by The GM on July 28 at 6:45PM
What to do, what to do? The Indiana Pacers have a couple decisions to make this summer regarding the futures of Jamal Tinsley and Shawne Williams.
Larry Bird has said that he is not sure what he will do with the two troubled players and that buying them out is not an option. Bird stated that a player "should earn their money." To me, that means that Tinsley and Williams will be on the active roster if Indiana can not find another home for them.
I like both players. Tinsley played effectively last season until he was injured and Williams has a ton of potential and I have even said that he could be the Sixth Man of the Year if he gets his head on straight. With that being said, both players have had their share of off-court issues. Tinsley was involved in a few incidents the last two seasons and Williams has had two traffic stops that turned into major issues. If you can't be mature off the court, how can you mature on it?
As far as trades go, I can't imagine a team taking Tinsley with his contract. Although, I did think of a fantasy scenario that would bring Josh Smith to the Pacers. With Smith wanting out of Atlanta, the Pacers could grab him in a sign and trade that would send Tinsley, Troy Murphy, Shawne Williams, and a future 1st round pick for Smith. This trade would effectively get rid of the HUGE contract of Troy Murphy and get rid of the "problems" of Tinsley and Williams. Of course, that is all hypothetical.
Another option on the free agent market would be Emeka Okafor. Again a sign and trade would be needed. Murphy and Williams for Okafor would probably get the deal done.
If buy outs and trades are not a possibility, then I don't see the Pacers just releasing the players. If that was to happen, Indiana would then owe the full contracts. Tinsley is due around 21 million over the next three seasons and Shawne Williams is due around 2 million for this season.
With all the additions to the team, I'll be interested to see what else the organization can do.
Larry Bird has said that he is not sure what he will do with the two troubled players and that buying them out is not an option. Bird stated that a player "should earn their money." To me, that means that Tinsley and Williams will be on the active roster if Indiana can not find another home for them.
I like both players. Tinsley played effectively last season until he was injured and Williams has a ton of potential and I have even said that he could be the Sixth Man of the Year if he gets his head on straight. With that being said, both players have had their share of off-court issues. Tinsley was involved in a few incidents the last two seasons and Williams has had two traffic stops that turned into major issues. If you can't be mature off the court, how can you mature on it?
As far as trades go, I can't imagine a team taking Tinsley with his contract. Although, I did think of a fantasy scenario that would bring Josh Smith to the Pacers. With Smith wanting out of Atlanta, the Pacers could grab him in a sign and trade that would send Tinsley, Troy Murphy, Shawne Williams, and a future 1st round pick for Smith. This trade would effectively get rid of the HUGE contract of Troy Murphy and get rid of the "problems" of Tinsley and Williams. Of course, that is all hypothetical.
Another option on the free agent market would be Emeka Okafor. Again a sign and trade would be needed. Murphy and Williams for Okafor would probably get the deal done.
If buy outs and trades are not a possibility, then I don't see the Pacers just releasing the players. If that was to happen, Indiana would then owe the full contracts. Tinsley is due around 21 million over the next three seasons and Shawne Williams is due around 2 million for this season.
With all the additions to the team, I'll be interested to see what else the organization can do.
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