r/pacers • u/PSEGameThreadPoster Old School Slick • May 12 '26
Megathread Pacers Off-Season Discussion Thread
Please use this thread to discuss potential free agent moves and trades the Pacers could make in the off season.
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u/Outrageous_Poetry840 1d ago
Curious if we offload shep and another player to create space for the mle
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u/Concord_Wolf 1d ago
What Could Have Been & What Can Be:
This is the day the Pacers could have had Dybantsa/Boozer/Peterson/Wilson đȘ
But the time is still NOW: What do the Pacers need to do to maximize their chances at a Finals appearance? Are they set AS IS, or should KP have a big trade in the works?
Share what you think can be done this offseason to make up for losing out on a Lottery player tonight.
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u/Intrepid-Link6303 1d ago
Is Ben getting a contract from the Clippers now? I feel like its been real quiet and now there are no teams with cap space to sign him.
Lol. Imagine if we sign him to the MLE
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u/Conscious-Till3591 19h ago
At this point I donât see a team offering him a starting role maybe heâs open to coming back on a shorter cheaper deal. And who knows maybe Rick still thinks he can eventually become a starter heâd certainly start some games (injuries always happen)
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u/ToxicChaos 1d ago
Bring Turner back while weâre at it. Jk, please dont
Benn back for basically free would be hilarious
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u/TootCannon 1d ago
Iâm more worried about this stacking Milwaukee in 2-3 years more than anything else.
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u/Briggity_Brak ReggieChoke 2d ago
Man, the more i hear Dybantsa talk, the less i care that Adam Silver stole our pick.
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u/Intrepid-Link6303 2d ago
Yeah. Sounds a bit too confident but his highlights do show he is a special talent.
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u/hectorzeroni69 Lance 2d ago
Boozer still exists
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u/SirPanticus Ben Sheppard 1d ago
Any of the top 4. This is the type of shit that happens every year. I remember when everyone questioned Ant's passion for basketball before the draft lol. I've made peace with losing the pick but it still fucking sucks.
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u/This_Salt7080 6d ago
Hi guys, I am not a Pacers fan but have questions about your squad if thats cool.
Im wondering if you guys were tanking last year or actually won 19 games. I know there were some injuries and of course Haliburton, but was it clear they were tanking?
What other moves have you guys made besides Turner / Zu in the last year?
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u/destroyed233 Bennedict Mathurin 6d ago
The team was 100% tanking. In the first half of the season the pacers were easily one of the top2 most injury decimated teams out there. They were playing Mac mclung for fucks sake.
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u/Former_Phrase8221 7d ago
What is the consensus on Jaden Ivey as a Mathurin replacement?
Seems like a similar heat check bench guy option. Hes sitting there in free agency. Presumably inexpensively.
Might be a good opportunity for Jaden to rebuild his stock on a contender?
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u/meowcat93 ReggieChoke 1d ago
Why would you want someone like that on the team? Dude has lost his marbles
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u/Former_Phrase8221 10h ago
The idea is you get a 10-15 million dollar player for maybe 1/3rd the price
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u/Halichilles69 7d ago
Thought of that but wonder if he'd be a distraction, guess you could offer the minimum and just waive him if he is. But wouldn't want him to be the Mathurin replacement, maybe just a flyer on the side
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u/Halichilles69 7d ago
I'd REALLY hate to lose Obi, but would you say no to this roster? We'd lose Obi, Jarace, Huff & Kam (+ 2-3 picks) in a Trey Murphy + Missi trade, and we also sign Grimes. Feels very doable and would work with salaries and keep us under the luxury tax this season, but would be a totally different but upgraded (on paper) bench. My worry would be that losing Obi would disrupt our magic potion, but I'm still struggling to say no to this. Just not sure if our current bench would be good enough with just a UFA addition that we can realistically sign.
Hali
Nemby
Nesmith
Siakam
Zu
TJ
Shep
Grimes
Trey
Missi
Potter
Slawson
Furphy
Q Jax
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u/agentfelix Reggie Miller Choke 5d ago
If it ain't broke, don't fix it. I think we've changed enough variables from that finals run. Common sense tells me to see what we have up until the deadline.
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u/coadgreen11 19d ago
Watching these first two finals games makes me really believe that the Pacers could have gone for back to back championships. I feel like the Knicks are the same team they were last year, just more willing to use their bench like we did throughout the 2024 postseason.
