

winter_mute_13 wrote:I can't remember another time when the Pacers have been so clearly linked to a free agent even before FA has started. Makes me wonder if there is a verbal deal in place already.

OR it may be one of the biggest smoke screens we've seen. Walsh used to do that sort of thing a number of times. The thing is, does anyone know where the rumor actually started? Has anyone even vaguely reliable said anything? Or did it just start on a fan forum and spring to life from there? Who really knows?

I've always like Rubio and I could see him having a late career renaissance where his 3PT % rises enough to keep defenders honest. I think his defense and table-setting are both real positives. You need to surround him with shooters. I don't think Vic is as great off the ball, but if you staggered minutes so Rubio was running with the bench mob (whoever that may be...but probably McDermott) then I think he'd create good shots for everybody.

There will be a lot of money out there this offseason. I'd love the Pacers to sign DLo but outside of that I don't think the various available max guys really fit our timeline. If they get Rubio on a budget deal then I think that's a positive signing and they can hopefully make a few more moves like that for some undervalued wings.

Absolutely love the defensive potential of the Oladipo/Rubio backcourt.

Rubio isn’t a fit everywhere but a team with jump shooting bigs and forwards is exactly what he needs to succeed. It would be a bad fit if we retained Thad but I’m thinking Thad is gone.

Tom White wrote:

winter_mute_13 wrote:I can't remember another time when the Pacers have been so clearly linked to a free agent even before FA has started. Makes me wonder if there is a verbal deal in place already.

OR it may be one of the biggest smoke screens we've seen. Walsh used to do that sort of thing a number of times. The thing is, does anyone know where the rumor actually started? Has anyone even vaguely reliable said anything? Or did it just start on a fan forum and spring to life from there? Who really knows?

Woj, Bobby Marks, Zach Lowe, and Marc Stein have all repeated it often. They’re about as reliable as it gets.

Could definitely be a smokescreen though. Either from us or Ricky’s agent. Last year a TON of reports had us offering Aaron gordon a max deal, and it was apparently a bit of a smoke screen to get Thad to opt in to his last year.

IMF wrote:Absolutely love the defensive potential of the Oladipo/Rubio backcourt.

Rubio isn’t a fit everywhere but a team with jump shooting bigs and forwards is exactly what he needs to succeed. It would be a bad fit if we retained Thad but I’m thinking Thad is gone.

Absolutely agree on defensive potential. The spacing though is abysmal, and I think we would see Vic doubled a lot and kept out of the lane. Especially with Dom in the lineup. Triply so if Warren falls back to an average 3 pt range of around 35-37% from beyond the arc. Horrifically so if he regresses back to his career average.

Tom White wrote:

winter_mute_13 wrote:I can't remember another time when the Pacers have been so clearly linked to a free agent even before FA has started. Makes me wonder if there is a verbal deal in place already.

OR it may be one of the biggest smoke screens we've seen. Walsh used to do that sort of thing a number of times. The thing is, does anyone know where the rumor actually started? Has anyone even vaguely reliable said anything? Or did it just start on a fan forum and spring to life from there? Who really knows?

Bird is known for blowing smoke remember how much everyone thought he wanted Willie Cauley-Stein?

Scoot McGroot wrote:

IMF wrote:Absolutely love the defensive potential of the Oladipo/Rubio backcourt.

Rubio isn’t a fit everywhere but a team with jump shooting bigs and forwards is exactly what he needs to succeed. It would be a bad fit if we retained Thad but I’m thinking Thad is gone.

Absolutely agree on defensive potential. The spacing though is abysmal, and I think we would see Vic doubled a lot and kept out of the lane. Especially with Dom in the lineup. Triply so if Warren falls back to an average 3 pt range of around 35-37% from beyond the arc. Horrifically so if he regresses back to his career average.

I would expect to see some creative lineup staggering to mitigate this. Let’s say you sign Bogie and Rubio.

Probably a starting lineup of Rubio/Vic/Bogie/Domas/Turner to start each half, but I think over the course of games this will stagger out to smaller lineups. Finish games based on matchups.

