Indiana Pacers offseason plan

[Indy]

Im going to map out a couple of scenarios that I think would take the Pacers from "Wow, they might be able to win a championship" to "HOW THE HELL ARE WE GOING TO BEAT THE PACERS?!?!"

NUMBER 1 PRIORITY
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT TRADE RON ARTEST.

With no moves made, (other then Dale Davis being re-signed) the lineup will look like this next year:

PG- Jamaal Tinsley
SG- Stephen Jackson
SF- Ron Artest
PF- Jermaine O'Neal
C- Dale Davis

Right off the bat, I like that lineup quite a bit.

There have been talks reported of a trade going down between the Pacers and Lakers that would involve the Pacers sending Jonathon Bender and the number 17 Draft Pick for Devan George and either Brian Cook or Slava Medvedenko

I am against this trade for 2 reasons. Number 1, Bender could be used in a package deal to bring in someone else. Number 2, in a draft this deep, the Pacers need to get something more definite for the draft pick.

I think the Pacers should do this with the pick:

Trade the number 17 pick, Fred Jones and Scot Pollard and
to the Miami Heat for Damon Jones and the 29th draft pick.

Use the 29th Draft pick to select Ronny Turiaf.

How this helps us:This trade brings in a big body to back up Jermaine, and we solve the problem of losing perimiter shooting with Reggie retiring (Damon Jones)

How this helps the Heat: They get an up and coming guy like Fred Jones who is a good outside shooter, and showed how well he can play during the suspensions and injuries. He can get a crowd fired up with his thunderous jams. Scot Pollard is a better, bigger backup for Shaq then Michael Doleac.

James Jones should be re-signed, his contract expires, and I think he's a guy that should stay around. He has developed an excellent outside shot, he has proven to be able to step up and hit big game shots. He could have a breakout year this season.

Dale Davis as mentioned earlier, should also be re-signed. Hes a good rebounder who has a couple years left, and deserves to finish his career where it started.

Austin Croshere and Anthony Johnson should be dealt as well. Croshere is an underachiever who's contract is far too large for what he brings. Anthony Johnson is a guy that I like, but I don't think we can win a championship with him as the backup.

Trade Austin Croshere and Anthony Johnson to the Sonics in a sign and trade deal for Antonio Daniels.

How this helps us: We unload Austin's contract, and upgrade at Point Guard by acquiring Daniels. AD is a hardnosed defender who is a good shooter and had a breakout year this year.

How this helps the Sonics They get a guy like Austin who has shown flashes of being good. He's a good outside shooter and plays well when he drives. Anthony Johnson is a good defender who is a reliable backup point guard. Plus they get something for Antonio Daniels instead of nothing with him leaving as a free agent.

I think the lineup should look like this next year, tell me this isn't a VERY tough team to beat:

PG- Jamaal Tinsley/Antonio Daniels
SG- Stephen Jackson/Damon Jones
SF- Ron Artest/James Jones
PF- Jermaine O'Neal/Ronny Turiaf
C- Dale Davis/Jeff Foster

I like this lineup a lot, I see it winning a championship. I love Donnie Walsh, but he is always a little gunshy when it comes to making moves like the ones I proposed. I think the more realistic lineup for next year is this:

PG- Jamaal Tinsley/Anthony Johnson
SG- Stephen Jackson/Fred Jones
SF- Ron Artest/James Jones/Devan George
PF- Jermaine O'Neal/Brian Cook
C- Dale Davis/ Jeff Foster

Not that I don't like that lineup, but It isn't as tasty looking as the one I'm proposing. What do you guys think?

[The GOAT]

Good analysis, there's onoly one thing I don't agree with though: the draft isn't that deep at all.

[Indy]

Good analysis, there's onoly one thing I don't agree with though: the draft isn't that deep at all.

It's not deep as far as franchise players, but as far as role players go, its very very deep. The college class coming out is really very good. Hakim Warrick, Sean May, Wayne Simien, etc. are all going to be good NBA players. None of them will be perrenial all-stars, but they will be good for starters jobs.

[The GOAT]

Meh I don't think the 17 pick will help too much in terms of Center, which is what the Pacers need most.

[Indy]

Meh I don't think the 17 pick will help too much in terms of Center, which is what the Pacers need most.

No, center is not the most glaring hole, backup Power Forward is the most glaring hole. Dale Davis and Jeff Foster will do just fine at the Center position.

