Official 2016 Off-Season Thread

[Grang33r]

I remember we used to have a trade idea thread and that was pretty popular. Let's use this space for any speculation or armchair GM thoughts we may have. Trade ideas? Free agent ideas? Let's hear them.

Who do you want the Pacers to target this summer? Robin Lopez? Ed Davis?

According to hoopshype.com, the Pacers have $63.9 million tied up going into the summer (assuming Hibbert opts-in).

[Wizop]

I see the first priority is keeping stukey. We also need a backup point guard but that could be a draftees. I don't see that we have a big name free agent budget unless someone opts out.

[Grang33r]

I see the first priority is keeping stukey. We also need a backup point guard but that could be a draftees. I don't see that we have a big name free agent budget unless someone opts out.

Right. Bird talked a big game after the season about adding offense and playing a more up-tempo offense. I just wonder how will that work with our current personnel, specifically Roy Hibbert. Once he opts-in, he'll get paid over $16 million next season. They can joke around about playing small and keeping Roy on the bench for extended time, but a guy making that kind of dough isn't gonna be sitting and watching if he is healthy.

[Grang33r]

And i also agree with you on Stuckley. I hope he's re-signed soon. Liked his energy and from all i've seen, he's more then happy to return as a reserve player as well.

[Wizop]

They can joke around about playing small and keeping Roy on the bench for extended time, but a guy making that kind of dough isn't gonna be sitting and watching if he is healthy.

Don't see why that is true. We sent Tinsley home even though we still had to pay him. Roy has at most one more year. The money impact is the same if he sits or plays. Bird said Roy would have to earn his PT and that is the way it should be. I've worried that a disrepected Roy would sulk and disappear but with one year left before a really big decision telling him to earn his time seems right to me.

That said, I'm a big Tom Moore fan and I read that Brad Stevens is doing things Tom's way too. I believe in putting players in a position to do what they do best. I don't see Roy as a three point shooter but scoring in the post against double and triple teams hasn't worked either. Far too often in the low post he seems to look around and then he's double teamed. I wonder if a high post would work better as then if he's double teamed there should be room for the undefended teammate to cut for the basket. Were I Vogel, I think I'd sit Roy down and see what would make him most confident and then tell him to make it so as playing time will be earned. That his pay check but not be earned doesn't matter. Wins matter. Of course, if he doesn't earn his way off the bench, he wan't get the offer he wants in 2016.

[Scoot McGroot]

Roy only played 25 minutes a night this past year. He's never averaged 30+ minutes a night in any season. I see no reason they couldn't sit him a few more and only play him 16-18 minutes a night, if need be.

[Wizop]

And the money is spent so time should be a separate matter.

[Grang33r]

Roy only played 25 minutes a night this past year. He's never averaged 30+ minutes a night in any season. I see no reason they couldn't sit him a few more and only play him 16-18 minutes a night, if need be.

With the season on the line, Roy played 27 vs. OKC, 37 vs. Wash (double OT) and 25 vs. Memphis. Obviously these are all teams that have size. I guess i just dont see it logistically good to sit a $16million player. You'd think the Simon's would ask some questions about player evaluation. I like Hibbert. Unless they trade him for assets i hope Vogel can find legit court time for him. If he stays with the team, him getting back to where he was at his peak needs to be a big priority of the team imo.

[Scoot McGroot]

Roy only played 25 minutes a night this past year. He's never averaged 30+ minutes a night in any season. I see no reason they couldn't sit him a few more and only play him 16-18 minutes a night, if need be.

With the season on the line, Roy played 27 vs. OKC, 37 vs. Wash (double OT) and 25 vs. Memphis. Obviously these are all teams that have size. I guess i just dont see it logistically good to sit a $16million player. You'd think the Simon's would ask some questions about player evaluation. I like Hibbert. Unless they trade him for assets i hope Vogel can find legit court time for him. If he stays with the team, him getting back to where he was at his peak needs to be a big priority of the team imo.

No one said Hibbert was going to sit. They said his role would be reduced.

Otherwise, remember that Hibbert was re-signed by Walsh/Pritchard when Bird took a year off. He didn't evaluate and resign Roy. Others did.

[MNPacersfan]

At worst, Hibbert is waived via the stretch.
At best, he learns how to make moves TO the basket rather than always rolling away. The guy's a good FT shooter (great for the 5 spot). The team should be looking at ways to either utilize him inside-out, or figure out how to surround him with shooters/cutters that can draw the double teamers out of the lane to let him make something happen. He's far too methodical and WAY too predictable. Hopefully he spends the entire summer watching tape of Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem and hell, Anthony Davis!

With that said, Stuckey has no Bird rights, correct? So he's the mid-level. I've been wondering if West would waive his option with the understanding that the team would sign him for 2 years $14mill or something. That would free up a little cash, but what room is left for FA additions? It could be a tough off-season.