A lineup with Rubio/Vic/Bogie/Warren/Turner is something I’d like to see, two sharp shooting forwards with a shotblocking unicorn in the middle, this lineup would have great spacing and put Rubio in position to use his creativity with tons of options.

Also Holiday/Vic/Bogie/Warren/Sabonis as an alternate look where Vic handles the ball and Holiday plays as the off ball guard. Weaker defensively but I think Victor could feast with a lineup like this.

I’m also curious to see if the big lineup could be utilized to punish small teams and reverse the trend a bit. Rubio’s ability as a creator could really help here if he could create some looks for the bigs to help them take advantage of favorable matchups.

I’m not 100% sure it’s the perfect fit but it’s interesting at least, and I do believe Rubio/Holiday is a clear upgrade over Collison/Joseph.

IMF wrote:Also Holiday/Vic/Bogie/Warren/Sabonis as an alternate look where Vic handles the ball and Holiday plays as the off ball guard. Weaker defensively but I think Victor could feast with a lineup like this.

don't overlook Holiday/Sumner/Doug/Warren/Goga. I see this as a likely 2nd unit. also possible is Holiday/Doug/Warren/Leaf/Goga. and if Holiday joins the first unit then Sumner/Doug/Warren/Leaf/Goga.

I've long been a proponent of Rubio on the Pacers, so I'll be quite happy if the team does sign him

Obviously I'd prefer D'Angelo Russell, but Rubio would do just as nicely if we can't sign Russell

Besides, as have been pointed out several times before, Rubio is an above average defender, so with him and Vic on the perimeter, the team should be able to generate plenty of fast break points, which is important

Also, we know that one of the biggest problems the team has is the lack of an offensive scheme; it doesn't look like a change in coaching staff is in the pipeline, so getting a seasoned PG who can direct the offense and find his teammates easy shots is probably the next best thing

And it's not like Rubio's shooting is Ben Simmons bad; Rubio's career 3pt% is 32.2%, which is actually what CoJo's 3pt% was this past season - so if you're telling me that the worse thing about signing Rubio is that he shoots 3pts like CoJo does, I can live with that

I didn't really put too much stock into Rubio to the Pacers because i think i've just been blinded by the Russell to the Pacers rumors/speculation/dream whatever you want to call it. But, the guys at 8points, 9 seconds do such a great job on that i trust them a lot and reading their take on Rubio has me sold. I still want Russell, but Rubio is my plan B. Heres the piece they wrote btw- https://8points9seconds.com/2019/06/24/free-agency-pacers-market/2/

Grang33r wrote:I didn't really put too much stock into Rubio to the Pacers because i think i've just been blinded by the Russell to the Pacers rumors/speculation/dream whatever you want to call it. But, the guys at 8points, 9 seconds do such a great job on that i trust them a lot and reading their take on Rubio has me sold. I still want Russell, but Rubio is my plan B. Heres the piece they wrote btw- https://8points9seconds.com/2019/06/24/free-agency-pacers-market/2/

I gotta say I skip a lot of their posts now as they’ve gone more and more to the click through style of posting. Even if there’s good info, I’m not clicking through 10 pages of ads on my phone to see the few points.

This is my old man post to encourage these guys to go away from that. I’ll scroll infinitely by clicking through pages? Instant skip.

Scoot McGroot wrote:This is my old man post to encourage these guys to go away from that. I’ll scroll infinitely by clicking through pages? Instant skip.

you haven't come close to reaching the get off my lawn stage. anyway, 8.9 isn't too bad on a computer rather than a phone. what I've learned to skip is any trade on the trade forum here that uses "blockbuster" in the title.

If Rubio is the Pacers big free agent signing, I'll be very disappointed. I'd rather see a trade into capspace for a better player than this.

MUpacersSIC wrote:If Rubio is the Pacers big free agent signing, I'll be very disappointed. I'd rather see a trade into capspace for a better player than this.

So, who do you think we could realistically obtain with that suggested trade? It would have to be a team willing to trade away a player who is better than Rubio and wants nothing but cap relief/picks in return. Plus, that player would have to fit our needs. So, who've you got?