Offseason Grades - Indiana Pacers

[bondom34]

Depending, might run another of these later but missed yesterday. Up next in the Central, with a thanks to Scoot McGroot, the Indiana Pacers.

Scoot McGroot's Pacers Offseason Review and Jamboree
Indiana Pacers transactions

Front office
Replaced Nate Bjorkgren as coach with Rick Carlisle.

Draft
Drafted Chris Duarte at #13.
Drafted Isaiah Jackson at #22 (acquired from LAL via WAS).

Trades
Traded #54, #60, and 2 future 2nds for #31
Traded Aaron Holiday, #31 and cash for pick #22 in 5-team trade.
Traded Doug McDermott (S&T) for TPE, swap of protected future 2nds.

Free agency
Re-signed TJ McConnell, 4/$33M.
Signed Torrey Craig, 2/$10M
Signed DeJon Jarreau and Duane Washington, Jr to 2 way deals

Offseason Thoughts
Overall, a weird offseason. Another season of running it back, not making a decision on the 2 center lineup, while adding another young guy in the draft that initially looked to be a 5, just seems to be compounding the issue of not really having a direction other than "forward, somehow". Despite that, there's some hope, depending on if/when TJ Warren can possibly return from his slow rehab process, due to the massive improvement in coaching staff. The injury to Sumner was heart-breaking, as he was a bright spot of development for the Pacers, and looked to be a real utility player at the guard positions.

Obviously, the Carlisle hiring was a MASSIVE IMPROVEMENT. Massive improvement in leadership and defense. Offensively, Bjorkgren provided some hope, but there's still room for improvement there, as it was clear that Nate had only a few notes to play, and often played them on repeat. On top of this, Carlisle was able to quickly attract a full coaching staff (while Bjorkgren wasn't able to hire a single assistant on his own accord and required Pritchard to build the staff for him), that the Pacers expanded from 3 to 5, while adding extensively to the back bench and developmental staff.

The draft provided much needed youth, even if Duarte is over the hill for a rookie. His shooting, defense, and playmaking should make a major immediate impact that the Pacers will need with the continued recovery and unknown health of TJ Warren. Jackson is an intriguing prospect in terms of appearing to be a highly switchable defensive focused pogo stick at the 4/5 that can switch onto 2's and 3's. Though he's probably really years away from being a primary contributor, he's probably a necessary add. And getting him for Aaron Holiday and 4 2nds (2 late, and 2 future) was simply really good asset management to reset the rookie clock.

Keeping McConnell was necessary, if overpaid a tad. Adding a defensive focused combo forward in Torrey Craig was necessary, if also overpaid a bit (and given an extra year) too. The two ways are rookies with some intriguing skills, but neither is a home run, per se, that requires any additional words.

Ultimately, this is a team coasting down the road as it is likely headed for a big trade deadline, roster changing type move. Though, this is a team that won't make a direction changing move to lose games for draft assets.

Grade
B- ? There were improvements, but also stagnation. But ultimately, we've still committed to basically just running it back for the 3rd straight season, with major questions there, while continuing the questionable 2 center lineup another year without any clear answers as to how to maximize the pairing. There's not a bad move here, ultimately, though maybe Craig on his salary was?
2022 Prediction
A team likely still in the play-in range, though that may be more of a statement of the middle of the East getting stronger/healthier around the Pacers.

Offseason in gif form



K_Chile22's offseason grade:
Indiana Pacers transactions

Front office
Replaced Nate Bjorkgren as coach with Rick Carlisle.

Draft
Drafted Chris Duarte at #13.
Drafted Isaiah Jackson at #22 (acquired from LAL via WAS).

Trades
Traded Aaron Holiday and cash for pick #22 in 5-team trade.
Traded Doug McDermott (S&T) for TPE, swap of protected future 2nds.

Free agency
Re-signed TJ McConnell, 4/$33M.
Signed Torrey Craig, 2/$10M

Offseason Thoughts
A team that's this far away from contention taking the oldest player drafted in the lotto since who knows when doesn't sit right with me. Especially with Moody still on the board. Liked the move to get 22, and the Jackson pick was solid there.

TJ McConnell deal is a bit rich for me, I've never really been a fan of his but I suppose they didn't have many options to replace him so they did what they had to. Craig deal is fine.

I don't know if Bjorkgrenwas bad as an X&Os guy, but certainly was in terms of dealing with personalities. Carlisle is one of the best coaches in the league, period. Great move there.

Grade
C+, it was ok roster wise, get a bump for getting Carlisle

2022 Prediction
In the play in games. 8-10.
Offseason in gif form



Mamba4Goat's offseason grade:

Indiana Pacers transactions

Front office
Replaced Nate Bjorkgren as coach with Rick Carlisle.

Draft
Drafted Chris Duarte at #13.
Drafted Isaiah Jackson at #22 (acquired from LAL via WAS).