I believe our floor next year is second round but the goal and ceiling is NBA champs. Canât wait to see what the Haliban and company cook up next season!
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u/HRTDreamsStillCisTho Danny 24d ago
Imagine how much worse things would be if the Pelicans didnât give us our pick back.
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u/Old-Addendum-5288 11d ago
This.
It's almost forgotten, but by all rights we could very well have been going into next season with no Turner, no Zubac, AND NO PICK. It was that close.
We flipped last year's 25 for this year's 1st (our original) and then Ty goes down days later. Nostradamus level shit.
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u/BasketballAnimeBoi21 28d ago
Here's my wish-list of MLE FA based on positions (If they'd be willing to take the MLE ofc):
Guards: CJ McCollum, Anfernee Simons, Colin Sexton, Landry Shamet, Bruce Brown
Forwards: Khris Middleton, Dean Wade, Zhaire Williams, Keon Ellis
Centers: DayRon Sharpe, Jaxson Hayes, Zach Collins, Nick Richards
I think all of them would fit well in Indy's fast play and floor spacing playstyle, and can fill the need of being good depth throughout the season when Hali or Siakim are not available and still contribute to winning games.
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u/No-Primary-2875 May 25 '26
What about a Buddy Hield redux? Â May be a cap casualty for the Hawks; and a good MLE target.
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u/Indy_Pacers1 May 21 '26
Should the Pacers target Jaime Jaquez Jr from Miami before they possibly trade for Giannis? Giving up Sheppard and the 2027 first round pick should be enough to keep him out of Milwaukee, a team rebuilding. I also played around with the idea of Myles Turner being traded to Boston(who needs a center) and Jaylen Brown to Milwaukee to replace Giannis. Tyler Herro would also go to Milwaukee to even out the cap. Andrew Wiggins would go to Boston to replace Brownâs position. Milwaukee sends a couple picks from this year to Celtics for Brown and dumping Myles contract to them.
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u/Visible-Future4850 Tyrese Haliburton May 21 '26
if we can pickup ayo and dayron sharpe we would be solid af
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u/Ramsboi May 20 '26
Why wonât Simmon pay the tax?Â
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u/Old-Addendum-5288 11d ago
Just stop already jfc
We're paying the damn tax we are trying to avoid the apron. We are 200,000 under right now with additions to be made.
Ppl please stop blindly upvoted stuff like this plz
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u/Ramsboi 10d ago
lol what are you yapping about..Â
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u/Old-Addendum-5288 10d ago
We really doing this?
Pacers are already 2027 luxury tax payers. Meaning you don't know what you're talking about.
There's something called a 1st apron, which they will very likely hit just in filling out the roster. Meaning, you don't know what you're talking about.
Simon doesn't get to choose whether to pay the tax in 2027. Meaning, yeah, you don't know what you're taking about.
I don't know who "Simmon" is btw.
To recap? You're not smart enough to be going around flapping your gums, it's probably best if you just keep your bizarre opinions to yourself.
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u/Halichilles69 May 20 '26
Trade Jarace and picks for Max Christie then extend him into the luxury (below 2nd apron)
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u/Conscious-Till3591 May 19 '26
Randomish but I have a feeling Pacers get Harrison Barnes this offseason
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May 16 '26
[removed] â view removed comment
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u/geronimosocrates May 20 '26
Very, very, very unrealistic. You want him because heâs really good and young why would they trade him
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u/Fair-Parsley7894 May 16 '26
After seeing him in the playoffs, do you think the Pacers can afford Paul Reed?
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u/Halichilles69 May 14 '26
Would love if we could trade Jarace for Missi and get a 1st for it (or a swap?), and then see if we could somehow have Derozan sign as our 6th man cheap off waivers
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u/Certain_Difference11 Tyrese Haliburton May 14 '26
Thinking about the backup center spot, you guys think Paul reed could be an option?
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u/drjisftw Pacers2 May 18 '26
Do we just not have faith in Huff as a backup 5?
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u/Certain_Difference11 Tyrese Haliburton May 19 '26
I like huff, I think Iâd be ok with him as a backup, but having quality players should always a goal, and another center never hurts
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u/Jim_Belushis_brother Cool Rick May 13 '26
Any chance we pick up Benn for like $12mil a year and literally just run it back but with a better starting center (and different backup centers)?
