Indiana Pacers thread

[Indy]

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/ ... _get_done/

That's the most recent article about the subject, but based off of a conversation I had today I'm 90% sure that Jermaine will be a Laker by the draft at the latest. I'm 100% certain JO will be moved this offseason, barring an unforseen problem between us and the Lakers.

What I've heard is that the Pacers and Lakers have already agreed to the principle JO for Odom and Bynum. Now what they are working on is a way to match the salaries. Here are the possibilities:

Notice to everybody. The Lakers WILL not acquire Jermaine without both Bynum and Odom. All I've been reading on Lakers boards are proposals without both of them, but that will not happen. Absolutely zero chance whatsoever.

Jermaine and Jamaal Tinsley for Odom, Bynum, Vladamir Radmanovic and the 19th pick.

This is the trade that makes the most sense. The JO for Bynum/Odom trade is there and then both teams get to unload a player they don't want on the other team.

The other main possibility is swapping out Radman and Jamaal and putting in Murphy for Kwame.

That's what I would prefer. The Pacers roster would look like this:

Tinsley/Greene/Armstrong/McLeod (Draft pick could be used on Crittenton or possibly Acie Law)
Marquis/Dunleavy/Shawne Williams
Granger/Williams/Odom
Odom/Diogu/Kwame
Bynum/Kwame/Harrison

We then have a frontcourt loaded with talent and youth. I drool at the idea of a Granger/Diogu/Bynum front court, and I don't want to have Murphy there clogging up minutes that could be given to those guys. However, thankfully Rick Carlisle is no longer our coach, and O'Brien seems commited to giving younger players playing time.

Other possible, but more unlikely players in the deal from the Pacers are Dunleavy and David Harrison, while the Lakers could also be sending Farmar or even Luke Walton.

So after acquiring Odom and Bynum, with the frontcourt we already have we will definitley be set in that area. The focus then becomes cleaning house in the backcourt. Everybody is available other then Marquis Daniels.

More later.

[Anthony15]

Looks like Indy is gonna be in the rebuilding mode for a few years with that roster, no real star, maybe Odom, to lead them. The trade will finally make Kobe happy and he can stay in LA.

[Sauru]

sounds like a 1 sided trade to me but thats only cause i dont see oneal helping the lakers that much. i do however see the pacers getting better if that deal goes down. infact i would say if that trade happened as it is i would bet the lakers would miss the playoffs and the pacers would get in.

however, i would like to see this trade. anything to see the lakers get worse works for me, plus the pacers got bird so i kinda root for them

[Indy]

The Lakers really have to make a choice though. They either trade the boat for JO (Boat meaning both Bynum and Odom) or they have to move Kobe. Kobe and Jermaine would instantly become the best 1-2 punch in the NBA, so I don't see how you think they'd miss the playoffs.

[maes]

As usual i agree with Sauru, this must be some last ditch attempt to appease Kobe w/ the biggest name available.

Odom for JON sure, but Bynum is only 20 and already producing very high rebounding & blocking per minute productivity. JON is in his 10th year and coming off knee surgery for cartilege problems...we all know what that spells.

Well for LA's sake i hope Bynum is a bust and that JON is much healthier than advertised...but i wouldn't bet dollars on either.

I don't think LA will miss the playoffs provided JON is healthy at the time but they won't get past the usual suspects...Suns, Jazz, Spurs, Dallas...all the high seeds will take LA out in the 1st round. And that's where they've been at already, that's not an improvement...it's not a change that vaults em into competitiveness w/ the big 4 WC high seeds. Rockets also have a pretty good 1-2 punch and they're always 1st round exits.

[---]

If Jermaine isn't healthy for at least 3 seasons, this deal is gonna go down as one of those "What were they thinking!?" trades, even though the Lakers don't have much of a choice. Jermaine could come in and play great, but play 50 games a season. On the other side, Bynum could live up to his potential and become a dominant center while Lamar continues on with incredibly strong all round numbers.

Jermaine is still one of the best in the game, but I wonder with his health how much he can do for this team.

As I said though, LA has been put in a tough spot (by bad management) and it's either Kobe gone or get the best vet available, and that's either Jermaine or KG. They have to make this trade if they want to keep Kobe, and trading Kobe would probably go down as one of those "What were they thinking!?" trades too, so it's a lose-lose situation unless Jermaine shows up to play.

[Sauru]

The Lakers really have to make a choice though. They either trade the boat for JO (Boat meaning both Bynum and Odom) or they have to move Kobe. Kobe and Jermaine would instantly become the best 1-2 punch in the NBA, so I don't see how you think they'd miss the playoffs.

for sure they would be good toether but i dont know about best 1-2 punch. also i think they would miss the playoffs in large part to being in the west. same team in the east and they are good but in the west i think they would be fighting for the 8th seed and just miss it. they would need more help than just those 2 could give. plus if oneal goes down then the lakers would be up a certain creek lacking a paddle

[The X]

I think getting Jermaine O'Neal would be good for Lakers, but I feel like they need to get a third team involved to get themselves another piece....O'Neal & Bryant are good enough for postseason if both healthy (it's not like Odom has been super healthy either), but to get further, they need a better PG (sorry Jordan Farmar, you are a backup)....

