by The GM on January 18 at 10:45AM
It's that time of the year when the trade rumors fly and I gave you a look at all the expiring contracts in the NBA this season. Now, I am going to take a look at some possible moves the Indiana Pacers could make before the trade deadline.
The Pacers have gone with what Jim O'Brien is calling "small ball." This is effective in that Indiana scores a lot of points, however, they are also giving up a ton of points. Why? Because the perimeter defense is letting their men drive right by them and getting easy looks at the basket. I suggest Indiana grabs a couple big men that fit the mold of the athletic pace Jim O'Brien is wanting.
Scenario 1: Jeff Foster is one of the hardest working players in the NBA. I would hate to see him go, but with the way the team is being structured, he is just sitting on the bench for most of the game now. In this trade, I have sent Foster and Stephen Graham to the Memphis Grizzlies for Stromile Swift and Hakim Warrick. The trade works monetarily and logically. Warrick and Swift have the athletic ability to play at a faster pace, which the Pacers like. Foster will give Memphis a body off the bench that can play the post positions and he will go after the boards, which Memphis likes. Foster is outrebounding Warrick and Swift put together (8.3 to 6.7 rebounds per game). Graham would come off the books after this season and Foster would be off the books next season for Memphis. Swift and Warrick both have expiring contracts this season. It's a win-win for both parties in my opinion.
Scenario 2: This scenario is a bit more "extravagant", but I think it makes plenty of sense. Indiana would send Jermaine O'Neal to Seattle for Kurt Thomas, Wally Szczerbiak, Damien Wilkins, and a draft pick. Kurt Thomas would come off the books at the end of the season, giving Indiana 8Mil to play with or extend Shawne Williams and Danny Granger. Wally and Wilkins provide more bench scoring for the high-tempo offense Indiana wants to run and Szczerbiak's contract expires after next season. Wilkins is on the cheap for around 3Mil a year for the next three years. The pick could be used to solidify the front court. Seattle will then have a rotation down low of Jermaine O'Neal, Nick Collison, and Chris Wilcox to go along with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Seattle could then take JO and trade him next season as his contract will be expiring.
While I am doubtful any moves will be made, I am always thinking of ways to improve the team. I know that this is more fantasy than reality, but the trades make sense in both worlds.
The Pacers have gone with what Jim O'Brien is calling "small ball." This is effective in that Indiana scores a lot of points, however, they are also giving up a ton of points. Why? Because the perimeter defense is letting their men drive right by them and getting easy looks at the basket. I suggest Indiana grabs a couple big men that fit the mold of the athletic pace Jim O'Brien is wanting.
Scenario 1: Jeff Foster is one of the hardest working players in the NBA. I would hate to see him go, but with the way the team is being structured, he is just sitting on the bench for most of the game now. In this trade, I have sent Foster and Stephen Graham to the Memphis Grizzlies for Stromile Swift and Hakim Warrick. The trade works monetarily and logically. Warrick and Swift have the athletic ability to play at a faster pace, which the Pacers like. Foster will give Memphis a body off the bench that can play the post positions and he will go after the boards, which Memphis likes. Foster is outrebounding Warrick and Swift put together (8.3 to 6.7 rebounds per game). Graham would come off the books after this season and Foster would be off the books next season for Memphis. Swift and Warrick both have expiring contracts this season. It's a win-win for both parties in my opinion.
Scenario 2: This scenario is a bit more "extravagant", but I think it makes plenty of sense. Indiana would send Jermaine O'Neal to Seattle for Kurt Thomas, Wally Szczerbiak, Damien Wilkins, and a draft pick. Kurt Thomas would come off the books at the end of the season, giving Indiana 8Mil to play with or extend Shawne Williams and Danny Granger. Wally and Wilkins provide more bench scoring for the high-tempo offense Indiana wants to run and Szczerbiak's contract expires after next season. Wilkins is on the cheap for around 3Mil a year for the next three years. The pick could be used to solidify the front court. Seattle will then have a rotation down low of Jermaine O'Neal, Nick Collison, and Chris Wilcox to go along with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. Seattle could then take JO and trade him next season as his contract will be expiring.
While I am doubtful any moves will be made, I am always thinking of ways to improve the team. I know that this is more fantasy than reality, but the trades make sense in both worlds.
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