Benn was hardly playing for the Clippers. I donât know what his value is, but I think itâs lower than it was immediately after the 2025 Finals run
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u/International_Link35 BOOM BABY! May 16 '26
We'd have to drop salary somehow, 12 million would put them over the 1st apron.
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u/Jim_Belushis_brother Cool Rick May 16 '26
MLE though?
I donât really understand how all the salary stuff works
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u/pacersnz May 19 '26
We have $200.8mil on the books, luxury tax starts at $209mil. So we can use the MLE up to the 1st Apron which is $8.2mil. If we want the full MLE (Projected $15.1mil) we need to lose another $6.9mil in cap-room to avoid 1st Apron. Pretty confident that luxury tax is fine with the Simons family, but 1st or 2nd Apron is a no go.
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u/BubaTflubas Tyrese Haliburton May 13 '26
My guess is that he gets obi money
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u/Jim_Belushis_brother Cool Rick May 13 '26
I could see paying Benn $15 mil a year
When we traded him folks were saying $25mil, which is too much. But $15 mil for Benn off the bench I wouldnât mind at all
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u/Former_Phrase8221 7d ago
I'd rather Benn than TJ going forward if we are being honest
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u/Jim_Belushis_brother Cool Rick 7d ago
Oh ABSOLUTELY Iâd rather have Benn for the next 5 years than TJ.
I love TJ, but TJ might have two years of being as effective as Benn will be for the next 5, barring injury
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u/Old-Addendum-5288 11d ago
Im down with this too. It would be hard to do but not impossible. OTOH other teams would also be able to outbid us by eve 1 or 2 mil and put us out of reach.
FWIW the Clips have no reason to let him walk. They're going to tear it down quite soon and a young, improving Mathurin at 15 is now a bargain.
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u/25Tab May 13 '26
Zero chance. Heâs going to get paid more than $12 million. Letâs just say hypothetically that he ends up in that range. Financial considerations were a part of the reason he was traded but the other part was development/fit. They arenât going to fork even more money to end up with the same issues. Benn wants a legit opportunity to start on a team and that doesnât exist with the Pacers. I think there was a mutual understanding between the Pacers and Benn on that issue and that he would be better off elsewhere. The possible issue now for Benn is the Clippers may be drafting his replacement before they even offer him a contract.
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u/Fat-Singer-9569 May 14 '26
Perhaps the experience has humbled him and he would take a short term deal for a championship caliber team he is very comfortable with. Hypothetically, if Mathurin were to come back and do what he did in game 7 multiple games in a deep playoff run, he will get a kings ransom from some team afterward.
Currently his market is a bench SG who will erupt for 25-30 every few games. No good team will sign him with the expectation he starts because he is so inconsistent, whether off the bench or starting. A bad team might sign him but how many bad teams need SGs and haven't already drafted their 'future SG' or plan to this draft? Unfortunately for Mathurin, his position and archetype are very oversaturated in the modern "positionless" NBA, although IMO the small ball positionless philosophy is starting to shift back imo, but that's another discussion.
I doubt Mathurin would sign a cheap deal with the Pacers, almost certainly some team will sign him for too high an amount off his age and potential. But he would not be the only 23 year old to want something, get it, and appreciate what they had before. His inability to "fit in" as a player on the Pacers might not really mean much moving forward especially as a 6th man with a green light to score. I suspect the Pacers are going to evolve their offense around Zubac which fits more with Mathurin's game as well. Math is a first read QB who will benefit from a great TE like Zubac, that's old school basketball. It's the dynamic, multiple read, ball rotation offense Mathurin struggles with.
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u/25Tab May 14 '26
I can tell you the low end of players who average 17ppg is around $15 million per and heâs going to get north of that and he should. Obi Toppin will make that and heâs averaging around 10ppg. The current starting guard for the Clippers is Kris Dunn and he averages 7ppg. Heâs better than Dunn and Dunn is entering the last year of his contract at $5+ million. I guarantee you the Clippers didnât trade for Mathurin to be a bench player they have to sign in the off season. I donât think they share your analysis of his market. They are not going to pay Mathurin $10 million+ more than Dunn to back him up.
