2024 Off-Season

[Wizop]

the big decision is whether or not to bring in a 3 to play ahead of Nesmith. at this point, I say no for three reasons: 1) Walker looks to be more of a 3 than the 4 we thought he'd be and could be ready for second unit minutes; 2) Mathurin's return gives us four wings with Nembhard, Nesmith, Mathurin, and Sheppard and I want to keep them all; and 3) Pascal can play more 3 with Obi at the 4.

[JMaster5K]

the big decision is whether or not to bring in a 3 to play ahead of Nesmith. at this point, I say no for three reasons: 1) Walker looks to be more of a 3 than the 4 we thought he'd be and could be ready for second unit minutes; 2) Mathurin's return gives us four wings with Nembhard, Nesmith, Mathurin, and Sheppard and I want to keep them all; and 3) Pascal can play more 3 with Obi at the 4.

Agree. Walker (8'8.5" standing reach), Mathurin (8'8" standing reach), Nesmith (8'8.5" standing reach) (for reference Jaylen Brown = 8'8.5" standing reach), are all sized to play the 3. When Benn gets back, if he is going to be seeing good minutes with Ty, or starting, his best fit is at the 3. I could be surprised, but I think Walker is going to need another season of learning & growing his playing time, but he has all the tools to be special, eventually. So, We need either Math or Nesmith to come in ready to play both ends at the 3. Gotta believe that both will be better next year. If Benn can come back and establish himself as 'the guy' at the 3, with Nesmith playing his same tough, excellent defense & efficiently shooting the ball? We actually look pretty solid?

[Wizop]

I could be surprised, but I think Walker is going to need another season of learning & growing his playing time, but he has all the tools to be special, eventually.

but is that another season of playing in the G-League or can we give him 12 minutes a game? I'd give him 12 minutes in meaningful parts of games unless he plays his way back to the bench even if that costs us some wins. I think we'll see the beginning of the plan in summer league where we'll learn if he's playing 3 or 4.

[JMaster5K]

I could be surprised, but I think Walker is going to need another season of learning & growing his playing time, but he has all the tools to be special, eventually.

but is that another season of playing in the G-League or can we give him 12 minutes a game? I'd give him 12 minutes in meaningful parts of games unless he plays his way back to the bench even if that costs us some wins. I think we'll see the beginning of the plan in summer league where we'll learn if he's playing 3 or 4.

I think it's a bit of both? We would see him with the Pacers for most of the season, playing some minutes based on matchups & how far ahead/behind we are? I would guess more like an average of 6-10 minutes a game?... Some he would be in for only a few minutes,... some he would be in up to 20 minutes & play a key role. Probably 2-3 stints in the G-league for playing time, but no substantial blocks of time (weeks at a time) in the G-league. Probably drawing back end of the rotation minutes consistently by the end of the season? Playing most games for at least a small stretch by the end of the season?

He is only turning 21 this coming season. (He is actually 4 months younger than Kendall Brown.) He also had/has a lot more to learn than most incoming rookies. The system in Houston isn't very 'nba development' friendly. But,... the talent is there. For me, it's just a question of how long before his skills & potential all come together into a complete game that earns him minutes?... We have an incredible coaching staff, very good at helping players learn & develop. It wouldn't surprise me, if he was drawing consistent rotation minutes by Christmas. I just don't want to get my hopes up. LOL

[Scoot McGroot]

I would consider Walker as essentially untouchable as y'all think Nembhard is.

[Wizop]

Here's the begining of a wish list - Tyrese gets stronger - Benn becomes a better passer - Jarace learns the defense and stops gambling - Obi and Pascal resign.

[Tom White]

Obi and Pascal resign.

I'm thinking you mean re-sign, as opposed to resign?

Yeah, I'm a pain about that sort of thing.

[Wizop]

Obi and Pascal resign.

I'm thinking you mean re-sign, as opposed to resign?

Yeah, I'm a pain about that sort of thing.

I've always spelled them the same but Google seems to have it your way. I remember some years ago when Mike Golic was still a part of the Mike and Mike show, he incorrectly reported a news item regarding a government official who had resigned by saying he'd re-signed.

