Time to get a True Point Guard

[FreeRon]

As much as I'd like to magically turn Granger into a SG, I have misplaced my wand. Plan B is trading Granger for Russell Westbrook, but that also looks unlikely. Realistically, as much as I hate it, I don't see George doing well moving back to the 2. I also don't see us getting anything for Granger at this point. I'm sure interest is very high because everyone wants to give us a top-59 protected pick and cash considerations, but that's not going to help us. We have bigger needs to address in the offseason. There are a lot of big men expected to be drafted this year. Jeff Withey looks to be realistic (style like Serge Ibaka, talent not so much), as does Victor Oladipo (great defender who can shoot the 3 if open). If we have to trade Granger, I see best case scenario as a late first rounder and a TPE. Assuming we COULD get that deal, is that the sort of thing you all are looking for? Short of Trey Burke dropping to us, a backup 4/5 and (assuming Granger/George doesn't work) a defensive 2 is what I would look for this offseason. Please don't kill me, I don't claim to be an expert.

[shrink]

As a MIN fan, it looks to me like Ridnour and Amundson would have more value to you than us. Rubio is playing more minutes, and the Wolves probably don't need a third PG.

IND is gearing up for the play-offs, and a vet like Ridnour could be useful as a #1 or #2 PG, or a back-up SG if you need a shooter. Ridnour's at 12 and 4 this year and a decent FG for a jump shooter 44.1%, though his 3P shot has not been clicking. He's only average defensively, but with all the Wolves SG issues, he's been forced to defend some pretty big SG's, which is clearly not his role. He's paid a reasonable $4.0 and $4.3, and he'd certainly bring more consistency and production than Augustin this year. Amundson is on the vet min, and he just never found his way here - maybe he'd be better back with you guys as an extra vet big man in the play-offs.

I don't know what the price would be. There are probably a half dozen teams that could use Ridnour, so I think he has slightly positive trade value. The wolves are probably looking for a comparable rotation player on a decent contract (their weakest areas are for a back-up SG and C), or less productive expirings and a rotation-level pick .. like top 20 protected.

[Scoot McGroot]

As a MIN fan, it looks to me like Ridnour and Amundson would have more value to you than us. Rubio is playing more minutes, and the Wolves probably don't need a third PG.

IND is gearing up for the play-offs, and a vet like Ridnour could be useful as a #1 or #2 PG, or a back-up SG if you need a shooter. Ridnour's at 12 and 4 this year and a decent FG for a jump shooter 44.1%, though his 3P shot has not been clicking. He's only average defensively, but with all the Wolves SG issues, he's been forced to defend some pretty big SG's, which is clearly not his role. He's paid a reasonable $4.0 and $4.3, and he'd certainly bring more consistency and production than Augustin this year. Amundson is on the vet min, and he just never found his way here - maybe he'd be better back with you guys as an extra vet big man in the play-offs.

I don't know what the price would be. There are probably a half dozen teams that could use Ridnour, so I think he has slightly positive trade value. The wolves are probably looking for a comparable rotation player on a decent contract (their weakest areas are for a back-up SG and C), or less productive expirings and a rotation-level pick .. like top 20 protected.

Yeah, the role we would be looking at Ridnour for is so small that giving anything more than a 2nd rounder is simply too much for us to pay.

[Brauer]

Granger for Lowry?

[Jake0890]

Granger for Lowry?

Straight up? No way.

[Solid]

Granger, Augustin, Green, and Hansbourgh for

Lowry, Davis, kleiza, Bargnani.


Hib Ian Bargs
West Davis Bargs Plumblee
PG Kleiza
Hill Lance OJ
lowry Hill

[Jake0890]

Anything with Bargs is out of the question. Avoid him like the plague.

[Solid]

He's ugly overpayed but to get an upgrade at the point, a possible replacement when West leaves, upgrade back up 3, and we lose freakin' green!

That's a lot of value back, and that team looks pretty good.

[Gremz]

The Raptors wouldn't do that deal I don't think. That's a lot of eggs in one basket.

[tocooks]

I think you guys are crazy. Vogel has said himself he sees HIll as an extension of himself and how he wants the Pacers to play on the court. The league has changed and you no longer need a true point guard with all the isolation teams play.

Say we add Jose Calderon for cheap, who are we taking off the floor when our season is on the line? Hill, George, Granger, West or Hibbert? I don't like any of those candidates.

Augustin is alot more of a true point guard then Hill and our offense grinds to a hault when he is in there for the most part. This team has some issues I would like to see corrected but our starting PG is NOT one of them.

[Dunkin Dutchman]

When it really comes down to it, I think that Lance Stephenson is a slightly below average staring off guard. With that said, with that said we can bring in another combo guard in off the bench and play he and Gh together in the back court. I think the perfect candidate would be someone like Wesley Mathews from Portland. I think at that point both are just big enough to play together and not be outmanned defensvely. That is the type of player we need to sig this summer after we let Augustin walk.

[Solid]

Lance is improving rapidly and you can see he is really passionate about it. I think he will end up being a better starter at either position than GH.

I'd favor an upgrade at the point with Hill backing up both positions.

I can live with the back court we have however. I am hoping Hill continues his develpment - but I just do not see the instinct as a passer.

I feel our biggest looming need is a young stud PF (even assuming that we resign DW). Guys like that take time to develop - and the developed ones are very costly.

If we can get good value for DG in the offseason for either a young PF with great PO or an upgrade point I'd do it.
Just doesn't make sense to me to have all that talent at the same position.

[Hoop Hunter]

I think you guys are crazy. Vogel has said himself he sees HIll as an extension of himself and how he wants the Pacers to play on the court. The league has changed and you no longer need a true point guard with all the isolation teams play.

Say we add Jose Calderon for cheap, who are we taking off the floor when our season is on the line? Hill, George, Granger, West or Hibbert? I don't like any of those candidates.

Augustin is alot more of a true point guard then Hill and our offense grinds to a hault when he is in there for the most part. This team has some issues I would like to see corrected but our starting PG is NOT one of them.

+1

[Grang33r]

If the Pacers need a new point guard or not will be debated endlessly. I can't disagree, that despite the play of DJ Augustin recently, i still think they can improve on that position, even if it is from a solely depth standpoint. I don't think teams can ever get too comfortable with what they have. Should always look to improve your squad. Those are the best GMs in any sport. Once you "fall in love" with your squad, and only want to make minor tweaks, is when you're on a downward spiral.

That said, one thing the Pacers don't need, is to change the culture of the team right now, and something dramatic would. Getting a new starting PG, would be a big move for the team. Not only from a chemistry standpoint but overall moral of the team. Such moves are best made in the summer IMO.