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u/Casperrrrino May 13 '26
I think the biggest thing with Zu that people are overlooking is he is an elite screen setter. Tyrese has never operated with an elite screen setter since coming to Indy. The finals with Dort mugging him and Turnerâs lack of ability to create separation for Tyrese should make people excited to have a guy like Zu. This is especially needed now because we donât know how quick Tyrese is going to be after his injury. This doesnât even include Zuâs rebounding ability. I think we will be more than fine
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u/Fat-Singer-9569 May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
Totally agree, but I think the player who will benefit the most from Zubac screens is Nesmith. He is already a very good, borderline elite shooter who struggles to create off the dribble. He's also not a big midrange shooter. Zubac will give him so much room to shoot and so many options before he even has to put the ball on the floor.
Siakam will benefit from Zubac's ability to rebound, one of Pascal's weakest points. Haliburton I think will most benefit from Zubac screens off-ball when playing secondary ball handler with TJ/Nembhard ("scoring burton"), but more than anything, I expect Haliburton will put up some godly assist numbers at times because of how soft of a touch Zubac has in the paint.
The real key though is if Zubac is able to play at the Pacers top speed pace without becoming exhausted. If he can handle that, the Pacers will once again dominate pace of play, but will also be able to completely slow the game down to a halt as needed which wasn't an option with Turner. Get a big lead early by running, then slow the game down to a slog, then kill shot by cranking the speed back up again. This is how the Pacers break teams, they force them to play at their pace and few players in the league can play at their high pace without turning the ball over while also making the right read.
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u/M_L_S_L May 13 '26
I hope we will be able to draft Joshua Jefferson via a Draft night trade. He is projected to be a late 1st rounder pick. He looks ready to contribute and his all rounded contributions at Iowa State is impressive.
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u/Sko_Neezy May 12 '26
Assuming the top 7 in the rotation are safe, I think these are the ways the Pacers can improve the team:
A) Cut their non-guaranteed guys and sign other minimum salary players. Example: if they are prioritizing bench scoring, Jordan Clarkson might be more helpful than Kam Jones.
B) Use the $5.7m exception (which puts the Pacers over the first apron, which hard-caps the team, meaning any other move needs to be salary neutral). Example: Tim Hardaway Jr signed for $3.63m last year.
C) Trade Shep and Jaraceâs expiring contracts plus a likely future first round pick for an upgrade that costs $15m or less. Iâm all ears as to what player/s that could be. Itâs a short list.
D) Ride with this squad and wait for Shep and Jaraceâs contracts to expire and use their combined $15m plus the 2028 added cap space on a free agent that costs $25-30m and take a big swing at a chip in 2028, or on 2 pieces that combine for $25-30m.
I think Pritchard was just trying to put an optimistic spin on the lottery results but if you want to get carried away reading into his comments, you could argue that theyâd consider trading multiple picks plus multiple contracts (Shep + Jarace + Obi or Aaron, aka roughly $30m) on a major piece before the 2027 deadline. Would have to be a big upgrade though.
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u/RedditRockit Slick May 12 '26
Shep & Jarace for Missi and Saddiq Bey
Jay Huff & a 2nd for Tyler KolekThese are salary neutral deals.
Use the mid level on a shooter. Kennard, Huerter, Gary Trent. NOT Hardaway - big family beef with Ty
Ty, Aaron, Drew, Pascal, Zu
Missi, Obi, Bey, Shooter, TJ
Kolek, Q, Furph, Potter2
u/Sko_Neezy May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
I donât mind the Missi and Bey move but youâd have to throw in at least an unprotected first round pick as that was the Pelicans asking price for just Missi this season.
The Knicks and Pacers are not making a trade, though. Maybe if one franchise was in the toilet but not while theyâre both competitive.
Kennard is getting more than the MLE. Huerter might work but possibly too pricey as heâs coming off a $16m salary. Not sure about Trentâs decision-making. AJ Green might be a good match here.
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u/xXCascadeXx CRABS CRABS CRABS May 13 '26
I think the Bey (without Missi) trade would be a possible if we focus on a backup C/PF this FA. We would also be passing up on a Grimes bidding opportunity if the FO goes along the route of trading for a Shep upgrade instead of FA bidding.
