2024 Off-Season

[Scoot McGroot]

Yeah, James has $500k guaranteed. In terms of his salary earned, Indy can basically try him out until around Thanksgiving with no additional costs, and I expect them to keep him at least that far. But, I think he has to earn his way on the roster past December 1. And even if he sticks past 12/1, it could only be until 12/15 when he's trade eligible and we may dump his contract with some cash or a swap of 2nds, or something.

I don't think he's a guarantee to develop for the whole season. I think he has to prove something to be kept around. Granted, a Myles or IJax injury could change that calculus.

Agreed. I think there are other teams that have more offensive focus on their 5, where he might be a capable, low usage back up? I think he can survive in the league,... but unless something changes, he isn't going to be a major piece of anyone's rotation? Another case where all the hype was really unfair to the guy as a HS'er.

Yup. He could develop into being an offensive focused bench 5, but if he wants multi year deals, he's going to have to get a little less worthless on defense?

And yeah. He's a guy who just physically dominated and was coordinated as a 7' back in high school when no one he played against was.

[Wizop]

Wiseman has a lot to learn on defense and his offense has no range. But iJax has limitations too.

[Wizop]

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[Pacers Forever]

Maybe Jackson? But, why would we?

does it feel like the team and iJAx are not close on the dollars of an extension and the team is willing to accommodate a trade and let Wiseman be the 2nd unit center?

I would not say that I get that feeling, no. The books for next year are tight, and Jackson is in a precarious situation where he's trying to extend while not really having a prior performance worthy of a big number to be paid, while Indy would likely want to see more before giving him a salary he wants?

As for Wiseman, he's not been 2nd unit worthy. His offense/rebounding isn't bad at all, sometimes good. But his defense is horrible so far. At this point, I think he's at risk of being waived around Thanksgiving when he would have used up all of his $500k guarantee?

I couldn’t have said it better Scoot. I think I Jax is very talented and this year he needs to break out to be a future Pacers backup. I don’t think Wiseman will break out with improved defense especially in limited minutes unless there’s an injury.

[Wizop]

I don’t think Wiseman will break out with improved defense especially in limited minutes unless there’s an injury.

Last year neither Turner, iJax, nor Stix could defend big centers. Wiseman doesn't have to be a great defender to be an improvement in some situations.

[JMaster5K]

I don’t think Wiseman will break out with improved defense especially in limited minutes unless there’s an injury.

Last year neither Turner, iJax, nor Stix could defend big centers. Wiseman doesn't have to be a great defender to be an improvement in some situations.

That's true,... but Wiseman was well behind the others. I think against the more physical centers, I-Jax was probably our best pure defender? He wasn't going to win any positioning battles, but he stayed between the offensive player & the rim, and was able to play through the contact to at least try to hamper or block the shot? But saying that,.. Myles had his moments as well because he did win a few of the positioning battles?

Problem with Wiseman,... he can't adjust while the entry pass is being made, or off the feel from the attacking 5. So, he is always out of position for defending the rim. It works when you are 7-foot, playing against 6'8"-6'9" guys,... but playing against other 7-footers,.. it doesn't.

I really hope, for the Pacers and for Wiseman, the coaching staff is able to do something to help him?

[Scoot McGroot]

I don’t think Wiseman will break out with improved defense especially in limited minutes unless there’s an injury.

Last year neither Turner, iJax, nor Stix could defend big centers. Wiseman doesn't have to be a great defender to be an improvement in some situations.

That's true,... but Wiseman was well behind the others. I think against the more physical centers, I-Jax was probably our best pure defender? He wasn't going to win any positioning battles, but he stayed between the offensive player & the rim, and was able to play through the contact to at least try to hamper or block the shot? But saying that,.. Myles had his moments as well because he did win a few of the positioning battles?

Problem with Wiseman,... he can't adjust while the entry pass is being made, or off the feel from the attacking 5. So, he is always out of position for defending the rim. It works when you are 7-foot, playing against 6'8"-6'9" guys,... but playing against other 7-footers,.. it doesn't.

I really hope, for the Pacers and for Wiseman, the coaching staff is able to do something to help him?

Yeah. I think Myles can be the best, but we’re also asking him to not pick up fouls quickly? IJax hasn’t had the same worries, so he plays physically enough to fight, but fouls out quickly. Wiseman neither understands the positioning, nor the “fighting”. Or the footwork necessary. Or defensive rotations, yet.

[JMaster5K]

Last year neither Turner, iJax, nor Stix could defend big centers. Wiseman doesn't have to be a great defender to be an improvement in some situations.

