Free Agent Class of '09

[Crossova21]

According to Chad Ford, the Pacers should be major players in free agency. Assuming they let everyone walk the will be $11 million under the cap.

I wouldnt' mind letting Jack walk if there is another starting-caliber point guard available. However with yesterday's pick I'm not too comfortable with our PF rotation. I'm not going to say I hate Hansbrough as a player (although I disagree with the pick) but I just don't see how he helps us become a contender. I know no one in the draft makes us a contender but I think Hansbrough has already reached his ceiling. Neither him or Murphy (as much as I like Murph) would ever start on a contending team. Which is why I think Bird and Co. need to make a move when free agency begins.

With that said, and assuming (for fun) that the Pacers don't bring Jack back, what would you like to see us do with that extra $11 million?

[notque]

Not spend it so the Pacers become more profitable, and the team doesn't get moved away from Indiana.

[count55]

Ford is completely wrong. We are right at the cap. We have maybe $11mm left under the tax, and we have to sign about 5 or 6 guys with that money, include one or both of our draft picks.

Please see this thread for an accurate discussion of our cap space:

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=903674

[count55]

Not spend it so the Pacers become more profitable, and the team doesn't get moved away from Indiana.

This is a good way to ensure that the Pacers are sold/move. To become more profitable, they must improve the product. They must spend prudently, but they must spend. Simply curling up in the fetal position and hoping it all goes away is foolish, and ultimately self-defeating.

[Crossova21]

Hmmm...I guess a better question would be who do we want to trade for?

I honestly just don't think that with the team we have we will struggle for a playoff spot yet again. I hope Rush and Hibbert break out like Granger did. Rush becomes a deadly scorer and Hibbert puts on like 20 lbs of muscle. I just don't see us getting anywhere if we don't make another move. Hopefully Ford will become the next Dunleavy in how he struggled his first season here but became a valuable asset after he had adapted to the season.

One more move and I'm a happy camper. Not for a scrub though. If it's a young player he better have potential.

[fienX420]

I don't see a trade happening. Ford was the only piece we could move. And that was only if we got a PG in the draft. We go into next season with the same roster as last year. Plus Hansbrough. And a hopefully healthy-at-some-point Dunleavy. I think playoffs are likely... but I thought that last year. The year of seasoning for the rookies needs to go a long way.

[fienX420]

Actually, on second thought - maybe a trade is possible. I still think Ford is our only movable piece. But we could certainly trade him in a sign-and-trade deal for a free agent. Of course, not sure who we would want to pay $8.5 million to that is better than TJ and his current team would want to pay TJ for two years instead... (not saying any of these are likely)... Ben Gordon? Jason Kidd? Mike Bibby? Raymond Felton? Allen Iverson? Ramon Sessions? Nate Robinson? Andre Miller? Please feel free to eliminate the options...

I'll start... No on Nate Robinson - New York needs maximum cap room for next summer (they won't get LeBron, but maybe they'll get somebody).

[laydo]

After signing the extension for Danny Granger and Jeff Forster last summer, the Pacers don't have much salary space to hunt in the free agent market. Besides, it's risky to get a big star by signing from different team. Just look how the 76ers, Clippers and Warriors do now. It takes time for the new comer to adjust and for the team to build the chemistry.

[Gremz]

Not spend it so the Pacers become more profitable, and the team doesn't get moved away from Indiana.

This.

I'm not a fan of this Free Agency, barring a couple of players who would probably not be attainable in any case.