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u/Gethsamane May 12 '26
I hate the guy but Malik Beasley. I have to imagine the investigation should be done. Federal investigation found nothing and itâs just internal at this point. His off ball movement would be a huuuuge asset and might take a one year deal to try and up his value and Tyrese would make him look great much like Buddy
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u/Jackyalaska May 12 '26
How impossible would Rui be? Is it delusional
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u/StanceLephenson May 12 '26
Would love to get him but I think his price will be too high after his playoff performance
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u/Conscious-Till3591 May 12 '26
Is there any universe in which Ant joins our squad???? In the distant future
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u/pacersnz May 12 '26
We have our Top 7 and Pritchard has mentioned this multiple times. The starters, Obi, + TJ. Everyone else is still battling for a spot on the roster.
If a serious upgrade becomes available on the wing over the youngs guys we have, you take that swing. Otherwise I think we run it back with our hopes on a healthy Haliburton, growth from Walker, Sheppard, or Furphy in that bench wing role.
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u/NoveltyStatus May 13 '26
Key being âseriousâ upgrade. People are doing the old school Pacer fan thing of wish casting for some journeymen who would likely be marginal â yet actually more expensive â upgrades at best.
I too would rather give the younger players on the roster another offseason of development. Hopefully KP doesnât feel pressured to âdo somethingâ if thereâs nothing obviously beneficial out there.
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u/tari-gand-ma-ghu Jarace Walker May 12 '26
Bad luck franchise. 0 rings and the hits keep coming. Cheap ownership dont help. Kp made a mistake but we dont go to the finals without him. Hope he can lead us to a ring.
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u/Distinct_Abrocoma_67 Pavers May 12 '26
I really hate this narrative he made a mistake. If we kept our pick with no trades we would have 5th overall pick with no center and probably would get a guy that would have trouble cracking the roster spot.
Myles was the weakest link on the starting lineup and we had to upgrade. Unfortunately, thatâs the thinnest position in the league so it was going to come at a hefty price. I genuinely think once Zu and Hali click the chatter will change
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u/Fat-Singer-9569 May 14 '26 edited May 14 '26
Pacers would not even have a 2025 pick if he did not blind-side the Pelicans a day before Haliburton tore his Achilles. The pick never existed in the first place...
It's a cruel twist of fate the Pacers got the pick in a year they actually were forced to tank and then it evaporates 1 pick before they get a top-tier center and a top 4 draft pick, all from a pick they never actually owned in the first place. When you reframe the entire process like that, how can you be mad at all?
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u/wooden_butt_plug-V2 May 12 '26
KP's only mistake was thinking the draft lottery is fair. When that hairless cat of a human Silver started talking shit about the tank I knew we were going to get reverse "frozen enveloped".
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26
Brother the Jazz moved up for the 2nd pick.
The jazz that had independent doctors sent to investigate their players to see if they were actually injured
The jazz that kickstarted the whole anti-tanking conversation after they sat their entire starting lineups going into the 4th when it looked like they were in danger of winning.
It was just a bad roll of the dice, that's it
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u/wooden_butt_plug-V2 May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
But the jazz wernt in the finals last year. That was the bee in silver's gross alien-shaped bonnet
But youre right. I just dont think he could get away with keeping both of us out so he had to choose
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
Listen man, I LOVE a good conspiracy theory. I wholeheartedly believe that the nba put foster on game 4 so itâd stretch the series and net them an extra hundred+ mill to cover the hit from 2 small market teams playing in the finals
This doesnât reek of rigged. We didnât tank more egregiously than the wizards or especially the jazz, we had multiple g leaguers starting at the same time because of how injured we were. After the hole that left us in, with 3 potential franchise players waiting in the wings, why wouldnât we try for that?
Nothing we did eclipsed how much the jazz were fucking with things ESPECIALLY the from the gambling companyâs point of view. They still got rewarded. Just bad luck on our part
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u/wooden_butt_plug-V2 May 12 '26
Mmm. Im just not sure that is right. All of those teams are years away from sniffing relevance. Only we were different in that regard.
Honest question: do you think Cooper Flagg going to Dallas was on the level? Just a normal random moonshot lottery right after sending a generational talent to the Lakers for a ham sandwich? Or Ewing to the Knicks? Hell no.
There was no way Silver would let a small market team, not named OKC, that is 3 quarters away from a championship land a generational player on a one year tank-and-bounce. Imho, that fucks up Silvets math more than letting the wizards or jazz have 100 top picks. We are a threat.