Trades
Traded Aaron Holiday and cash for pick #22 in 5-team trade.
Traded Doug McDermott (S&T) for TPE, swap of protected future 2nds.

Free agency
Re-signed TJ McConnell, 4/$33M.
Signed Torrey Craig, 2/$10M

Offseason Thoughts
Getting Rick Carlisle was a homerun and very on-brand. Chris Duarte was a bit of a reach but he is more NBA ready than most so that should help. Drafting another big was a bit of a headscratcher (although just giving up Holiday for that pick was a steal).
Bringing back McConnell was a no-brainer and while losing McDermott hurts, Torrey Craig is a decent replacement on a cheap-ish deal.
The clock may be ticking on a Turner move at this point though.

Grade
B+. Aside from getting Rick it wasn't really a significant offseason for them.
2022 Prediction
Let's say...7-10 seed.
Offseason in gif form


bondom34's offseason grade:

Indiana Pacers transactions

Front office
Replaced Nate Bjorkgren as coach with Rick Carlisle.

Draft
Drafted Chris Duarte at #13.
Drafted Isaiah Jackson at #22 (acquired from LAL via WAS).

Trades
Traded Aaron Holiday and cash for pick #22 in 5-team trade.
Traded Doug McDermott (S&T) for TPE, swap of protected future 2nds.

Free agency
Re-signed TJ McConnell, 4/$33M.
Signed Torrey Craig, 2/$10M

Offseason Thoughts
A traditionally quiet team was overall generally quiet here but had some solid moves. First off they got the best coaching "free agent" available, even if a retread Carlisle is proven and I was surprised he took this job but it's a great get for the Pacers (not a shot at them btw, just all reports seemed like Portland was a landing spot or some other openings and this came seemingly out of nowhere if I recall).

The draft was a little of both worlds, Duarte some people thought pretty highly of, was surprised he went this high but if that's what they wanted fine, and they got more of an upside swing in Jackson at 22 (which was acquired in a pretty solid looking trade). Basically swapping out Holiday for a bigger guard with more rookie scale control and adding in Jackson. Free agency wise everything was mostly quiet, no issues with either the McConnell or Craig contracts.

Part of me would like a bigger upside swing, but it's not their MO and I have no big issues with anything they did.

Grade
B, this was one where I didn't know how I'd feel going in but liked it overall, looking back at the transactions and coaching hire and everything seems mostly positive, debated B+ as well

2022 Prediction
East play in, guessing 8-10

Offseason in gif form

[Boneman2]

This team was built the previous offseason with the acquisitions of Brogdon and LeVert to the starting lineup with Turner, Sabonis and Warren. It didn’t help that injuries derailed what could have been time spent building chemistry. With the addition of Rick Carlisle and a healthy roster I could see upward mobility out of this cast. Possibly as high as 5th in the East.

[Wizop]

I'm a little more optimistic but a lot depends upon how long Warren's rehab takes. Here is an interview with Carlisle.

Read on Twitter

[basketballwacko2]

This team was built the previous offseason with the acquisitions of Brogdon and LeVert to the starting lineup with Turner, Sabonis and Warren. It didn’t help that injuries derailed what could have been time spent building chemistry. With the addition of Rick Carlisle and a healthy roster I could see upward mobility out of this cast. Possibly as high as 5th in the East.

If the Pacers can get healthy and stay healthy especially TJ Warren they're going to surprise some people. Duarte and Jackson great picks, I called for both of them about 2 months before the draft, nailed it! Duarte will help now and Jackson will grow and develop for a year or 2 down the road. If Turner or Sabonis is to be traded at some point Jackson will be the replacement if it's Turner going out. But finally they have a better mix of PF/C on the roster with Sabonis, Turner, Goga, Jackson and Brissett.

[evilution]

I have to give it a C.
While it is nice to see that the holes on the bench were fixed, and Carlisle is a huge improvement, this roster can compete for top4 in the East with a huge IF - IF the roster stays healthy enough. Unfortunately, the team is full of injury prone players. We may be looking as a top4 team for a while and then fall off once the injuries start piling up - and injuries already started/continuing from the last season. I would have loved to see some moves for similar level, but healthier players. With the roster as is, I'm afraid to get my hopes up again and then end up seeing us competing in the play-in with barely 2 or 3 starters available.

[Texas Chuck]

More than any other team this off-season, this feels like a referendum on what is a head coach worth? They punted on the wrong hire quickly and an unexpected candidate hit the coaching market and they got him. If Carlisle is who I think he is, then the Pacers will outperform their talent and kind of mismatched roster.

[Ballerhogger]

B for now they have their coach they wanted see if they can make late round noise. It’s run back on talent pretty much

[HornetJail]

I want to give Indy a B or B+ since Bjork to Carlisle is such a massive upgrade... but Indiana simply did nothing else of note... which I consider a loss for any middle of the pack team. C+

for the record I have edited this post multiple times switching back and forth between B- and C+. I'll give them a 79.5 and you can decide whether to round up.

