Instant Reaction: What do the Pacers do this offseason?

[BlazersBroncos]

Surely Avdija doesn’t cost Walker + Mathurin. That should net Indy the start to a true star player, no? I don’t know that Indy would deal either of Walker or Mathurin for Avdija, though. They wouldn’t deal either for Siakam last year. I know Avdija is super affordable the next 4, but Mathurin is still on a rookie contract for 2 years, and Walker for 3, so both are super cheap, and still pretty raw in terms of promise to grow into.

Got me thinking though. Would a Mathurin for Avdija/26 make sense for both teams? Washington gets the shot that Mathurin could be a star scorer with two more years m his rookie deal. Indy would get a more natural SF fit as a defender with Haliburton/Siakam as lead offensive guys?

I don't think Indiana is good enough to give up on Maturian's upsides for Avdija. Maybe you consider moving Walker in this kind of a deal.

I think you give up Mathurian well earlier than you do Walker. Nembhard has proven his fit alongside Hali.

But I dont see WAS moving Deni.

[Frichuela]

Not a chance the Wizards choose to trade Avdija for Mathurin or Walker.

Now, Kuzma would be an option…a vet front court of Kuz/Siakam/Turner would be surely competitive in the playoffs.

[BlazersBroncos]

Not a chance the Wizards choose to trade Avdija for Mathurin or Walker.

Now, Kuzma would be an option…a vet front court of Kuz/Siakam/Turner would be surely competitive in the playoffs.

I would say there is also no chance Indiana choses to trade Mathurian or Walker for Kuzma.

Maybe a S&T of Toppin and a future lotto protected FRP for Kuzma.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I think Pacers will rely on organic development to improve roster for next season. The value of getting to ECF is it gives young guys valuable playoff experience. Re-sign Siakam and roll it back.

I remember an eastern conference team that made the conference finals and decided to "roll it back". *Cough Cough.... Hawks*

Didn't work to well for them..

You're not wrong, but I think the situations are a bit different.

None of the Hawks young core really developed at all from that season. They all just kind of stayed the same, got a smidge better, or worse. That isn't to say the Pacers young core will develop, who knows, but I think its very unlikely they all flop like the Hawks players did. For one, Mathurin has already shown the kind of impact he is capabale of making. Then you have Nembhard/Sheppard who actively raised their game in the postseason and had big moments. Walker took a red-shirt year essentially(not uncommon for Carlisle), but dude flashed a ton.

They've all got to figure some things out and bring it all together, but I think its very unlikely none of those players develop, like we saw with the Hawks group.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Not really much they can do. It's a tread mill team. They have to go all in to re sign siakim. The stars aligned for them and they got the best injury luck I've ever seen with the bucks losing giannas and the knicks losing an entire roster. Otherwise this team is a first or second round out for the next few years until Haliburton asks out

Treadmill teams don't typically have a ton of potential on the roster.

The Pacers have a lot of guys who could significantly raise the floor of the team with some growth.

Is your idea that Mathurin, Walker, Sheppard, and Nembhard are who they are and are unable to get better?

[Texas Chuck]

Not really much they can do. It's a tread mill team. They have to go all in to re sign siakim. The stars aligned for them and they got the best injury luck I've ever seen with the bucks losing giannas and the knicks losing an entire roster. Otherwise this team is a first or second round out for the next few years until Haliburton asks out

Treadmill teams don't typically have a ton of potential on the roster.

The Pacers have a lot of guys who could significantly raise the floor of the team with some growth.

Is your idea that Mathurin, Walker, Sheppard, and Nembhard are who they are and are unable to get better?

There is nothing treadmill about Indiana and that's mostly just a crutch word that the person using uses because they've heard it before.

They just added an all-NBA level player in Siakam. Nembhard took a major leap forward. And they advanced to the ECF and were competitive despite their best player never being at 100% and missing time.

Do they look like a championship favorite atm on paper? Nope. But neither does Dallas and they are still fighting. Neither did anyone think this of Minnesota until their comeback against the Nuggets.

Other teams are going to be paper favorites. But Indy is far from stuck.

[TGW]

I think Ingram would make sense there as a wing scorer.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

As for what the Pacers do this off-season?

I think its pretty clear they stand pat. They are essentially adding two lottery picks who have flashed potential to the team we saw in the playoffs. Assuming they are able to re-sign Siakam, they are actually getting an off-season to build chemistry with him and the rest of the team as well.

Doesn't mean they will stand pat forever, but this off-season? Absolutely. No need to rush anything. They can see how things are going by the trade deadline next season and then possibly make a move if needed.

The Pacers have 3 second round picks in the draft, would love to see them try to move up to get Ryan Dunn or DaRon Holmes. Then if they could add a cheap defender at the 3, I think it will be a good off-season, then again, re-assess how things are going at the trade deadline.

