How do we make sure that we do not become the 2020-21 Atlanta Hawks

[Peck]

There are some similarities that are actually kind of eerie.

The three previous seasons they did not make the playoffs
Went from not making the playoffs to E.C. Finals appearance
Both teams led by young dynamic point guard who on the offensive end is a wizard but is beyond horrid on the defensive end
Both teams faced teams in rounds one and two that had major players injured

Atlanta came back the next year and lost in round 1, then did the same the following year and last season they did not even make the playoffs.

How do we go about making sure the Hawks fate isn't our own?

Was just coming back with virtually the same roster the best move? If not where should we have tried to improve?

BTW, I'm not saying any of this is our fate. I'm just asking the question of how do we know it's not?

[festar35]

I mean, the very first thing that comes to mind is Pascal Siakam. The Atlanta Hawks didn't have anyone near that level of talent as a secondary guy.

Secondly, we have substantially more depth on the roster.

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[Cubs231721]

The short answer is, we don't know. That's certainly one possible path this team could take.

The Hawks young players mostly turned out badly. Collins regressed and so did Hunter. The Cam Reddish experiment didn't work. They traded Huerter away for salary reasons.

If the Pacers young players all don't develop, the same thing could happen. But the Pacers have more bites at the apple because they have more young players with potential than that Hawks team did.

The only real way to avoid it is for the Pacers to consolidate now. Trade some of the young players and the remaining picks for a star and run it as long as you can. That strategy would make it more likely that the Pacers get into title contention, but the bottom could completely fall out if it doesn't work.

[Sandman21]

Don't hire Nate McMillan.

[BobbyMac]

There are some similarities that are actually kind of eerie.

The three previous seasons they did not make the playoffs
Went from not making the playoffs to E.C. Finals appearance
Both teams led by young dynamic point guard who on the offensive end is a wizard but is beyond horrid on the defensive end
Both teams faced teams in rounds one and two that had major players injured

Atlanta came back the next year and lost in round 1, then did the same the following year and last season they did not even make the playoffs.

How do we go about making sure the Hawks fate isn't our own?

Was just coming back with virtually the same roster the best move? If not where should we have tried to improve?

BTW, I'm not saying any of this is our fate. I'm just asking the question of how do we know it's not?

Again I"ll exhibite my unbounded optimism. I never look for reasons to be unhappy or to anticipate possible problems. The Pacers are simply a better team than Atlanta was in 2021, also I disagree with your statement that Haliburton's defense is " beyond horrid. There are better defensive guards in the Association but there many worse. You are looking for reasons to be unhappy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-diB65scQU

[McKeyFan]

Turner/Mathurin for Scottie Barnes.

[pogi]

I mean, the very first thing that comes to mind is Pascal Siakam. The Atlanta Hawks didn't have anyone near that level of talent as a secondary guy.

Secondly, we have substantially more depth on the roster.

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But do you think if any of the teams were healthy that we would’ve still beaten them?

Milwaukee, I wouldn’t be shocked either way.

New York…I honestly feel that if they were at full strength, they would’ve beaten us. And it might not have been close.

Boston was the first healthy team we played against, and we were the only team that didn’t win, at least, one game against them in the series.

[owl]

Hard to say. I think trading 2 for 1 is an idea

[festar35]

But do you think if any of the teams were healthy that we would’ve still beaten them?

Milwaukee, I wouldn’t be shocked either way.

New York…I honestly feel that if they were at full strength, they would’ve beaten us. And it might not have been close.

Boston was the first healthy team we played against, and we were the only team that didn’t win, at least, one game against them in the series.

Milwaukee, I think we still beat.

New York, probably not.

Boston, we would've got a game at least off them if we were healthy.

The team isn't complete yet, and I think this season/next off-season is where we consolidate around Haliburton + Siakam.

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[CableKC]

Trade Turner and Sheppard for the best package that we can get.

[PaceBalls]

They need to let Math get some burn to start the season. Get him averaging 20+ ppg and reassess if he is the answer. If not, then they should look to see if they can get some value for him.

[PaceBalls]

Turner/Mathurin for Scottie Barnes.

This is exactly the kind of thing I am thinking. I have Sengun in mind.

[able]

Turner/Mathurin for Scottie Barnes.

I'll refer you to something form your youth; the Andy Williams Show; the answer he gave the cookie bear; no no no not now, not ever, EVER

[McKeyFan]

I'll refer you to something form your youth; the Andy Williams Show; the answer he gave the cookie bear; no no no not now, not ever, EVER

I know, you just can't give up Turner.

[CableKC]

I'll refer you to something form your youth; the Andy Williams Show; the answer he gave the cookie bear; no no no not now, not ever, EVER

Believe me, I have always been a fan of developing young Players and using that as a means to build and bolster a Team around a superstar and a strong Starting linup. But I think that with the emergance of Nembhard, the potential of Nesmith, Mathurin and Sheppard ( at least as quality to solid Bench Players ), the mystery box of Walker and even Furbie; you also have to start looking at look at the Pacers current situation and consider making some consolidation trades. The Pacers are finally in a position to have a very solid 6 to 10 man bench rotation. We just need to solidify the Starting lineup more.

I say that the Pacers should package and trade Turner simply because I don't want to pay and lock him into a 4 year contract that will be way more than I am comfortable paying him. His overall game ( especially his defense ) is regressing as he gets older. I don't see him improving at all and I don't want to pay him what he will likely want from the Pacers for the next 4 years. I'd rather get something for him while Teams think that his shotblocking is still an asset ( it is but not as good as it used to be ) and his rebounding is still garbage.

As for my suggestion to include Sheppard, we have a lot of quality Guard and Wing options but not enough minutes. Nesmith and Mathurin are really good at something. We need a solid wing defender to come in and hassle the opposing wing? Give me Nesmith. We need a guy to come in, get some buckets by attacking the basket? Give me Mathruin. Believe me, I LOVE the no nonsense play of Sheppard. He's not the king of anything, but he's a decent to solid jack of all trades Player. If some opposing GM wanted one of Nesmith, Mathurin or Sheppard along with Turner that nets us the Starter that we really want; then I'd give any of them up. But if it was left up to me? I'd include Sheppard while keeping Nesmith and Mathurin.

We only have 3+ years to build the best roster that we can to contend for a Championship. Tear off the bandaid and move on from Turner while packaging him with one of our young Players to improve our Starting lineup. Even if it means finding a new Starting Center, I don't want to see Turner as a Long Term Pacer unless he's paid $23 mil a year for each of the next 3-4 years ( which is a price range that is well below what he probably thinks he is worth ).