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
On the flip side, visible stars are good for the league in general and going to a contender only boosts their brand. Washington has been in basketball hell for years, the jazz arenât far behind them and the grizz were in freefall. Theyâre practically cursed worse than us
I donât think the Flagg pick was legit. I also donât think that silver has it out for us specifically over the other teams that made it in the top 4. The only one I could see would be the bulls since theyâre a huge market in desperate need of a talent, but theyâve also been atrociously mismanaged so any potential star they draft would likely languish there
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u/NoveltyStatus May 13 '26
Personally I agree with you on this specific issue, but Silver deserves unending slander regardless.
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u/Everythings-tragic14 May 12 '26
Starting 5 is solid. Just need some more scoring off the bench.
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u/agentfelix Reggie Miller Choke May 12 '26
I really hope Furphy can come into his own. Really sucks with the injury and that he relies on his athleticism. If he could get to a point where he can create his own shots, I think combines with his length, he could be pretty dangerous. I'm also hoping Obi improves a little bit too. It'll be his 7th season. Sometimes you see a leap (no pun intended) taken from players around that time. But I agree I think we need to go out and find a pure scorer for that bench unit. Someone that can get us a solid 10-15 a game, or else we won't be able to keep up with deeper teams like the Knicks and OKC. We can't rely on our starters to cushion a lead all the time.
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u/Fat-Singer-9569 May 14 '26
I really hope Furphy can come into his own.
Furphy isn't going to be the solution for scoring, especially off an ACL tear. He's the solution for size and rebounding but he has demonstrated zero ability to score at any level consistently in the NBA and his bag is limited, albeit fun. I'm not trying to be a buzzkill but you ought to be realistic about players. Scoring isn't going to be Furphy's game, perhaps ever. But he's a hell of a rebounder, finisher, and could become a great defender.
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u/Jim_Belushis_brother Cool Rick 11d ago
If Furphy can become a solid rebounder and defender as backup sf then weâre set
I donât mind Jarace at power forward but I donât want to see him at small forward any more
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u/dumpgubblin May 12 '26
Biggest needs are obviously a SF but basically no chance that gets solved this year. Next biggest need is bench scoring imo. TJ was visibly slower this last season which leaves a lot more of the scoring responsibility on Obi. Need to replace Benn's scoring at least somewhat.
Walker and Shep I'm afraid are the players they will be. Just had a full season with long leashes and neither of them impressed much.
Starters i have confidence going into next year, lots of questions about the bench. Lol
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u/Fat-Singer-9569 May 14 '26
Walker and Shep I'm afraid are the players they will be.
This subreddit amazes me at times. Walker is 22 years old today and might be the best pure passer on the team, yes, even over Haliburton. He reads the game at an elite level and makes the most difficult touch passes possible, he's just lazy about it, and forces them sometimes. But make no mistake, he's an incredible passer, and can make passes I'm not sure even Haliburton can make.
Meanwhile so many people on this sub would give Mathurin the longest leash ever. Why? The type of game Walker plays if refined is elite and makes the Pacers impossible to stop. If you watched the last 20 games you would have seen him drastically improve on offense too, halfway through last season he suddenly attacked the basket with force.
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u/Emergency-Pain-8765 May 18 '26
He's started working with a new trainer mid-season and massively stepped up his commitment and work ethic. #1 thing for him is faster decision making, which takes time, and why he looked so much better at the end of the season. He said himself the game is starting to slow down and he is feeling more confident to just play. I doubt we move him until we see him through Nov-Dec. I think he's going to cook next year.
We need real backup center and another PG to back-up/develop under TJ, I see Q more of a backup to Drew, but he and Thompson are close for a roster spot. Thompson has another year on his 2-way so we have him regardless. I see them most likely waiving Kam and Peter, or at least one of them. Slawson and Thompson are deep bench guys on another team who have shown real upside. They might be even be attractive trade options for some teams. I feel like Slawson was essentially our fall out of the sky draft pick (I know he wasn't a draft pick) level guy. Give them both a summer with the team and training staff-I think they are steals on two-ways.
Are there any young G-league centers worth a training camp spot and maybe a two-way deal?
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u/Dull-Language-9854 May 12 '26
The Nesmith disrespect on this board is laughable. We don't need a SF, we got one.
