Around the NBA: 2023-24 edition

[Tom White]

Would be so cool if the Pacers could afford him without losing too much.

Think back a couple years when half the roster was filled with players who were injured year after year. Is that really what you want to go back to?

[Pacers Forever]

Would be so cool if the Pacers could afford him without losing too much.

Think back a couple years when half the roster was filled with players who were injured year after year. Is that really what you want to go back to?

Absolutely not because we already have Mathurin who plays rough and has health concerns. I don’t know if Anunoby is a perennial injury risk, but I do know he’s a 3 point threat and more importantly a top defensive player that we need at the 3.

Where I want to go to is 5 stars in the starting lineup to contend against the top tier stacked teams like

Holiday
White
Porzingis
Brown
Tatum

We’ve just seen that our 3 stars plus 8 decent youthful players isn’t good enough to take us to the championship.

Mathurin, McConnell, Nesmith, Sheppard, Toppin, Jackson, and Walker are not defensive star starters.

While the depth strategy was fun and worked against 2/3rd of the league the Pacers have to add another big star caliber player to solidify a nightly ability to be the more dominant team imho.

[Wizop]

While the depth strategy was fun and worked against 2/3rd of the league the Pacers have to add another big star caliber player to solidify a nightly ability to be the more dominant team imho.

Stars are usually stars because of offense. We need a big defensive wing. I wouldn't call that necessarily a star.

[Pacers Forever]

While the depth strategy was fun and worked against 2/3rd of the league the Pacers have to add another big star caliber player to solidify a nightly ability to be the more dominant team imho.

Stars are usually stars because of offense. We need a big defensive wing. I wouldn't call that necessarily a star.

I think Anunoby and Bridges are more coveted for their defensive skills than offensive. I consider them stars. They both are also very good offensively no doubt.

Yes we need a big defensive wing. Nesmith hustles but is smaller and does a very good job playing bigger wings. We do need a taller upgrade that matches up better with the tall talented wings I agree.

[Wizop]

I think Anunoby and Bridges are more coveted for their defensive skills than offensive. I consider them stars. They both are also very good offensively no doubt.

Yes we need a big defensive wing. Nesmith hustles but is smaller and does a very good job playing bigger wings. We do need a taller upgrade that matches up better with the tall talented wings I agree.

Do all stars get max or near max contracts? I don't see us signing a third max worthy player.

[Pacers Forever]

I think Anunoby and Bridges are more coveted for their defensive skills than offensive. I consider them stars. They both are also very good offensively no doubt.

Yes we need a big defensive wing. Nesmith hustles but is smaller and does a very good job playing bigger wings. We do need a taller upgrade that matches up better with the tall talented wings I agree.

Do all stars get max or near max contracts? I don't see us signing a third max worthy player.

Not necessarily. I said we need a star caliber upgrade. Looking at the free agency list

Klay Thompson
Tobias Harris
Gordon Hayward
Kyle Lowry
Demar DeRozan
Russell Westbrook
I consider these players stars.

None of these players should warrant even a near max contract. Of course the Pacers don’t need any of these stars but for example’s sake they are stars in my opinion.


Siakam- all star
Haliburton- all star
Turner- star
Nembhard- future star
???- missing link

Unfortunately Anunoby is the only available free agent defensive stopper this year since I don’t consider Lebron leaving the Lakers.

If the Pacers pursue a defensive player from another team this summer then they will most likely have to give up some of the young depth which probably isn’t an option in the front office’s minds.

[Wizop]

Siakam- all star
Haliburton- all star
Turner- star
Nembhard- future star
???- missing link

I resist the label star and would be happy with some of the five being "quality starters." I'd put Turner in that category. for the last spot we have Nesmith, Mathurin, and Walker. I think Nesmith is already a quality starter. Mathurin and Walker have star potential but only Walker is a wing-sized wing assuming he is a 3/4 and not a 4/5. (I almost forgot Sheppard and KBrown is TBD)

consider Boston. is Derrick White a star or a high quality starter? no argument about the rest of their top 6 who are or were when younger all stars. how much better is White than Nesmith if both played the two?