I think the Lakers definitely need to keep Walton....if Odom is traded, they might want to hang onto Radmanovic....with Odom out of the way, Radmanovic could become a solid starter at forward or a good 6th man....

let's hope the Lakers can draft well, as there are players where they are picking that can help....

[magius]

good short term solution, jo's interior defense is needed, and his skillset fits better with bryant. not making a trade would infuriate the star player they don't want to trade, so it seems the short term is the only way to go other than pure rebuilding. hopefully bynum is a bust. I think its the best deal they can get presently. at least they got a big back instead of a guard.

[JT_55]

Well, either way, the Lakers aren't going to benefit from this in the long run. With the management is stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place, they can't do much except hope that JO stays heathy and/or hope that they get a future superstar either in the draft or after they trade Kobe (in the event they don't get JO).

[_marsal]

I think actually this would be a steal for the Pacers. And as a Pacers fan, I like it . Why? Well because JO is simply too injury-prone. I don't remember him playing the whole season without injuries. And every year, it seems to get worse. Instead, we bring an all around type of player in Odom and some potential in Bynum (truth be told, he (IMO) won't ever develop in a superstar type of player but I think in 2-3 years he's capable of averaging 17+8+2, which is quite good). That also means more oportunity for Diogu and Harrison (who could be a very good player in this league if learned how not to get 5 fouls in 20sec.)..

I have a question - can there be any transactions while season still unfinished? If not, when are teams allow to trade/sign players?

[ThaLiveKing]

It's true . . .JErmaine is injury prone and him going to the west where all those Big guys are. I could see him getting injured more. . . .If Jermaine wants a Championship. . I think he should stay in the east, cause it's wide open. The West is hard enough aleady, why would he want to go over there execting to win. . Especially with the LAkers

[Tuomas]

Both teams need something so these 'news' sound pretty good to me One of the last chances for Kobe, something finally happening for JO7, and Indiana getting a fresh new start.

[TSquared]

simply put: jermaine actually thinks he can win it with kobe.. that's why this is going to happen.. otherwise, if jermaine doesnt want that deal to go down and he dont wanna be with kobe.. he cud simply be traded and not show up in practices and games just like what alonzo mourning did in toronto.. then the team would be forced to unload him via free agency and that wud pretty much be the scenario if JO didnt wanna be a laker.. but right now i think he's convinced that he can win it with kobe..

[maes]

I just think it's funny that Indiana pulled this same stunt with Portland years ago when they traded Dale Davis for Jermaine O'Neal.

[Sauru]

that was a good trade for indy then, and this trade would also be good for indy. good for them

[Indy]

Mark Stein said that the Lakers are trying to hold on to Odom and offer Luke Walton, Bynum, Brown (expiring) and Farmar.

Remember where you heard about the Luke Walton possibility first.

[Jackal]

This thread depresses me. No Bynum no go.

[Ehsan Gamer]

Bynum will be the next shaq better to keep him

[Jackal]

"Next Shaq"...you made me fart.

[NovU]

if bynum improves at max, he will be more like upgraded version of eddie curry than shaq

[shadowgrin]

"at max" Bynum will be better than cheeseburger Curry, at least Bynum is more aggressive than Curry.

[Laker Socks]

Ugh.

The lakers had all the leverage in dealing with the pacers till Kobe started to whine.

Now, Indiana has all the leverage to rape the lakers.

what were you thinking kobe.

[Indy]

Ugh.

The lakers had all the leverage in dealing with the pacers till Kobe started to whine.

Now, Indiana has all the leverage to rape the lakers.

what were you thinking kobe.

Not really. The Pacers are the ones with the top 5 power forward and top 3 big man defender in the league. We are the ones that have the options to go talk to Seattle and Boston, who have more backcourt players to give us (our real weakness) and higher draft picks. The Lakers were already under a huge amount of pressure to go out and get a top big man because no matter if Kobe opened his mouth or not its obvious that they are running out of time to have him as good as he is.

Personally, if I were Walsh/Bird I'd say that we are going to talk to Boston and Seattle if LA won't give up Bynum/Odom/Farmar/Kwame/19th for JO/Murphy/Harrison. That's the deal I want to see done.

If they won't do that, then these are all better deals then the likely alternatives:

JO and Dunleavy for Gerald Green, Delonte West, Wally Szcerbiak, Theo Ratliff and the #5 pick.

I would even consider a JO for Ridnour, Ray Allen and the 31st pick. That trade gives us a brand new quality backcourt and allows our young frontcourt to thrive without bringing in a guy like Lamar Odom to hog up minutes there.

[shadowgrin]

I like that Seattle idea. I hope that happens. Guess I'm just used to seeing Indiana with great shooters over the years with Reggie and Chuck. Add Ray Allen to that list and booyah. Heck, Ridnour's not bad either.