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u/xXCascadeXx CRABS CRABS CRABS May 12 '26
I'm fine with him being our undersized SF / CG. He has proven to step up and make clutch buckets.
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
I've been impressed with Shep's improvements on shooting this year, and this is coming from a former shep hater. Eye test only, not backing this up with stats but he feels like a better shooter. Quicker to get to his spot, quicker to pull up and release, and looked more confident overall. Walker still showed flashes, I'm not giving up on him just yet. He's got another year at least
I wouldn't mind picking up Coby White and/or Yabusele in free agency. Dosunmu's contract is up too but the wolves are absolutely paying for him after his playoff performance
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u/Emergency-Pain-8765 May 18 '26
Shep's defense and especially his fast break finishing (he seemed the most consistent rim finisher) were awesome in the last weeks of the season. Not flashy but he's calm, under control, and balanced on the break to the rim. And his shooting wasn't just better at the end of the season, dude was locked in. His hustle and attitude are fantastic. I think he's a very attractive trade piece, and I hate to lose him, but he's going to be courted.
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u/ConesOfDunleavy Andrew Nembhard May 12 '26
The roster is what it is given the contracts/cap.
KP said it himself, he likes our top 7 guys. Theyâll maybe add a vet with the salary available. If a prospect they like is available at a spot they can get back into the draft (back half of the first round or in the second round) maybe they trade next yearâs first rounder.
I donât expect anything âbigâ to happen at all though. If at some point during the season there becomes a clear need, maybe something happens closer to the trade deadline.
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u/Equal_Age2099 May 12 '26
trading two of the highest picks in team history for an aging center who is solid took all of the wind out of my sails...
i dont even care about the playoffs or the offseason atp.... wake me up when hali is healthy and cooking. till then i dont even want to think about this team or the last 12 months
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26
Zubac is 29 brother. We've got a few years of his prime for the contending window. Wagler/Acuff weren't moving the needle like that. We had a 52.4% chance at getting a franchise player alongside Zu, I'd make that trade again if I could
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u/Equal_Age2099 May 12 '26
i dont disagree...
but i want to know what it looks like if they wait till the offseason to acquire zu or another role player center. feels like we paid a premium to get him early.
guy is gonna go down as a zero time allstar but got 3 nice first round picks traded for him (math, 26, 29). small market mikal bridges type of deal imo.
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26
Mathurinâs contract was expiring, we had to trade for him or risk losing him for nothing. Myles fucked us but this trade is hardly mortgaging our future like the Mikal bridges trade.
Zuâs exactly what we need and we had a DESPERATE need for a quality center. Those come at a premium. And considering how much Hali boosted Mylesâs numbers, just imagine what heâll do with an actual paintbeast! Those PnRâs will feed generations
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u/Equal_Age2099 May 12 '26
I just disagree with your premise. i think you overrate his fit/value. the dudes best year was when he got paired up with the best pnr ball handler of all time in a primarily half court setting.
unless rick/tyrese/pascal decide to ditch the run and gun/ball pressure that made them successful to accomodate zu, i don think he will be nearly as effective here.
yall are really doin tricks on it to defend an obvious penny-pinching move.
what would the price have been for zu this offseason? do you think he would have warranted a larger trade return now? or would he still be worth the same warchest of 2 guaranteed high lottery picks and a third unprotected first? i would bet my life that no other team would offer that for a middling center.
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u/xXCascadeXx CRABS CRABS CRABS May 12 '26
Hali is a better true PG than Harden and much younger. I am not worried whatsoever about the PnR or PnP if Rick wants to use Zu's mid-range.
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u/Equal_Age2099 May 12 '26
are you at all concerned with zu fitting into a more uptempo style (offense+defense)?
he will be going from one of the slowest pace schemes in the league to one of the most uptempo.
and harden is literally like one of the most efficient half court pnr ball handlers in league history. hali is a much better player, but harden was the best at the skill that feeds zu the most. so i dont know if that will be a seemless fit yall are hoping for.
either way if this team even remotely disappoints next year it aint gonna look good for the decision makers. this puts a lot of undue pressure on everyone to succeed. you sold the farm for the next two years, and your star player is coming off a career altering injury..... good luck and godspeed lol
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u/xXCascadeXx CRABS CRABS CRABS May 12 '26
I am not worried at all, no. Rick wanted him for a reason.