[Pacers Forever]

Read on Twitter

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[Wizop]

Watch on YouTube

[JMaster5K]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/275877/Pacers-Preparing-Max-Contract-Offer-To-Pascal-Siakam

[GreatBuchinsky]

Am I wrong to think a Siakam max this summer isn’t a big deal with the expected tv hikes to the cap starting in 2025. I’d almost think getting any other potential extensions in this summer would be beneficial as well.

[boomershadow]

I think there's a 90 percent probability we get Siakam back. So I don't really see the big move to be made or the room in the rotation. We have a decent rotation with guys already on the roster.

Hali/TJ
Nembhard/Shep
Nesmith/Mathurin
Siakam/Walker
Turner/Jackson

Bring back Smith and/or Toppin and that rotation is already overflowing right? Even letting go of them both, who above do you take minutes from? Backup 4/5 is the only place I can see needing another body. Probably replace Doug or bring him back for the min?

The big additions I see though are Walker and Mathurin.

[Wizop]

I think there's a 90 percent probability we get Siakam back. So I don't really see the big move to be made or the room in the rotation. We have a decent rotation with guys already on the roster.

Hali/TJ
Nembhard/Shep
Nesmith/Mathurin
Siakam/Walker
Turner/Jackson

Bring back Smith and/or Toppin and that rotation is already overflowing right? Even letting go of them both, who above do you take minutes from? Backup 4/5 is the only place I can even imagine.

I hope Obi returns. I think he's better than Walker now. Obi can play some 5 as well as 4. Walker can play some 3.

[boomershadow]

We better hope Walker is ready to play at least second unit minutes next year right? Lottery pick on the second year of his rookie deal? If not then.....oh boy, we have seen this show before havent we?

[Wizop]

We better hope Walker is ready to play at least second unit minutes next year right? Lottery pick on the second year of his rookie deal? If not then.....oh boy, we have seen this show before havent we?

Wouldn't Boston have felt the same about Nesmith? Didn't we worry about Smits? Suns about Stix? RELAX.

[Scoot McGroot]

Am I wrong to think a Siakam max this summer isn’t a big deal with the expected tv hikes to the cap starting in 2025. I’d almost think getting any other potential extensions in this summer would be beneficial as well.

Not wrong at all, IMO. It's just the cost of doing business, and locking in long-term deals right now at 8% raises with the cap instead going up 10% every year is a solid long-term investment strategy. Maybe Siakam ages terribly, but he's earned the max on the market.

[Wizop]

Am I wrong to think a Siakam max this summer isn’t a big deal with the expected tv hikes to the cap starting in 2025. I’d almost think getting any other potential extensions in this summer would be beneficial as well.

Not wrong at all, IMO. It's just the cost of doing business, and locking in long-term deals right now at 8% raises with the cap instead going up 10% every year is a solid long-term investment strategy. Maybe Siakam ages terribly, but he's earned the max on the market.

Is it fair to say two max players are possible but three puts you into taxland?

[Scoot McGroot]

Am I wrong to think a Siakam max this summer isn’t a big deal with the expected tv hikes to the cap starting in 2025. I’d almost think getting any other potential extensions in this summer would be beneficial as well.

Not wrong at all, IMO. It's just the cost of doing business, and locking in long-term deals right now at 8% raises with the cap instead going up 10% every year is a solid long-term investment strategy. Maybe Siakam ages terribly, but he's earned the max on the market.

Is it fair to say two max players are possible but three puts you into taxland?

Pretty close to fair. Depends on "which" level of max we're talking about. 3 25% max salary guys? Not necessarily. 3 30% or 35% max guys? Probably guaranteed. Etc.

[8305]

I’ve got questions about Mathurin’s fit on Pacers post Siakum trade.
I don’t see him playing ahead of either Nembhard or Nesmith. As a defender he’s way below those two.
Also have a tough time seeing him on the floor with Pascal and Tyrese. You’re not going to give the ball to Benn at the expense of Pascal/Tyrese touches. Sure there’s an off the bench role for him but what this team could really use off the bench is a defensive stopper.
I wonder if anyone sees a prospect in this draft they would take for Benn?
Stephan Castle, Ben Holland?
Do Pacers still a bigger upside to Benn than Nembhard?