If You Were GM...

[Crossova21]

I thought it would be fun to see what everyone would do if they had control of the team for one season. The team hasn't really been living up to expectations as of late and a lot of people are putting the blame on Larry Bird. So what would you do with the current team?

Rules:

1.) One trade (must make sense for both teams and ran through trade checker)

2.) One draft pick (assuming that the Pacers get a pick between the 3rd and 8th pick in the 2010 draft)

3.) One free agent signing (in summer of 2011 because that's when we'll have the money to spend...must reflect the trade and draft pick in #1 and #2)

4.) Afterwards tell what the line-up would look like after your changes.

[Gremz]

I'll give it a go, but I'll have to combine one and two and use a couple of assumptions.

1) Assuming we don't get a pick between 1-4. Trade T.J Ford and the #5 pick for Devin Harris.

Why for Indiana? We move some dead salary and a project for a guy who is definitely ready to make a push for a deep playoff run. Harris has had his injury concerns but hopefully they're done with. He's on a pretty decent contract too.

Why for New Jersey? I think this season is a pretty good indication that they're not going anywhere soon. If they manage to pick up Wall, then adding another top 5 pick to Lopez, Wall, Yi, Douglas-Roberts and Lee gives them tremendous hope for the future.

2) Can't draft as we moved the pick, but perhaps guys like Sherron Collins or Craig Brackins can be had with our early 2nd rounder.

3) David West. I think his mid range game would be a tremendous fit next to Roy's deep post play. We would effectively cover most offensive bases and increase our defense.

Harris/Price
Rush/D.Jones
Granger/D.Jones
West/Hansbrough
Hibbert/?

Not a bad group to roll forward with. Adding pieces in the year or so following 2011 should increase depth.

[MUpacersSIC]

Anyone know where I can find a list of all the 2011 free agents?

[Crossova21]

1. Trade Ford, Murphy, Rush, 2010 1st to Memphis for Randolph, Gay and Memphis 1st (late-lottery)

2. Draft Xavier Henry if still available or grab Cousins

3. Sign Mike Conley in 2011...not the most productive PG but still has room for improvement

4. Conley/ Price
Henry(?)/Jones
Gay/Jones
Granger/Hansbrough
Hibbert/ Cousins

[8305]

Trade Murphy for Z,
The logic to this has been discussed at length. Celevland gets their stretch big and probably can resign Z before the end of the year. Indiana creates future salary flexibility and forces O'Brien to use both Hibbert and Hansbrough extensively for the rest of the season.

Draft Wesley Johnson or Al Aminu
Assuming that from pick #3 back that John Wall and Even Turner will be gone. Pacers need to get more athletic. They also want to be able to play small. Either of these guys would make an interesting backup power forward in a small lineup. They also have Granger like length and upside.

Free Agent Randy Foye
Could Foye be to the Pacers what Billups was to Detroit? Moving Murphy would put Pacers in position to offer a full mid level contract to someone this summer without paying luxury tax.

LIneup
sf Granger, Dunleavy
pf Hansbrough, Aminu/Johnson
c Hibbert, Foster
sg Rush, Jones
pg Foye, Price

Don't think I've wandered too far into fantasy land with these moves and if the young guys evolve we could be on the way to a team modeled after Detroit earlier this decade.

[khensley308]

Pacers trade: Murphy and Foster

Suns Trade: Stoudamire

Good for both teams... the Suns get a 3 point shooter and a good defender and get rid of Stoudamire who they are not happy with. The Pacers get Stoudamire for the rest of the season and get rif of alot of salary.

[Miller4ever]

^^That would be a nice one-year rental. Then we'd be stuck with nobody come 2010-2011.

[PR07]

I would trade Foster and Murphy for Stoudemire in a New York minute.