Backup big man?

[PacerRays07]

With the need for another big man, the Pacers need to go looking. As far as undrafted bigs go, I would look at Rick Jackson, who plays bigger than his 6'9" height, as he is not afraid to bang around down low. If the coaches could get him to be a little more active and less lazy, I think he could be a really good player. Let me know what you guys think. Any other undrafted or trades/FA you think would work well and are actually attainable?

[Gremz]

Moves will be made in the off season to address it. We can look to sign a good big, hopefully a David West or Nene type or look to get a good young big by taking on some future unwanted salary.

They are my two bets as to how we'll be looking to do business.

Something tells me that Nene will sign an extension. It's all about who's available.

Long story short, I think with Hansbrough and perhaps Foster, that we already have our "backup bigs"

[JMAC3]

I think you guys have a solid big man rotation as is in Hibbert and Foster at Center and Hansborough and McRoberts at the 4. You guys could use one more bench big and Rich Jackson probably fits the bill as he is capable of playing either position. His upside may not be as much as a guy like Greg Smith. Foster is a nice veteran big on a young team so I think you guys will be willing to sign him to a new deal.

[PacerRays07]

The one thing that I don't like about McRoberts at the 4 is that he is rarely ever down low. Kind of reminds me of a rich man's Chris Bosh(yes I said a rich man's as I can't stand Bosh).

[laydo]

First, bring back Foster and J-Mac. Foster will end his career here as a Pacer and J-Mac is the best passer or even the play-maker in the 2nd unit, and he'd like to stay. To bring them both back, I don't think cost more than 8 million for the salary in 2011-12.

After that, the Pacers will still have about more than 13 million salary cap space in 2011-12, assume the salary cap is as the same this season. That'll enough for us going after some qulified big guys in the free agency, such as Nene, Tyson Chandler, or DeAndre Jordan.

Another way is use the space to trade a big man. Teams like Utah, and Cleveland are a bit crowded in the paint, the Pacers could go after someone like Al Jefferson, Anderson Varejao, or Emeka Okafor, to upgrade the paint depth.

[PacerRays07]

Out of the 6 players listed I would be open to Nene and Chandler. Neither of them are afraid of contact or going after the boards. I dont know much about Jordan so I cant really say a whole lot. Anderson Varejao is too soft for what the Pacers need and Emeka just isn't an NBA player. I thought he was overrated in college.

[Miller4ever]

If we're talking about backup bigs, Varejao and Emeka would be fine (on more reasonable contracts). I also don't think Varejao is soft. He doesn't shy away from contact and draws and gives a lot of fouls.

[mizzoupacers]

I'd like the Pacers to bring Stanko Barac over and see what he's got. Supposedly he is NBA-ready and his contract is not an insurmountable barrier. But if there's a lockout, that would complicate things.

Re-sign Foster as Hibbert's backup, and have a look at Barac...I'd be satisfied with those moves this summer for the Pacers' center position.

Power forward is a bigger challenge. If the Pacers are going to make a splash in free agency, or make a trade, power forward now seems like the most obvious position to address. Ideally, I'd like to see someone who can compete with Hansbrough for the starter's spot, if not replace him as the starter. And even then there would be need for a third guy as well for additional depth, assuming McRoberts is now too expensive for that role.

[frizzledizzle]

I agree with re-signing Jeff Foster and Josh McRoberts.

If possible, I'd like the Pacers to do what they can to sign Oden. It sounds crazy with his injury history but it's possible that the biggest problem has been putting him back on the floor too soon. He's such a game changer that the Blazers were willing to throw him out there the second the doctors ok'd it. He'd be given the chance to sit as long as he needs behind Hibbert and Foster instead of being tossed on the court while his healing injury is still tender. If he got completely healthy... we'd be in for a treat. I know it's a big if but it might be worth the risk. We could then trade him or Hibbert. Or, we could just play them 20 minutes apiece. You can never have too many quality big men and this would save some wear and tear.

Otherwise, I'd just like to see the Pacers add some depth with Reggie Evans who is an amazing rebounder or Brian Cardinal who will give it his all for 10 quality minutes or whatever. I liked what he did a lot for the Mavs in the playoffs. And there is always the option of signing someone like Glen Davis who can play both power forward and center. I'm guessing he'll probably demand more than he is worth but he's a solid player.

Also, I'd like to sign undrafted SG/SF Scotty Hopson. Even if it means waiving A.J. Price, James Posey or Dahntay Jones. James Posey definitely needs to be bought out if the Pacers aren't planning on trading him by the deadline midway through the season. No point in wasting a roster spot on him if they're not going to get anything for him. It's not like he is going to see the floor.

[paulgeorge24]

If we're talking about backup bigs, Varejao and Emeka would be fine (on more reasonable contracts). I also don't think Varejao is soft. He doesn't shy away from contact and draws and gives a lot of fouls.

Emeka wouldnt be a backup for us. Especially considering our specific needs for a 4.

and whoever said McBob is a good passer, no hes not. Simply said.

[frizzledizzle]

and whoever said McBob is a good passer, no hes not. Simply said.

I don't know... I thought he was alright.