But do keep in mind, I am advocating trading the pick, Im just saying we could get a pretty good player in the spot, so we should get something more out of it.

[iKe7in]

1. Seattle would never deal Daniels for an average draft pick, and two barely average bench players. They finally have cap room, and they can now go add some pieces they were missing in a season where they overachieved, but took a huge step forward. Why would they give that up for what is essentially just more cap relief? And unless Indiana planned on paying him around $11 million a year, the salaries don't work.

2. Dale Davis is no longer a capable starting center.

3. Miami would never make that deal, because they have no use for Pollard, and Damon is a far better player than Fred. Oh yeah, and the salaries are nowhere close to each other, so Miami would have to include at least 2-3 more players.

4. No one would even think about taking on a headcase like Artest right now, so don't worry about him being dealt.

[Colin]

No one is taking Choshere. And I don't think Turiaf will be available at 29. He's too good and ahs too much potential to slide that far. Might as well just say you'll get Sean May there. Turiaf could be available at 17.

[maes]

AD already has several teams interested in using him as a starter, with the appropriate pay. Seattle doesn't have a lot of money (seattle pop = 500,000) compared to places like NYC or LA, and the money they do have they'd rather use to get at least 1 talented big man to their roster. James & Evans are really bench players, they were thrust into the starting lineup out of necessity. I think it's better for all parties involved, AD will get real minutes and Seattle needs big men more than any other playoff team.

I don't see Miami trading Damon for Fred personally. Damon's role is to nail the outside shot on kickouts from Shaq or Wade, Fred is a very good outside shooter (.380, 87 made 3PGs) but Damon is among the best in the L (.432, 225 made). There's no comparison. I can only see Damon leaving south beach if somehow Miami ended up wtih Michael Redd or Joe Johnson or someone of similar caliber. Fred is definitely a better finisher, but that's Wade's job, not Damon's. As well, Damon is an excellent passer, at MIL he averaged 5.8 APG in only 24 mpg. Fred seems more of a SG than a PG. The guy most likely to lose his starting job next year is probably EJ, and FJ can't play the SF position at 6' 2". It would probably work for Stephen Jackson, but i don't think Indiana would want to lose him.

You wouldn't trade Bender for D.George + B.Cook? Wow, i would throw in some picks for that deal as a bonus. George is 6' 8" 240lbs and an excellent outside shot. This is a bit of an off-year for him from the 3, and he still shoots more accurately than Stephen Jackson, much less Bender. Cook is young, 6' 9", and #4 in 3 pointers made per 48 minutes. He shares that rare air with guys like Damon Jones, Q-Rich, Ray Allen, and Peja. If that deal is for real, Indy should ink it and sign it before PJ gets to LA and screams bloody murder.

[J@3]

Trade Austin Croshere and Anthony Johnson to the Sonics in a sign and trade deal for Antonio Daniels.

Lol I'd love to see you and Mafia in a sim league together.

[Matt]

i wonder what would happen if Artest was traded to Detroit.

[J@3]

Dunno, I don't think it matters where he goes... I honestly can't see him being part of the NBA within 3 years.

[MaD_hAND1e]

Scot Pollard is a better, bigger backup for Shaq then Michael Doleac.

Not to mention he's more gangsta lookin'. Seriously though... I don't see the Heat trading Damon Jones, he fits well into their system and he's good mates with Shaq.

[Fresh8]

The NBA Draft is filled with potential. The Pacers should stick with their pick and keep their current roster intact without losing any players... they need a year without the Reggie Miller distraction to see how far they get.

[frAn]

the pacers should draft a guy who is like Reggie! hehe

but seriously, all the pacers will be needing is Leadership. I'm not saying that JO is not worth leading the pacers, im just saying that they need a guy with experience. maybe they can get someone from free agency..

[j.23]

can't see the sonics letting daniels go for those 2 people you mentioned

[shadowgrin]

Nice analysis Indy but as mentioned before, I doubt that the other teams are willing to go of the players you mentioned and why give away Bender? I like how he plays.

i wonder what would happen if Artest was traded to Detroit.

I don't think it matters where he goes... I honestly can't see him being part of the NBA within 3 years.

Reporters: Why did you punch Tinsley, your own teamate?!

Artest: I thought he threw something at me. I had already punched him and it was too late when I realized that he was just passing me the ball..