Free Agency Starting. What do Pacers do?

[chatard5]

Well in about 45 minutes the free agency period will begin. I thought I would see what players you all want us to go over and about George and Hibbert. How much will Hibbert get offered? We are meeting with Brandon Roy and Steve Nash, apparently. Any shot at either and would you like the move?

[Scoot McGroot]

Last I heard, Nash had not planned a meeting with us.

According to Mike Wells, we will call Deron Williams and his agent tonight to gauge interest and kick the tires. We'll likely be rebuffed ASAP. We'll then do the same with Nash. Who knows where that will go.

After that, it's up in the air. Newly un-restricted guys like OJ Mayo, Mike Beasley, and Anthony Randolph could be interesting.

Here's the other guys I've thought about on the fringes:

MLE or lower affordable guys:
Chauncey Billups
Jason Kidd
Ray Allen
Kirk Hinrich
Jeff Green
Antawn Jamison
Ian Mahinmi
Jason Terry
Jordan Hill
Landry Fields
Grant Hill
Aaron Brooks
Marcus Camby

Ultimately, I think a SF/PF, another player, somewhere in the PG/SG/SF range, and another center (possibly Lou or Fesenko).

Our roster, including likely re-signs is:

Hill/Collison/Lance
George/Johnson
Granger/Jones
West/Hansbrough/Pendergraph
Hibbert/Plumlee

That leaves AJ Price, Lou Amundson, Kyrylo Fesenko, and Leandro Barbosa as free agents.

I would think an offensive option at the wings would be pursued (think Mayo or Crawford, or possibly re-signing Barbosa). Another big man, as well. Possibly one that can play SF/PF or PF/C. Fesenko or Lou would probably fill this. I would imagine the FO and coaches would prefer Lou, but he'll likely be a bit more expensive than Fesenko. Lastly, another PG could be added, but may lead to the movement of Collison at some point. Brandon Roy would likely be a flier as the 15th roster spot. I'm not sure he can be counted on much of anything. Even as such, we're butting up against the roster limit before we're likely butting up against the luxury tax.

[Wizop]

if we can land a marquee free agent point guard, of course we do. otherwise, I'd pencil Lance in at the two rather than the one meaning that AJ comes back even if he's #13. you need three true point guards to protect against injury.

and that depth chart just screams, trade Dahntay and find a true 3.

[chatard5]

Good stuff Scoot.

With Eric Gordon always being in Indy I believe he would sign with us. The Hornets will match, though. That'd be a big shake-up.

I'd like one of these vet PGs. Trade Collison and get Nash or Kidd or even Billups some how. I haven't even heard if Kidd is looking elsewhere. I'd assume he would especially if they are looking at Nash.

[Scoot McGroot]

And, the Pacers are meeting with Eric Gordon on Sunday, one of the first teams to do so.

Keep calm everyone. New Orleans would likely match any offer.

[chatard5]

ESPN has a pretty good article: http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/81160 ... ba-targets

And I like this guys thinking (about where Steve Nash should go): Zach Harper, Daily Dime Live: Indiana. I'm all in on Nash to the Pacers. Putting that defense behind him and allowing him to direct their scoring options is an almost too-perfect fit. With Derrick Rose recovering for the Bulls, Indiana easily could move closer to Miami's level with Nash on board. Even with the Heat to get by, the Pacers have fewer roadblocks than teams in the West.

Ooh and on a separate note I wonder about Brandon Roy, too. I question how healthy he can be but he was great up in Portland for a while.

[SacKingZZZ]

Sam Amick reporting more than one team offered Hibbert a max deal. OMG. Let him go.

[GreenRiddler]

Sam Amick reporting more than one team offered Hibbert a max deal. OMG. Let him go.

HA my team (blazers) offered him the max 4yr/58.5 mill. What you gonna do?

[Crowman]

Time to S&T Roy me thinks i dont wanna match

[GreenRiddler]

Time to S&T Roy me thinks i dont wanna match

Really why?

[Crowman]

Time to S&T Roy me thinks i dont wanna match

Really why?

Stats dont lie 13 & 8 is not worthy of a max deal

[Wizop]

if that's the market value, that's the market value. we're a lot better with him than we'd be after any sign and trade. if this were fantasy basketball, by all means trade. but it is not. this is about wins and losses and putting butts in the seats. how many games do you plan to go to this year if we keep the team intact and win the central? how much lower do you figure the average attendance would be if Miles Plumlee is the starting center?

[8305]

Failing to match on Hibbert puts us into the market for Nazir Mohamid, Chris Kamen, heck maybe even Brandon Haywood. If over paying for Roy is an ugly thought.... And don't think for a minute we won't overpay for the replacement center. It's the ultimate pick your poison scenario.

I say you keep Roy. He's still young enough and has the work ethic to provide the likelihood of improvement. The alternatives pretty much are what they are.

[Nanogeek]

Amick is reporting the Pacers did not offer a max deal and Hibbert is now leaning towards Blazers unless Pacers match. One other unnamed team offered max also.

[Wizop]

I hope we match whatever he gets elsewhere. note that we can go higher but if we wait and match we don't have to go higher. maybe that's the strategy - to go only as high as the other teams can go. I hope the strategy is not to pass on Hibbert but to offer the same dollars to Gordon.

[Shem]

Sam Amick reporting more than one team offered Hibbert a max deal. OMG. Let him go.

HA my team (blazers) offered him the max 4yr/58.5 mill. What you gonna do?

Dude, you're tone is making us Blazers fans look bad. There's no need for that.

[Brandon-Clyde]

Sam Amick reporting more than one team offered Hibbert a max deal. OMG. Let him go.

HA my team (blazers) offered him the max 4yr/58.5 mill. What you gonna do?

Dude, you're tone is making us Blazers fans look bad. There's no need for that.

I agree. Of all the teams in the East I look at the Pacers as a team in a similar position(small market) as the Blazers and wish them success(except vs the Blazers). Do not go into another teams forum and gloat and it is worse Green because you are counting your chickens before they are hatched

[LadiesLuvPGs]

I believe that the max yearly raise is 7.5%. Working backwards from $58M over 4 years, that comes out to yearly salaries of:
$12,966,916 in 2012-13
$13,939,434 in 2013-14
$14,984,892 in 2014-15
$16,108,759 in 2015-16

I hope they can work out an offer (using our advantage of the 5th year) that's less than the max that convinces Roy to stay in Indy. Something like $67M over 5 years:
$11,500,000
$12,362,500
$13,289,687
$14,286,414 (Player option?)
$15,357,895

[Wizenheimer]

I believe that the max yearly raise is 7.5%. Working backwards from $58M over 4 years, that comes out to yearly salaries of:
$12,966,916 in 2012-13
$13,939,434 in 2013-14
$14,984,892 in 2014-15
$16,108,759 in 2015-16

I hope they can work out an offer (using our advantage of the 5th year) that's less than the max that convinces Roy to stay in Indy. Something like $67M over 5 years:
$11,500,000
$12,362,500
$13,289,687
$14,286,414 (Player option?)
$15,357,895

Portland can only offer 4.5% raises

[LadiesLuvPGs]

thanks. wasn't sure about that.

How is it calculated what the max number for year #1 of the contract can be? I know Roy's cap hold is 250% of last year's salary, but what determines what figure this "max" that Portland is offering will start?