Start Dunleavy to showcase him for trade?

[jowglenn]

Really interesting stuff came up in an Indy related thread on the T&T board. Indy2thaWindy was saying how sure he was that Rush would start over Dunleavy, and I was agreeing.... but then I thought about it for a minute.

Isn't there a chance that if Dunleavy is healthy, Bird plays him as much as possible to showcase him for trade value? Dunleavy is naturally one of our obviously moveable pieces. But since he's been injured, it seems like it'll be hard to get value for him. We have to show what a healthy Dunleavy can contribute to another team.

But on the other hand, I really like what Dunleavy brings to the 2nd unit, as a ball-handler and initiator when Collison is out. Could we give him enough minutes off the bench to make it work?

Then, once we trade him, we can move Rush into the starting lineup.

What does everyone think?

[8305]

I"m not sure it makes that much difference from the perspective of trade value. As you get to the end of a player's contract a good player's value decreases because other teams become fearful of not being able to resign the good player. Before the draft there was a lot of discussion about acquiring Tony Parker but many were concerned about the potential of not resigning him and as a result were discounting Parker's value. I know that's how I looked at any trade for Parker.

A player coming to the end of a bad contract begins to acquire value to the extent that he looks attractive to a team who wants to move a longer contract. Its always seemed to me that an expiring contract doesn't serve much of a trade purpose unless you have some young talent to supplement the trade. The Knicks for Isiah Thomas's entire tenure thought having a max money expiring contract was a great thing but they were never able to make a good trade because they had minimal young talent.

The Mike Dunleavy of 2007-2008 was a pretty good player. If he can regain that form he'll get his minutes. I've always thought he would be a great 6th man. If other players step up their games to allow us that luxury we'll be pretty good I think. You will want him on the floor because we will be in the playoff hunt.

[mizzoupacers]

^ For teams looking only to dump salary, it probably doesn't matter whether the guy with the expiring contract they are trading for is having a good year. But what about teams looking to add a good player in midseason for the stretch run, teams that are in "win now" mode? I think Dunleavy could have some appeal for teams like that if he is playing well. So I think he broadens his trade appeal if he is "showcased."

Anyway, I'd start Rush and make Dunleavy the sixth man (if he is back to something approaching where he was at his peak). I think that's a role he is better suited for, and he'd probably get about as many minutes as most of the starters.

[jowglenn]

You're probably right that Dunleavy is best as the 6th man, getting like 25 minutes per game. I just really hope he can come out looking good.

Murphy was interesting, in that he was in some ways traded for future cap relief (posey) but the team that got him actually was taking on a lot of salary to do so - the Nets. They wanted Murphy for his ability to play ball, not just expiring contract.

I think the same will be said of Dunleavy. Some team, come trade deadline, is going to say, 'gosh we really need to bolster our wing situation here.... who's available?' and Dunleavy will look nice - expiring, so no long-term commitment. Veteran, but not old and rusty. Brings a unique skill set.


For example, if Battier got injured in Houston, they'd be pretty tight on the wing there. Jeffries/PPatterson for Dunleavy?

[Wizop]

I doubt Bird will tell O'Brien who to start. if Mike is the Mike of two years ago, he's our second best player. if he's the Mike of last year, he's not in the top 10. personally I'd rather be a playoff contender than get a lot of ping pong balls this year.

[8305]

I think the problem with the notion of moving Dunleavy to a contender at the deadline is the size of his contract and the salary cap. Good teams are likely to be above the cap and for those teams moving 10-11 mil in salary could cripple the foundation of what they have in place. Not saying it can't happen. I'd have never guessed we could turn Troy Murphy into Darren Collison. That's what's cool about having expiring contracts and young talent. Its hard to know what might be available at the deadline.

[colts2004]

While I was a huge fan of Jarred Jeffries when he was at IU, his pro career has been pathetic. If they trade Dunleavy, hope they get something worth while out of him or just let his contract expire and then sign someone.

Besides, if he is having a great year, it would be more valuable to keep him and help us make the playoffs

[PaceWalker]

While I was a huge fan of Jarred Jeffries when he was at IU, his pro career has been pathetic. If they trade Dunleavy, hope they get something worth while out of him or just let his contract expire and then sign someone.

Besides, if he is having a great year, it would be more valuable to keep him and help us make the playoffs

Jeffries isn't the focal point of that trade. Patrick Patterson is. Jeffries is just a throw in to match salary.

[Indy2thaWindy]

He also adds depth to the 4 along with Patterson.

[Miller4ever]

I'd have never guessed we could turn Troy Murphy into Darren Collison. That's what's cool about having expiring contracts and young talent. Its hard to know what might be available at the deadline.

This is very true.

[Scoot McGroot]

For example, if Battier got injured in Houston, they'd be pretty tight on the wing there. Jeffries/PPatterson for Dunleavy?

I can't imagine that Houston thinks that this is the last chance for them to win a championship that they have to go for broke and mortgage a bit of the future by giving up a lotto pick. That's not exactly right.

I'd have to think we'd have to include something of some good value to mitigate the loss of Patterson, even if Dunleavy is a bit of a step up from Jeffries.

[Boneman2]

Patrick could be the next Boozer.... Better than Landry imo.

[zapatasblood]

Dunleavy sucks! His value is not his play but his expiring contract.

[Moooose]

Dunleavy sucks! His value is not his play but his expiring contract.

Not really.
His value dropped significantly because of his injuries. If he's 100% healthy, he can produce good numbers, not to mention his smarts and intangibles. See his stats way back in 07-08 and see for yourself.
When healthy, he's the 2nd best option we have next to Granger. If healthy he's a legit starter.
Because of his injuries, it will be hard for the Pacers to trade him as he's got a not so good trade value.
On the other end, it could also be beneficial if the Pacers keep him in his contract year, he's gotta redeem himself.

[Kuq_e_Zi91]

I've never understood the fascination with Dunleavy by some Pacers fans. He had one standout season, and now that's the standard we hold him to? How about the other seven where he was just average at best?

Yes, he's a good passer. Yes, he has a good feel for the game. Yes, he's a smart team defender and he's good at drawing charges. However, playing him at the 2 is a disaster waiting to happen against most starting guards. He's best suited as a role player; knock down some threes, draw some charges, give the starters a breather and go back to the bench.

Why are we still waiting for him to be "finally healthy"? How long are we going to give him before we realize that maybe that one season was an anomaly and he has simply come back to earth?

Also, I'd disagree that even if he was "healthy" that he would be our second option behind Granger. That has to be Hibbert at this point. At least, I hope so. The big fella needs some more touches.

[Indy2thaWindy]

I've never gotten it either.