Posts tagged ‘NBA’

Now the New Era of the Indiana Pacers OFFICIALLY starts.

After weeks of beating around the bush and avoiding questions because of possible league dealt fines, the Pacers can confirm and welcome in the 7 new faces that will now start to shape this franchise.  The Brawl and off-the-court incident riddled team that have been the Pacers over the last half a dozen or so seasons is now completely over with. Larry Bird and David Morway had goals this summer and so far have done well in trying to accomplish them.  They say they still have moves to make, which would be nice since this team is still far from a championship. I am truly excited for next season to see the makeup for this team.  The franchise has brought in high class guys as well as high class players that all fit different roles for the team and will work well with Jim O’Brien.

The Pacers are not going to have Jamaal Tinsley back next year either.  On local talk show Kravitz & Eddie, Coach O’Brien basically reiterated that he could not depend on Tinsley and that he would not be back with the team next season.  This means the Pacers are prepared to buy out the $21.4 million left on his contract if they cannot find a trading partner, which is unlikely.  The GM Morway said they’re multiple teams interested in Tinsley, but I doubt that.

Another rumor being shot around is that even Mike Dunleavy is being shopped around to see what the team could get.  I have no problem with this because Dunleavy had the best season of his career last year, meaning his trade value is high.  Also, the Pacers just picked up another 3 year contract with TJ Ford and Dunleavy has 3 years left with over $29 million to be paid.  If they can get EQUAL value for him this would be another good trade to open up cap space and take advantage of his rising stock.  The franchise must get equal value for him though becuase this team is not nearly as good without him on the  floor.  If a talented or young (or both) big is available I could see the Pacers biting on the deal since they are deep on the wings but struggle in the front court.

In the Next Episode:

-Around the NBA free agency period.

-Tribute to Jermaine O’Neal and where he ranks among Pacer greats.

-Why this Pacers team is closer to winning a championship than people think, but still has work to do.

Bird says that he is still not done with making changes this offseason.  Most likely this means that Jamaal Tinsley will be traded or bought out.  Reports have already said Tinsley’s contract will at least be bought out by the franchise.  A possible destination for him is the Clippers because of their desperate need of a point guard.  They would have plenty of cap space to sign him after the Pacers buyout his contract.  Or they could do a sign and trade (less likely) and send Tim Thomas to the Pacers.  He would actually be a really good fit.  He would give the Pacers some more length, height and athleticism as well as another player who can shoot the 3.  Plus his contract isn’t terrible (12.5 million over 2 years).  Though that deal is unlikely, it is a possibility.

I also highly doubt the Pacers will extend a qualifying offer to David Harrison after his off the court incidents over the past couple years. 

The Pacers already have 14 roster spots accounted for with Josh McRoberts and Kareem Rush fighting for the last spot.  This means the Pacers most likely will not be very active on the free agency market.  The problem with having Kareem or Josh fill the last spot is that neither one fills the biggest need for the Pacers: low-post scoring.  Yes, McRoberts is a PF with some upside but it doesn’t look like he’ll pan out into much of an NBA player. 

With that being said, here are the free agent possibilities for the Pacers:

Josh Childress-SF-Atlanta-Restricted Free Agent

Emeka Okafor-PF-Charlotte-Restricted Free Agent

Carl Landry-PF-Houston-Restricted Free Agent

Patrick O’Bryant-C-Golden State-Unrestricted Free Agent

Mickael Pietrus-SF-Golden State-Unrestricted Free Agent

David Padgett-C-Louisville-Rookie Free Agent

Hit me up at hosts@pacerscast.com with your thoughts on these or other Free Agent acquisitions as well as the departure of the last reminents of “The Brawl” years in Jamaal Tinsley and David Harrison.  I will be giving you my thoughts on these free agents as well as other possible moves the Pacers could make in the next episode coming up this week.