Power Forwards - Based on CBS Sports Player Rankings
4.1 Boris Diaw
3.8 Blake Griffin
3.3 Pau Gasol
3.0 Lamar Odom
2.7 Chuck Hayes
2.7 Tim Duncan
2.6 Amar'e Stoudemire
2.6 Dirk Nowitzki
2.5 Kevin Love
2.5 Paul Millsap
2.5 Luis Scola
2.5 Carlos Boozer
2.4 Kevin Garnett
2.3 James Johnson
2.3 David West
2.3 Kenyon Martin
2.2 Michael Beasley
2.2 Zach Randolph
2.1 Josh McRoberts
2.1 LaMarcus Aldridge
1.9 Chris Bosh
1.7 Antawn Jamison
1.6 Rashard Lewis
1.5 Elton Brand
1.4 Green
1.4 Marvin Williams
1.4 Shawn Marion
1.4 Al Harrington
1.3 Anthony Tolliver
1.3 Reggie Evans
1.3 Drew Gooden
1.2 Jason Thompson
1.2 Glen Davis
1.2 Kurt Thomas
1.2 Antonio McDyess
1.2 J.J. Hickson
1.1 Kris Humphries
1.1 DeJuan Blair
1.0 Nick Collison

And keep in mind, a number of those guys are playing like 10 more minutes than McRoberts.

[Miller4ever]

After the PG's (Collison, Ford, Price, and Lance) McBob had the highest assist rate on the floor.

[DougInOz]

I'd like the Pacers to bring Stanko Barac over and see what he's got. Supposedly he is NBA-ready and his contract is not an insurmountable barrier. But if there's a lockout, that would complicate things.

In his pre-draft presser Larry said something about he had a big in Euro he wants/will/thinks will be on the roster after this season, I forget the exact phrasing but he seemed quite sure so perhaps they have been talking to Stanko and if all goes well he'll be over here soon.

[Val Holliday]

McRoberts is a solid passer. He has great vision but his passing touch/accuracy is just average in my estimation.

Anywho, I'm hopeful to get one of Nene/West and resign McRoberts. I want efficiency from our 2nd unit and McRoberts is that for the most part.

[JeffFosters]

McRoberts is a solid passer. He has great vision but his passing touch/accuracy is just average in my estimation.

Anywho, I'm hopeful to get one of Nene/West and resign McRoberts. I want efficiency from our 2nd unit and McRoberts is that for the most part.

Agreed about McRoberts. We're under no illusion; he's not going to be an All-Star, but an efficient change of pace PF on a small contract.

I don't think any of the mentioned PF's are coming to Indy though. Nene will stay, Chandler will stay etc. We'll have to get creative. Given the draft, and the trades that happened, I think a Rush for Sanders trade is more plausible now. Thats the sort of move that will happen.

[notque]

Chandler and McRoberts back would be good.

Either way, McRobert's dunks are worth the price of admission.

[laydo]

I don't think any of the mentioned PF's are coming to Indy though. Nene will stay, Chandler will stay etc. We'll have to get creative. Given the draft, and the trades that happened, I think a Rush for Sanders trade is more plausible now. Thats the sort of move that will happen.

Before anything happens, don't be too negative.

Threre's a great chance that Tyson Chandler will stay since Dallas just wins the title, and Mark Cuban isn't shy to pay the money.

Nene will be another story. The Nuggets have plenty of free agents they'd like to bring back, such inculded Nene, Wilson Chandler, Afflalo, Forbes and J.R. Smith. If Nene opts out his contract, he will be a UFA and the Paces would still have chance to bring him since we have the cap room and he could make a nice fit.

Rush for Sanders is not bad. But I don't think that move will help the Pacers that much to be able to contest with Chicago, Miami or Boston next season.

[JeffFosters]

I don't think any of the mentioned PF's are coming to Indy though. Nene will stay, Chandler will stay etc. We'll have to get creative. Given the draft, and the trades that happened, I think a Rush for Sanders trade is more plausible now. Thats the sort of move that will happen.

Before anything happens, don't be too negative.

Threre's a great chance that Tyson Chandler will stay since Dallas just wins the title, and Mark Cuban is shy to pay the money.

Nene will be another story. The Nuggets have plenty of free agents they'd like to bring back, such inculded Nene, Wilson Chandler, Afflalo, Forbes and J.R. Smith. If Nene opts out his contract, he will be a UFA and the Paces would still have chance to bring him since we have the cap room and he could make a nice fit.

Rush for Sanders is not bad. But I don't think that move will help the Pacers that much to be able to contest with Chicago, Miami or Boston next season.

I agree on Nene, but being realistic theres a very small chance he comes here. Besides, he has had two knee reco's, maybe we're better off waiting a year for the 2012 crop of FA's. Another year of development and Indy may be a really interesting place to play for FA's.

Rush for Sanders doesn't put Indy over the top, but I don't think many Pacer fans are expecting us to compete for the east next year. I am hopeful though

[8305]

Of course Nene and Chandler would be great since they could play both the 4 and 5 but the likelihood of being able to get either is extremely remote.

I'm willing to take the Pacers at their word that Barac is ready to be a capable backup. I'd also like to think Foster could be resigned for a couple years at a reasonable price just in case. that seems like a pretty easy fix to backup center.

As to power forward I don't think you want to reduce Tyler to a less than 20 minutes a game player or spend a lot of money on someone else who would be used that way. I think that rules out a guy like Carl Landry.

Restricted free agents that interest me are Luc Richard Mbah Mboute and Jonas Jerebko. Young, high energy, high iq guys who could play some at the 3 also. You'd have to throw enough money out there to make their existing teams blink. So these two might not be the cheapest avenues to travel.

Potentially cheap veterans Andre Kirelenko and Kenyon Martin might make sense. Can't see either one commanding big money this time around. If they could buy into and perform for 18 minutes a night they could be great bench guys.

[Miller4ever]

Kirilenko is a 3 to me and rebounds like one. Never been a fan of Martin, either. Ideally I would like someone who can also swing over to the 5, which is why Nene and Chandler are guys to look at.

We still have a glut of wings that we can trade around.