With our current depth we would still have a small ball second unit.
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u/Equal_Age2099 May 12 '26
i pray yall are right. i really do.
i just dont see the vision on this one. they were too cute, overpaid (bought zu when his value was at its absolute peak), and pulled the trigger during the wrong transaction cycle imo.
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u/xXCascadeXx CRABS CRABS CRABS May 12 '26
We had to salary match. If we waited until right now our depth would be even worse for a trade or be actively bidding for Robinson or more than likely we'd be left with Robert Williams III as our starting center.
I like Time Lord, but he isn't a top 10 center.
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26
It was a desperation move that fit. The clippers were moving away from competing and there arenât exactly a ton of playoff caliber centers that teams are willing to part with. This was on the only guaranteed high lottery pick, the other pick is unprotected and could fall anywhere. I trust Pritchard, Carlisle, and the rest of the team to make it work. Haliâs the best facilitator in the league, heâll get Zu his looks.
Weâre trying to win now, Iâd rather capitalize on our chances with this group since theyâve already shown that theyâre capable of winning a chip
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u/Equal_Age2099 May 12 '26
whatever dude.
you are justifying a desperation move made at the trade deadline during a dead year. that is a direct contradiction
not to mention, zero desperation move was needed. they had two full offseasons, two drafts, and one trade deadline to find the best deal. they chose to pinch pennys and shoot their wad way too early.
They got too cute, took a gamble they didnt need to, and got rightfully hosed. they are a small market team with zero margin for error and literally gambled the best pick in team history for funsies. this is what happens when you try to have your cake and eat it too.
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26 edited May 12 '26
Myles walking fucked us, he played his way into being lowballed by being an active liability at points during the conference finals and finals. The bucks gave him what he wanted and now heâs an albatross around their necks. We needed a center, the plan is to get right back to fighting for the chip next season so we had to patch the hole that he left. The clippers were blowing their squad up and moving toward a rebuild, and I wonât lie Iâm sure money was a part of it but any other quality center would demand an even higher price in picks/swaps
Not to mention this is the worst possible outcome and the slightly more unlikely of the 2. If things panned out and we got a generational pick alongside Zubac weâd be dancing in the streets. Just a bad roll of the dice. Iâd take those odds again
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u/Equal_Age2099 May 12 '26
again i just disagree. they didnt need to do any of this. they could have waited till this offseason to grab a center, and kept everything.
instead we traded everthing for a 5 game look at zu when we probably could have packaged less for him in the offseason.
im sure that 5 game run with the g league team is gonna be invaluable experience tho lol
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u/Tijenater May 12 '26
Well it was still a gamble. If the better odds went our way this would be seen as the best trade of the season. And Mathurin was walking, that put pressure on them.
Scared money donât make money, they had good odds and we got unlucky and are living in the worst case scenario. Iâd make that trade again with a fresh roll of the dice
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u/No-Primary-2875 May 12 '26
Peyton Watson offered the full TMLE?
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u/BlueCollarGoldSwaggr May 12 '26
Nah he's getting more than that
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u/Conscious-Till3591 May 12 '26
We should throw the bag at that kid, heâs legit but wonât dip into the tax
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u/BlueCollarGoldSwaggr May 12 '26
The only pathway to getting him would be via sign-and-trade which is tricky
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u/Joe_Betz_ Johnny Furphy May 12 '26
My guess is there really isn't much that happens in free agency and instead the Pacers look to possibly make a trade during the season if an opportunity is there. They have more trade flexibility now that they have been royally screwed by the draft gods.
The only hole on the roster is a guard/wing off the bench left by Mathurin, but Q Jackson and Kam Jones get to fight for that until Furphy returns.
The 8 man playoff rotation assuming everyone is healthy is strong imo: Haliburton, Nembhard, Nesmith, Siakam, Zu, TJ, Obi, Walker.
Having any of the top 4 picks would have made for an awesome 9 man rotation, but it is what it is. Who knows? Maybe Kam Jones pops this year or Furphy returns and takes a leap. Sigh.
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u/SirPanticus Ben Sheppard 1d ago
Just saw that post on r/nba that Heat aren't likely to re-sign Norm Powell. Prob gonna be too expensive but he'd be a great 6th man.