Should the Pacers pursue Thomas in free agency? Other options at point guard for the future?

[boomershadow]

This question seems to be popping up. We know Collison isn't the long term answer to our point guard position. IT will be a free agent this off-season, and for a long time there was talk about him deserving a Max contract. Normally the Pacers are nowhere near the conversation when it comes to those marquee free agent types, but this year's circumstances might see some teams scared off by health problems. We would be one of the few other teams with cap space. It could be an opportunity we wouldn't normally be in the running for. That doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea though. There is also the risk that after his injury he never gets back to where he was before it. And even before that there was still the matter of age.

What do you think.

[Wizop]

I wouldn't think a max contract for anyone would be a good idea. we're going to need to pay Turner and Vic already has a big contract. if Sabonis is what we hope, he'll get paid too. how many 20mm contracts can one team afford without paying tax or filling the roster with minimum deals?

I also worry that IT in particular would stop the ball from moving.

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[tonycl713]

No thanks. I like Isiah, but I don't think hed fit well for a young Pacers team in the long run.

I'd rather pick up a PG we could develop for the future.

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[Vorda]

PG position is the weakest spot in Pacers starting five... we have to improve that position cause DC is to average player for NBA contending team... The problem with IT is that we already have VO who is ball dominant player and our primary creator... so maybe is better to find some strong defensive PG... someone like Rubio and spendextra money on SF position...

[Pacers_Freak]

PG position is the weakest spot in Pacers starting five... we have to improve that position cause DC is to average player for NBA contending team... The problem with IT is that we already have VO who is ball dominant player and our primary creator... so maybe is better to find some strong defensive PG... someone like Rubio and spendextra money on SF position...

Vorda I thought you were the President of the Collison fan club???

[basketballwacko2]

I wouldn't touch IT especially for the kind of money that is being bandied about, $29 million for him? No!

The Pacers should consider this season is a transition year. They are doing better than any of us expected. But, there are some great players in this years draft. Collison is not the long term answer, with his small guarantee, could he be traded to a team that has a semi bad contract they want to ditch?

I'm thinking in a month or so around the deadline, a team needs a better backup pg, would they be willing to move a guy to the Pacers for DC and pay a #1 pick. It would have to be a playoff team. I'm thinking Washington,or Cleveland.

[Wizop]

I'm thinking in a month or so around the deadline, a team needs a better backup pg, would they be willing to move a guy to the Pacers for DC and pay a #1 pick. It would have to be a playoff team. I'm thinking Washington,or Cleveland.

I'd love another pick. I'd even love a second round pick as I really like Brunson from Villanova and no one has him going in the first round. however, we'd have to be hopelessly out of the playoffs ourselves at the deadline and I don't see that happening unless someone gets injured.

I fully agree though that this is a transition year. I don't see us getting in the top four playoff spots or winning a series against any of the teams that will get there.

by the way, here is an article from CBS praising among other things DC as a big part of our success.

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/the-inbounds-pacers-surging-tobias-harris-fueling-pistons-knicks-winning-combo/

[pizza guy]

I'd be very hesitant to make any trades during the season unless it's something we'd all consider a no-brainer. The team chemistry is too good to mess with right now without getting back an elite talent. Since that's unlikely to happen, I think we'll look to make changes in the off-season, and all bets are off then.

As for IT, I'm going to pass. In addition to age and injury concerns, his defense is non-existent, and that's already an issue for us. Offensively, I think he and Oladipo would clash whereas DC and Oladipo seem to be a really good fit.

I do think point is the first position to try to upgrade for us, despite DC playing very well this season. But I'd look to draft the most NBA-ready point guard coming out this year, and keep DC through next year while the kid learns the NBA game. That helps to balance the contracts we're going to be giving Myles and Sabonis eventually.

[Wizop]

I'd be very hesitant to make any trades during the season unless it's something we'd all consider a no-brainer. The team chemistry is too good to mess with right now without getting back an elite talent. Since that's unlikely to happen, I think we'll look to make changes in the off-season, and all bets are off then.

I agree completely and have posted something similar a few times recently on the trade forum.

I do think point is the first position to try to upgrade for us, despite DC playing very well this season. But I'd look to draft the most NBA-ready point guard coming out this year, and keep DC through next year while the kid learns the NBA game. That helps to balance the contracts we're going to be giving Myles and Sabonis eventually.