That's true,... but Wiseman was well behind the others. I think against the more physical centers, I-Jax was probably our best pure defender? He wasn't going to win any positioning battles, but he stayed between the offensive player & the rim, and was able to play through the contact to at least try to hamper or block the shot? But saying that,.. Myles had his moments as well because he did win a few of the positioning battles?

Problem with Wiseman,... he can't adjust while the entry pass is being made, or off the feel from the attacking 5. So, he is always out of position for defending the rim. It works when you are 7-foot, playing against 6'8"-6'9" guys,... but playing against other 7-footers,.. it doesn't.

I really hope, for the Pacers and for Wiseman, the coaching staff is able to do something to help him?

Yeah. I think Myles can be the best, but we’re also asking him to not pick up fouls quickly? IJax hasn’t had the same worries, so he plays physically enough to fight, but fouls out quickly. Wiseman neither understands the positioning, nor the “fighting”. Or the footwork necessary. Or defensive rotations, yet.

It's only my opinion,... but in terms of team defense, I think Myles has been even better the last 2 years than he was when he lead the league in blocks? I don't seen enough of the games,.. but the minutes I do see, he has been more vocal, calling out screens, communicating to the guys on-ball, or in the primary catch & shoot defender assignments what is going on behind them,.. who is cutting & from where. Our defense last year was not good,... probably not even bad,.... probably horrible,... but when he plays as the 'defensive quarterback', it's a LOT better than when he doesn't. That does give us something to grow?....

[Scoot McGroot]

That's true,... but Wiseman was well behind the others. I think against the more physical centers, I-Jax was probably our best pure defender? He wasn't going to win any positioning battles, but he stayed between the offensive player & the rim, and was able to play through the contact to at least try to hamper or block the shot? But saying that,.. Myles had his moments as well because he did win a few of the positioning battles?

Problem with Wiseman,... he can't adjust while the entry pass is being made, or off the feel from the attacking 5. So, he is always out of position for defending the rim. It works when you are 7-foot, playing against 6'8"-6'9" guys,... but playing against other 7-footers,.. it doesn't.

I really hope, for the Pacers and for Wiseman, the coaching staff is able to do something to help him?

Yeah. I think Myles can be the best, but we’re also asking him to not pick up fouls quickly? IJax hasn’t had the same worries, so he plays physically enough to fight, but fouls out quickly. Wiseman neither understands the positioning, nor the “fighting”. Or the footwork necessary. Or defensive rotations, yet.

It's only my opinion,... but in terms of team defense, I think Myles has been even better the last 2 years than he was when he lead the league in blocks? I don't seen enough of the games,.. but the minutes I do see, he has been more vocal, calling out screens, communicating to the guys on-ball, or in the primary catch & shoot defender assignments what is going on behind them,.. who is cutting & from where. Our defense last year was not good,... probably not even bad,.... probably horrible,... but when he plays as the 'defensive quarterback', it's a LOT better than when he doesn't. That does give us something to grow?....

I would agree on he team defense aspect. I would also point out that, as he season went on (and especially after replacing Obi with Siakam in the lineup), the defense actually got to acceptable, if not good on occasion. I think we’re more “right sized” for guys to succeed than we have been in the past, and guys know to put in the effort now.

[JMaster5K]

Yeah. I think Myles can be the best, but we’re also asking him to not pick up fouls quickly? IJax hasn’t had the same worries, so he plays physically enough to fight, but fouls out quickly. Wiseman neither understands the positioning, nor the “fighting”. Or the footwork necessary. Or defensive rotations, yet.

It's only my opinion,... but in terms of team defense, I think Myles has been even better the last 2 years than he was when he lead the league in blocks? I don't seen enough of the games,.. but the minutes I do see, he has been more vocal, calling out screens, communicating to the guys on-ball, or in the primary catch & shoot defender assignments what is going on behind them,.. who is cutting & from where. Our defense last year was not good,... probably not even bad,.... probably horrible,... but when he plays as the 'defensive quarterback', it's a LOT better than when he doesn't. That does give us something to grow?....

I would agree on he team defense aspect. I would also point out that, as he season went on (and especially after replacing Obi with Siakam in the lineup), the defense actually got to acceptable, if not good on occasion. I think we’re more “right sized” for guys to succeed than we have been in the past, and guys know to put in the effort now.

I agree with you. I really want to see what they do this season? We have some guys that are very, very good at individual defense. It's the team concepts that have plagued us,... people not in the spots to work offensive players into other players, or unable to effectively counter switches? Marty Blake was quoted as saying that it takes at least 3 years to teach & implement a team defense. Coach was starting from scratch,... Bjorkgren's defense was non-existent. This is Coach's 4th year,... things should get better just because of the learning curve,... want to see if that really happens?

