Off season Rumors and Speculation

[Will Galen]

I've been waiting for someone to start an off season rumor thread, since no one has . . .

From a Chad Ford Chat; http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/44099

Karan (Indiana)

Chad, should the Pacers try and package Darren Collison and the 26th pick to move up and a get shooter? Jeremy Lamb would make a lot of sense for them.
Chad Ford (1:31 PM)


I think that's a serious option for them. Several teams in the lottery -- most notably the Hornets (10) and Blazers (11) -- are in the market for a point guard. The Hornets loved Collison when they had him last time. Not sure where the Pacers would go at 11, but Lamb, Rivers, Damian Lillard, Jared Sullinger, Dion Waiters would all be possibilities for them

[Hypnotiq]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Wow DC can get us those kinda picks ?

[BringJackBack]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

I would imagine that DC has that kind of value after his great showing in the Playoffs. Plus you would have to imagine that New Orleans and the Trailblazers would have some real interest in him. Hornets had a lot of success with him in the past, and Portland just desperately needs a point guard. Hopefully we wouldn't even have to give them #26, and hopefully we can actually buy a pick in the late first round as well. You never know now that Kevin Pritchard plays a big role in the team now, and he and Bird are so much more mutual than Morway and Bird.

[D-BONE]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Really hoping we'd opt not to draft Sullinger. I think there are major questions about his motor and his physicality/athleticism at the next level.

[Hypnotiq]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Really hoping we'd opt not to draft Sullinger. I think there are major questions about his motor and his physicality/athleticism at the next level.

Surely he would be better than Tyler though ?

[Speed]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Sullinger is so tough for me to project, sometimes I think he's an Elton Brand clone, sometimes I think he's Marcus Fizer. He really could be a dominant ow post scorer with his asset, but if loses his conditioning (which I think he could do if he has any lapses), he'd struggle.

Right now, I think he might be woefully underated, since he has the width/strength play in the NBA and he has a very valuable skill (low post scoring), but if that doesn't translate since he has struggled with size/length, at times, his rebounging should translate, or usually does from college to pro.

All this said, if you could trade DC and/or 26 and get Sullinger, I wouldn't hesitate. Be nice if you could turn around an move Tyler for something, if that happened.

[Sparhawk]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Out of Lamb, Rivers, Damian Lillard, Dion Waiters - Out of that bunch, I like Lamb.

If the Pacers move up though I'd hope they go after Perry Jones. Having a 6'10 SF would be nice. Just have him hang with Hibbert and he'll reach his potential for sure.

Then try to get another pick or two and get Doron Lamb for a nice scoring punch off the bench, and/or Nicholson a PF/C. Nicholson is just under 6'10, but has a 7'4" wing span!

Or the Pacers can then move the lottery pick for a player they want or to the Rockets along with Hans for the 14 and 16 picks.

Lots of wishful thinking. I have no doubt in my mind though that the Pacers will make some deals.

[PacerFreak31]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Is there going to be adraft party this year? seems to me that at our current position why they would go through the trouble. Unless they do expect us to make some moves.

[OlBlu]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

I've been waiting for someone to start an off season rumor thread, since no one has . . .

From a Chad Ford Chat; http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/44099

Karan (Indiana)

Chad, should the Pacers try and package Darren Collison and the 26th pick to move up and a get shooter? Jeremy Lamb would make a lot of sense for them.
Chad Ford (1:31 PM)


I think that's a serious option for them. Several teams in the lottery -- most notably the Hornets (10) and Blazers (11) -- are in the market for a point guard. The Hornets loved Collison when they had him last time. Not sure where the Pacers would go at 11, but Lamb, Rivers, Damian Lillard, Jared Sullinger, Dion Waiters would all be possibilities for them

Everyone is so ready to dump Collison but where do we get a PG as good or better than he is? I would not trade Collison until that new point guard is on the team.........

[BillS]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Is there going to be adraft party this year? seems to me that at our current position why they would go through the trouble. Unless they do expect us to make some moves.

Draft Party is a way to get people doing something Pacer related during the off season. As a marketing event it can be handled as something of a celebration of a very positive season, rather than the slightly desperate pleas in recent years that fans should get excited over a middle-round pick.

[pacergod2]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Everyone is so ready to dump Collison but where do we get a PG as good or better than he is? I would not trade Collison until that new point guard is on the team.........

Here's my thing with trading Collison. I love the combination of Hill and Collison, because they bring a range of capability. If we are going to keep Hill as our starting PG, Collison is the perfect fit behind him. There will be matchups where one is the predominant PG, while the other ends up playing differently in the rotation based on how we match up with the other team. If we do go out an get a player like Nash or Williams, although highly doubtful, I would look to trade Collison. I think if we have a player like Williams signed, then we won't re-sign Hill (since we will have to rescind his Bird Rights to sign DW) and will look to move Collison for a different combo guard or in combination with Hansborough for an upgrade at the backup PF/C.

I think the duo of Hill and Collison is perfect compliment of players and if we are going a different direction than that, we need to get value for Collison and let Hill walk.

[Trader Joe]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Waiters could be a lot of fun, or he could be a total flame out. Rivers is certainly interesting, not afraid to shoot that's for sure. Would not have to force him into the offense. Is another young player really what the Pacers are looking for though? I guess it makes sense if you feel DC is not going to get any better and you aren't going to make a run for Deron Williams.

[vnzla81]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Why would NO trade for DC when they have JJ and Vasquez?

[pacergod2]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Why would NO trade for DC when they have JJ and Vasquez?

I'm sure they'd prefer someone younger than JJ and if they could send his contract out, they'd be saving a couple more Million. I think they would be interested in dealing with us, but it would be a bigger deal than just DC and 26 for 10. Vasquez and Collison would be complimentary PGs as well.

[CableKC]

Re: Off season Rumors and Speculation

Everyone is so ready to dump Collison but where do we get a PG as good or better than he is? I would not trade Collison until that new point guard is on the team.........

If Lillard is available ( IMHO, he won't be ) and Bird thinks that he's the real deal and ready to contribute....then you make the deal and live with GH/Lillard as the PG rotation for the foreseeable future while signing a 3rd PG option for the short-term. But this is assuming that Lillard is ready to contribute in a short period of time and is legit.

Heck, if needed....see if you can swing Jarrett Jack as well as Ariza and the 10th pick...if you need a quality ComboGuard that can run the offense for the Short Term if Lillard needs a season to settle into his role.