[Pacers Forever]

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Wow OKC just got over on the Bulls

[Wizop]

While I like our guards, Caruso or Giddey would've been nice here.

[Pacers Forever]

While I like our guards, Caruso or Giddey would've been nice here.

I like our guard depth also and if we obtained Caruso for one of our guards it would be good only IF the Pacers could afford him next year. I don’t see how with a Turner decision coming. He’s getting paid and I’m happy most likely paying less for Nembhard and Mathurin when they get extensions.

[Scoot McGroot]

While I like our guards, Caruso or Giddey would've been nice here.

I would have found a way to make Caruso in the lineup work. I would not have had interest in adding Giddey to this lineup. With Haliburton, Nembhard, McConnell, Siakam, and hopefully Walker in the near future, kind of feel like our dominant ball handler roles are pretty well filled?

[Pacers Forever]

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[Pacers Forever]

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Good for him. Hope he gets a better pay day.

[Pacers Forever]

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League finally getting their wish of a loaded team in New York. They’ll probably find a way to get OG and Hartenstein to sign for less. I really hope OG and Hartenstein go elsewhere wanting more $$.

[JMaster5K]

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League finally getting their wish of a loaded team in New York. They’ll probably find a way to get OG and Hartenstein to sign for less. I really hope OG and Hartenstein go elsewhere wanting more $$.

I guessing that this would mean that OG is either accepting what he has already turned down, or going elsewhere? (A max in Philly?) If they are planning on OG leaving, I think they would concentrate on bringing I-Hart back. With Bridges in the lineup, he becomes even more important as a hub for the shooters. (a skill that Robinson hasn't consistently shown.)

[Wizop]

are we sure we're better than 8th?

[JMaster5K]

from hoopsrumors:

While it remains unclear whether the Hawks would prefer to trade Trae Young or Dejounte Murray this offseason, it’s worth noting that the Pelicans are “known to be longtime admirers” of Murray, Stein writes. New Orleans is believed to be open to a roster shake-up this summer, with forward Brandon Ingram viewed as a strong candidate to be dealt.

Maybe they deal both?.... o0

[Scoot McGroot]

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League finally getting their wish of a loaded team in New York. They’ll probably find a way to get OG and Hartenstein to sign for less. I really hope OG and Hartenstein go elsewhere wanting more $$.

I guessing that this would mean that OG is either accepting what he has already turned down, or going elsewhere? (A max in Philly?) If they are planning on OG leaving, I think they would concentrate on bringing I-Hart back. With Bridges in the lineup, he becomes even more important as a hub for the shooters. (a skill that Robinson hasn't consistently shown.)

Depending on how the deal officially goes through, NY will have a hard cap at either the 1st or 2nd apron, which makes it very difficult to keep both OG and Hartenstein.

[Wizop]

Depending on how the deal officially goes through, NY will have a hard cap at either the 1st or 2nd apron, which makes it very difficult to keep both OG and Hartenstein.

reporters tend to be saying Hartenstein is gone. personally though I'd think the need for OG just got significantly reduced.

[JMaster5K]

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League finally getting their wish of a loaded team in New York. They’ll probably find a way to get OG and Hartenstein to sign for less. I really hope OG and Hartenstein go elsewhere wanting more $$.

I guessing that this would mean that OG is either accepting what he has already turned down, or going elsewhere? (A max in Philly?) If they are planning on OG leaving, I think they would concentrate on bringing I-Hart back. With Bridges in the lineup, he becomes even more important as a hub for the shooters. (a skill that Robinson hasn't consistently shown.)

Depending on how the deal officially goes through, NY will have a hard cap at either the 1st or 2nd apron, which makes it very difficult to keep both OG and Hartenstein.

I did a quick, 'what if',... guessing OG's new contract as a max,... without I-Hart, or precious, just their 2 draft picks, and an open 14th roster spot. If, as reported, it's a first apron hard cap (not banking on that), they probably wouldn't have enough space. Declining to exercise their team options on Jefferies & Sims,... letting Diakite walk could provide a bit more room, but they would still have to fill those roster spots, so it wouldn't end up amounting to much?

If OG wants a max,... and this is a first apron cap,.. don't see how they get there?