[basketballwacko2]

I want to give Indy a B or B+ since Bjork to Carlisle is such a massive upgrade... but Indiana simply did nothing else of note... which I consider a loss for any middle of the pack team. C+

for the record I have edited this post multiple times switching back and forth between B- and C+. I'll give them a 79.5 and you can decide whether to round up.

Sometimes the best trade is the one you don't make.

[babyjax13]

I really feel for the Pacers and their fans. With Warren and LeVert getting healthy, and the addition of Rick, this year was going to be really exciting. They had an above-average starter at every position, and a deep bench. I think they'll still be good, but with Warren healthy they have a chance to surprise people, maybe going as far as the Eastern Conference Finals.

The Holiday trade feels like an absolute fleecing for the Pacers, but the Craig signing seems a little much. I'll go B for now.

[Scoot McGroot]

I want to give Indy a B or B+ since Bjork to Carlisle is such a massive upgrade... but Indiana simply did nothing else of note... which I consider a loss for any middle of the pack team. C+

for the record I have edited this post multiple times switching back and forth between B- and C+. I'll give them a 79.5 and you can decide whether to round up.

I did the same thing while writing it

[gom]

Solid B, maybe more. The Pacers manage their finances well every season, and for a small-market team, they are usually competitive. I like the coaching change and I thought Nate Bjorkgren was a good coach. I also like their draft picks and feel they will prosper in Indiana's excellent program. I also liked how they managed to get a pick for Aaron Holiday. All good moves imho.

This season I look for the Pacers not to be a team that will challenge but rather a team to ruin another team's joy, and that's fun too.

[Topofthekey]

The Pacers is an interesting team to watch right now, because they are basically one good break away from being a top 4 team in their conference

I'll list a few of these possible breaks, and assign them each an arbitrary % chance of them happening (imo)


a) TJ Warrens returns earlier than expected and plays like Bubble Warren the entire season - 5%

The possibility of this happening is rated so low because it requires not one but two unlikely things to happen - Warren returning earlier than expected, and him proving that bubble Warren wasn't a fluke

But if it happens though? Pacers instantly shoots up the standings


b) Chris Duarte ROY and future star - 5%

I mean, in a hypothetical universe where Chris Duarte exceeds everyone's expectations and plays his way into the starting lineup (possible) and establishes himself as a future star (unlikely) while winning the ROY (extremely unlikely), it's not difficult to imagine the team not only making the playoffs but earning HCA in the first round

This is because, in this hypothetical universe where Duarte has played his way into the starting lineup, he would have done so with solid perimeter defense and aggressive scoring, both things which Pacers lack right now. A star-level Duarte could be just the kind of player the Pacers need


c) No one misses any significant amount of games the rest of the season - 10%

I mean, they are a pretty good team if everyone's more or less healthy, even if nothing else changes

But with the type of injury luck that they've had in recent years, it's almost a given that SOMEONE is going to miss a chunk of games at some point in the season


d) Pacers flip one or two of their good players for one great player - 15%

The Pacers have a bunch of really good players, but they don't have the type of elite talent that the best teams usually have

The good news is, this means they are basically a team that's only one star away from postseason relevancy

The bad news is, of course, stars aren't easy to come by


e) The swap some pieces around and assemble the perfect pieces for team before the trade deadline - 35%

I actually think there's a fair chance of something like this happening

Whether it is finding a better fit for Turner or Sabonis, or a better backcourt pairing than LeVert-Brogdon, there are a lot of possible directions that the team can go, in terms of trying to mould a better fitting team

They have several players with good trade value, they don't have any bad contracts, and they own all of their picks, so they have a lot of flexibility and trading chips if they want to look for better fitting pieces

The only reason why I didn't rate the probability higher is because I don't see any obvious trades for them out there


f) Sabonis All-NBA/Brogdon All-Star/Turner All-Defense/LeVert ups his scoring game - 40%

Again I think there's a fair chance of one of those things happening. A few of them actually came close to happening last season. Turner was #3 among Centers in All Defense voting, and Sabonis was #6 among Centers in All NBA voting

Any one of those things happening would bring the team a big step forward towards being a top 6 team in the East


Would be interesting to see at least one or two of the items on this entire list happening for the Pacers

[jayjaysee]

I would go B/B+.

Homer in me gets Indy to a B without any trades/draft just because of Rick hiring.

I liked their draft and the holiday trade especially getting Jackson. Like picking TJ over Dougie and liked not overpaying Dougie, if it was an option.

I feel like for an A you have to improve your starting line up or pick a new direction and nail it or something major like that? Brooklyn running it back or Detroit drafting Cade doesn’t earn points for me. Same as Indy having a strong starting line.

Don’t fault them for Warren getting hurt, and would give them an A if they pull off a Simmons or Ingram or other star trade without losing 2 of Sabonis/Turner/Brogdon.

So B+ for doing everything right if you’re gonna run back the same core.