[Grang33r]

Roy only played 25 minutes a night this past year. He's never averaged 30+ minutes a night in any season. I see no reason they couldn't sit him a few more and only play him 16-18 minutes a night, if need be.

With the season on the line, Roy played 27 vs. OKC, 37 vs. Wash (double OT) and 25 vs. Memphis. Obviously these are all teams that have size. I guess i just dont see it logistically good to sit a $16million player. You'd think the Simon's would ask some questions about player evaluation. I like Hibbert. Unless they trade him for assets i hope Vogel can find legit court time for him. If he stays with the team, him getting back to where he was at his peak needs to be a big priority of the team imo.

No one said Hibbert was going to sit. They said his role would be reduced.

Otherwise, remember that Hibbert was re-signed by Walsh/Pritchard when Bird took a year off. He didn't evaluate and resign Roy. Others did.

Thats true.

[Scoot McGroot]

At worst, Hibbert is waived via the stretch.
At best, he learns how to make moves TO the basket rather than always rolling away. The guy's a good FT shooter (great for the 5 spot). The team should be looking at ways to either utilize him inside-out, or figure out how to surround him with shooters/cutters that can draw the double teamers out of the lane to let him make something happen. He's far too methodical and WAY too predictable. Hopefully he spends the entire summer watching tape of Hakeem Olajuwon and Kareem and hell, Anthony Davis!

With that said, Stuckey has no Bird rights, correct? So he's the mid-level. I've been wondering if West would waive his option with the understanding that the team would sign him for 2 years $14mill or something. That would free up a little cash, but what room is left for FA additions? It could be a tough off-season.

With Wests age, and a cab provision called "over 36 provision", even if West opts out and signs for something like that, it's likely the cap hits would actually make us worse off. It's a provision to prevent exactly what you're describing.

Otherwise, if we keep our pick and West/Hibbert, we have room for the same as past years. MLE, BAE, draft picks and vet minimum contracts.

[Grang33r]

Lets say West opts out, what would our best option be at the 4 spot?

[EuroPacer]

It is going to be a tough off-season, period. This group needs one more year to demonstrate what it could be, including Hibbert. I don't see the point in forcing the issue now, not with West and Hibbert likely going at the end of next year, we don't have a lot of room to play with.

I think our guards and SF are well set for a challenge next year, what we need is to get the optimum out of our C and PF positions. Why change that now? With Hibbert and West we know that, if fit, we have great defensive dominance and experience, Mahinmi and Scola offer valuable back-up and Lavoy Allen, should he stay, is a good additional piece in that line-up.

Rudez, Stuckey, Watson, Hill can complement the back-court and SF well.

so it's like this: If we had been fit this year we would have challenged for a top-4 finish in the East with ease, next year the new guys will have gained experience and we add a valuable rookie. It can only be better.

[Scoot McGroot]

Lets say West opts out, what would our best option be at the 4 spot?

If West opts out, we'd be about $11-13m-ish under the salary cap (depending on where we end up in the draft lottery). So, we'd lose the BAE, and have the Room exception (presumably to sign Stuckey with). So, $11-13m to hit free agency for any impact bench players we don't have bird rights on, and then vet minimum salaries other than that.

So,

[pacers33]

Lets say West opts out, what would our best option be at the 4 spot?

If West opts out, we'd be about $11-13m-ish under the salary cap (depending on where we end up in the draft lottery). So, we'd lose the BAE, and have the Room exception (presumably to sign Stuckey with). So, $11-13m to hit free agency for any impact bench players we don't have bird rights on, and then vet minimum salaries other than that.

So,

Why do you have to use facts? WHY?!

[Scoot McGroot]

Lets say West opts out, what would our best option be at the 4 spot?

If West opts out, we'd be about $11-13m-ish under the salary cap (depending on where we end up in the draft lottery). So, we'd lose the BAE, and have the Room exception (presumably to sign Stuckey with). So, $11-13m to hit free agency for any impact bench players we don't have bird rights on, and then vet minimum salaries other than that.

So,

Why do you have to use facts? WHY?!

[Vindicater]

How does George look?

Will he be back to almost 100% by the start of the season or will he still be feeling some effects of his injury?

If Minnesota fall out of the top 2 in the draft would you guys be interested in a George for the #3/4 pick plus filler? (Pekovic/Martin probably to make salaries match)

[bondom34]

How does George look?

Will he be back to almost 100% by the start of the season or will he still be feeling some effects of his injury?

If Minnesota fall out of the top 2 in the draft would you guys be interested in a George for the #3/4 pick plus filler? (Pekovic/Martin probably to make salaries match)

Nah.

[MillerTheKiller]

If Minnesota fall out of the top 2 in the draft would you guys be interested in a George for the #3/4 pick plus filler? (Pekovic/Martin probably to make salaries match)

Sorry, but no way.