So we are a little over 40 + days away from NBA Free Agency starting and with the Pacers naming their coach yesterday, its time to start looking towards the NBA Draft in June and free agency starting in July. Where will the Pacers brass start looking to improve this team? Will it be with another big man, or a much needed point guard ? The Pacers will have plenty of cap space for 2016-17, BUT the rest of the league will get a lot of cap room as well to lure those free agents.
I have mentioned in previous blogs about where the Pacers need to go in the draft. A must would be a point guard to develop in the 1st round. There isn't much talent this year in the point guard position in this draft and not much will be available for the 20th pick ? Will the Pacers trade up in the draft to get a point guard or role player ? I could see a 20th pick overall and George Hill going to a team in the top 12 for their pick.
A few of the options at point guard in the draft that will be around the 20th pick are Demetrius Jackson (Notre Dame) and Tyler Ulis (Kentucky), Gary Payton II (Oregon St) and Yogi Ferrell (Indiana). Do I think Yogi will go in the 1st round.....highly unlikely. I wouldn't mind seeing a Gary Payton II here in a Pacers uniform. He has the pieces that Bird is looking for in a point guard 6'3 190 lbs. It would be a learning experience where I think he could develop into a quality point guard, but the Pacers will likely have to look at the point guard position in the draft before the free agency comes around.
So as the clock strikes 12:00 AM on July 1st, which free agents will the Pacers go after and try to bring to Indianapolis? Below I will go position by position at quality names the Pacers should go after in free agency to improve this team.
Point Guard - Mike Conley (1st priority), Brandon Jennings (not fond of), Mario Chalmers, do I dare say the trouble maker (Rajon.....nah I wont )
Shooting Guard - Jamal Crawford ( was almost a Pacers 3 years ago during free agency), Courtney Lee (local product of Indianapolis), Eric Gordon (another local product), Lance Stephenson 2.0(Do we bring him back, he was close with new coach Nate McMillan) ???
Small Forward- Kevin Durant....ok ok....Lebron James ?! What team wouldn't want either of these two players. Realistically the Pacers have only a few options at the SF position : Kent Bazemore, Allen Crabbe
Power Forward - Ryan Anderson ( can spread the floor and shoot the 3 well), resign Jordan Hill to small contract, Brandon Bass, David Lee (Bird loved David Lee in the past)
Center - None to target
It's going to be an exciting next forty days and I'm anxious to see who the Pacers take in the draft and in free agency. Thanks for reading and please feel free to comment !
Go Pacers !
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