Your other point is also spot on,... defensively you have to have players that can match up. OB1 improved greatly over his time with the Knicks,... but he is never going to be a good defender. He doesn't have the flexibility/lateral movement. He is what he is, coming off the bench specifically for speed & offense, he fits. On the other end?...I still think he is trying hard & giving all he can,.. he just doesn't have 'it' to be a shut down guy?

Nembhard is good, Nesmith is good, Sheppard had flashes last year & decent consistency at the end of the year,... now with this his second year, he should be good? Hoping that Walker an increase in defensive IQ this year? probably too much to ask coming from his college defense? Much more likely for next year?

It's guarding the big wings - yup we've already discussed it! - LOL, and the 4's. Pascal is good. He has match up issues with certain players, but generally he's good. but after him?... I'd still like to see if I-Jax can defend on the 4? I believe he's got the quickness, but I don't see him in practice? Maybe he doesn't have the skillset?

I may be way off,... (again), but I would guess the coaches have been emphasizing defense over the summer? IF,... big if,.. the Pacers can make an effective defensive statement, they will catch some teams by surprise early. I don't think anyone is really expecting that from this team?

Sorry,.. afternoon coffee,.. been rambling ,... again,...

[Wizop]

I won't be surprised if we play a reasonable amount of zone at least situationally. they've shown a zone with Tyrese low which should make him harder to attack.

[Pacers Forever]

So it begins again. The doubters and trolls around the league will be spewing the narrative that the Pacers don’t play teams at full strength.

The Pacers play the 76ers this coming Sunday. Embid is out per a recent report and unfortunately Drummond is his backup whom they struggle keeping off the boards. Paul George is also banged up. Oh well a win is always welcome

[JMaster5K]

So it begins again. The doubters and trolls around the league will be spewing the narrative that the Pacers don’t play teams at full strength.

The Pacers play the 76ers this coming Sunday. Embid is out per a recent report and unfortunately Drummond is his backup whom they struggle keeping off the boards. Paul George is also banged up. Oh well a win is always welcome

Maybe we could start a rumor that if teams just forfeit to the Pacers, there players won't get injured & be out for a couple of weeks?.... we could finish the season 82-0?....

[Scoot McGroot]

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[Wizop]

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I'm guessing they accommodated his agent's request to get him somewhere where he had a chance to elevate.

[Scoot McGroot]

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I'm guessing they accommodated his agent's request to get him somewhere where he had a chance to elevate.

Yup, agreed. Or, Indy may have just not even offered him a GLeague spot. It’s rough for Kendall that he never signed an exhibit 10 anywhere, so he’s not able to get a GLeague bonus.

[Wizop]

Mathurin is pushing Nesmith as the starting 3. I remain convinced that trading Nesmith for a pick would solve a lot of problems - financial for sure - but that requires Jaris or Furphy to be ready to play backup minutes at the 3.

[Scoot McGroot]

Mathurin is pushing Nesmith as the starting 3. I remain convinced that trading Nesmith for a pick would solve a lot of problems - financial for sure - but that requires Jaris or Furphy to be ready to play backup minutes at the 3.

Maybe. But for the same reason a team would be willing to give up a pick for Nesmith, we should also be wanting to keep him. Hes just starting a cheap deal for 3 seasons, and he's a very good guard/small wing defender. And when the 3 pt shot is falling, he’s a terrific player that you’d give up a ton to have on the roster. And these types of guys are the type of player that you want a ton of in your lineup.

[Wizop]

Mathurin is pushing Nesmith as the starting 3. I remain convinced that trading Nesmith for a pick would solve a lot of problems - financial for sure - but that requires Jaris or Furphy to be ready to play backup minutes at the 3.

Maybe. But for the same reason a team would be willing to give up a pick for Nesmith, we should also be wanting to keep him. Hes just starting a cheap deal for 3 seasons, and he's a very good guard/small wing defender. And when the 3 pt shot is falling, he’s a terrific player that you’d give up a ton to have on the roster. And these types of guys are the type of player that you want a ton of in your lineup.

I see it as the cost of resigning Turner without tax penalties, but time will tell. certainly the more they can get other than salaries the better.

[JMaster5K]

Any one else starting to feel like this year, we might be the in that awkward-middle position,... where we need to win now to support Pascal & Myles,... but with injuries, non-stepping-up/lack of development of younger players, maturity of the talent / talent level,... we may be forced into a development year?..... (Trying to look at things realistically, not optimistic, nor pessimistic. Struggling a bit to find that place? Seem to be a wide range of options and possibilities - It's early,. yes, that's how it always is at this point - yes. ) But it almost feels like we are stuck between directions,... way to early to feel like that.