Regardless of what others feel, the Pacers have A LOT of belief in Mathurin and Walker. Mathurin could be inconsistent from game to game, but when he's on, the dude is a baller. He needs to bring it all together on a consistent basis, but he has the work ethic and mentality to do it.

Walker was always going to red shirt this year. He was a raw prospect with a ton of tools. He flashed pretty much everything you'd want to see as a rookie. Again, gotta bring it all together, but he's a ball of clay and has already shown he can do a little bit of everything.

Again, the Pacers refused to trade them for Siakam, hell, the Pacers wouldn't include Nembhard or Sheppard in the Siakam deal either. Part of that is Siakam being a FA, but the Pacers also have a lot of faith in these guys as well.

[Scoot McGroot]

Not a chance the Wizards choose to trade Avdija for Mathurin or Walker.

Now, Kuzma would be an option…a vet front court of Kuz/Siakam/Turner would be surely competitive in the playoffs.

Kuzma simply doesn't come close to grabbing Mathurin or Walker in trade.

And Indy doesn’t need another PF in Kuzma. Or empty offense. They need a guy that can solidly defend the 3. And coming off the bench in Indy, with a 15% trade kicker and his bonuses more likely to kick in, Kuzma is much more expensive and maybe even a bad contract in that role.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

Would DeAndre Hunter be of interest? I'm sure ATL would take Math and Walker for him...

I mean, I'm sure they would, but I can't see the Pacers trading either of them for Hunter, much less both.

[xxSnEaKyPxx]

I'll add this, if the Pacers are going to trade one of their young players, it should be Nembhard.

I love Nembhard, but realistically, he'll never be able to flourish at the 2 guard spot. He always thrives playing PG. Its fine for now, but when his contract is up, he's going to want to go to a team that will give him the reigns. Pacers would be wise to use Nembhard to bring in a player that can help us, vs lose him the way Dallas lost Brunson.

[oldncreaky]

I'll add this, if the Pacers are going to trade one of their young players, it should be Nembhard.

I love Nembhard, but realistically, he'll never be able to flourish at the 2 guard spot. He always thrives playing PG. Its fine for now, but when his contract is up, he's going to want to go to a team that will give him the reigns. Pacers would be wise to use Nembhard to bring in a player that can help us, vs lose him the way Dallas lost Brunson.

I agree. Nembhard to me looks like an elite 3rd guard in the making, good enough to anchor the bench, and spot start when there are injuries.

But I'd extend him this summer if at all possible. This summer could well be their last chance to extend him on a reasonable number. Worst case scenario is a slightly overpaid back-up; best case is a key piece locked up through the rest of the decade.

[penbeast0]

Not a chance the Wizards choose to trade Avdija for Mathurin or Walker.

Now, Kuzma would be an option…a vet front court of Kuz/Siakam/Turner would be surely competitive in the playoffs.

Kuzma simply doesn't come close to grabbing Mathurin or Walker in trade.

And Indy doesn’t need another PF in Kuzma. Or empty offense. They need a guy that can solidly defend the 3. And coming off the bench in Indy, with a 15% trade kicker and his bonuses more likely to kick in, Kuzma is much more expensive and maybe even a bad contract in that role.

I certainly understand not wanting to a former high draft choice for Kuzma but he's really a 3 playing 4 so he's be fine at the 3 next to a solid 4/3 like Siakam.

[Scoot McGroot]

Not a chance the Wizards choose to trade Avdija for Mathurin or Walker.

Now, Kuzma would be an option…a vet front court of Kuz/Siakam/Turner would be surely competitive in the playoffs.

Kuzma simply doesn't come close to grabbing Mathurin or Walker in trade.

And Indy doesn’t need another PF in Kuzma. Or empty offense. They need a guy that can solidly defend the 3. And coming off the bench in Indy, with a 15% trade kicker and his bonuses more likely to kick in, Kuzma is much more expensive and maybe even a bad contract in that role.

I certainly understand not wanting to a former high draft choice for Kuzma but he's really a 3 playing 4 so he's be fine at the 3 next to a solid 4/3 like Siakam.

He’s a guy that’s always produced poorly when he has to match up against guys quicker and about the same size. When he can go up against bigger, slower guys, he produces somewhat offensively. But again, Indy doesn’t need an offensive SF that isn’t a defender of smaller wings. They need to improve the defense. Kuzma very much doesn’t do that. Siakam isn’t a 4/3 anymore. He’s solidly a 4. Maybe more of a 4/5. But we’re also not benching or trading Urner to accommodate a Kuzma. So i think it’s clear that, while he’s a very useful player for Washington and their current situation, Kuzma is simply not a useful option for Indy at this time.