I have point guards high on my draft list too, but I'm okay drafting the most talented prospect over the most ready one. Point guards can take several years to learn the NBA game and we can afford to let a rookie learn at his own pace. that said, it looks more and more like Sexton and Duval will be gone before we draft and so I have my eye on Brunson who would meet your test more than mine.

[Tom White]

I'd be very hesitant to make any trades during the season unless it's something we'd all consider a no-brainer. The team chemistry is too good to mess with right now without getting back an elite talent. Since that's unlikely to happen, I think we'll look to make changes in the off-season, and all bets are off then.

As for IT, I'm going to pass. In addition to age and injury concerns, his defense is non-existent, and that's already an issue for us. Offensively, I think he and Oladipo would clash whereas DC and Oladipo seem to be a really good fit.

I do think point is the first position to try to upgrade for us, despite DC playing very well this season. But I'd look to draft the most NBA-ready point guard coming out this year, and keep DC through next year while the kid learns the NBA game. That helps to balance the contracts we're going to be giving Myles and Sabonis eventually.

I like a lot about this post. In particular the part about team chemistry. It has been great this year.

To add to your concerns about IT, I'd add that the Pacers have had more than their share of under-sized point guards over the years. No need to revisit them all, just remember they didn't really work out well and other players always had to cover for their...uhh....shortcomings.

[SmashMouthRod]

I wouldn't go for IT. I would prefer a guy like Mudiay. Cheaper. Still playing to prove himself. Young enough to grow with Myles and Vic. Talented enough to make elite point guards have to work to defend him.

[Jake0890]

Offering a max contract to IT is about the last thing the Pacers should do in the off-season.

[Topofthekey]

Short answer, No.

IT is a solid PG, but he is by no means an elite PG. I'm willing to wager that if you take him out of Celtics, he'd suddenly look a lot less good.

[8305]

I’m a no on IT. Improvement of this team will be driven more by upgrading defense than offense IMO. Marcus Smart would be a better target. Will Boston pay him and how much will he command are legit questions. Could he give us what we get from Lance and Joseph now only better? Little better shooter than Lance and better defender than Cory.

[Wizop]

RealGM podcast makes the point that we always have two ball handlers on the floor. while I had been thinking that one option would be to gravitate Vic to the 1, the point is a good one. Having Darren, Vic, Cory, and Lance all able to initiate a pick and roll puts a lot of pressure on the defense as when they stop a play on one side of the floor we can swing the ball to the other side where another ballhandler can do more than just force up a shot.

[basketballwacko2]

I'd still be a no on Thomas he's gonna cost too much and I'm concerned about his hip injury may slow him down and then he's only an average 5'9'' point guard.

I really love Lance he's the best passer on the team. I've seen his passes just surprise guys like "How did he get the ball to me!"

[boomershadow]

RealGM podcast makes the point that we always have two ball handlers on the floor. while I had been thinking that one option would be to gravitate Vic to the 1, the point is a good one. Having Darren, Vic, Cory, and Lance all able to initiate a pick and roll puts a lot of pressure on the defense as when they stop a play on one side of the floor we can swing the ball to the other side where another ballhandler can do more than just force up a shot.

I do wanna check out that broadcast when I get a minute, but I think that's what Pritchard was talking about even in his introductory press conference. It's really hard to stop two guys at once that can make plays and almost impossible to stop 3. We definitely have that with the DC/Vic combo, and even Bogs has given the team more than just shooting. He can take it to the rack way better than I thought.

[Wizop]

It's really hard to stop two guys at once that can make plays and almost impossible to stop 3. We definitely have that with the DC/Vic combo, and even Bogs has given the team more than just shooting. He can take it to the rack way better than I thought.

I was screaming at the TV in the Bulls game wanting them to stop shooting 3s. Last night I watched the Lakers/Sixers (odd to want the hated Lakers to win) and saw them both jacking up outside shots. we're much harder to defend when the ball is moving and we're driving. all five of our starters can drive and I like that balance better than having an elite point guard being the only player trying to break down the defense. I didn't like it last year when everyone stood still watching PG, and I wouldn't want to watch IT do the same even though unlike PG he doesn't drive in slow motion.

[Andrew McCeltic]

Thoughts now on Sabonis for Rozier? Still meh?

[Andrew McCeltic]

I’d be ok with a Smart for Sabonis trade, FWIW, if the Pacers were able to open it up and get us something from a third team.. like, Thaddeus to Detroit, Leuer and Smart to Indiana, Sabonis and Stanley Johnson to Boston..