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8p9s Roundtable: A Very Busy Offseason for the Indiana Pacers

By Ben Gibson

Apr 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs during the second quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 20, 2016; Miami, FL, USA; Charlotte Hornets center Al Jefferson (25) shoots the ball over Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) in game two of the first round of the NBA Playoffs during the second quarter at American Airlines Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) splits through Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) and guard Deron Williams (8) in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Jeff Teague (0) splits through Brooklyn Nets forward Thaddeus Young (30) and guard Deron Williams (8) in the third quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

What trade or signing will have the biggest impact on the Indiana Pacers this season?

Tim Donahue: Each of the three big moves – Jeff Teague, Thad Young, Al Jefferson – have a chance – for both good and bad. However, Teague is the one probably in the most pivotal position. The Pacers should no longer be expected to be a top-tier defensive team. Success will depend on going from a bottom-10 team on offense to a top-10 team. Teague will be tasked with quarterbacking that effort.

Whitney Medworth: I hope that it’s Jeff Teague. The Pacers have wrestled with the idea of having a true point guard for so long that I hope that Jeff Teague pays off. I hope that he’s able to create for Paul George and Myles Turner. It’s hard to say which player with have the biggest impact when it’s only July but I hope it’s the new Hometown Hero.

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Jon Washburn: The Thaddeus Young trade will have the biggest impact for several reasons. First, he’s an above average NBA power forward, and Indiana will benefit from having another playmaker on the floor. Second, it means more minutes for Myles Turner at the center position, which (probably) maximizes his and the team’s potential in terms of ceiling. If Myles is going to become an All-Star, we should know pretty quickly in 2016-17.

Ryan Eggers: I still think it’s going to be the move with Thaddeus Young. I think Jeff Teague is a great player and I’d consider him an upgrade over George Hill for this offense, but the biggest holes in the team last year came from that power forward spot. Trading for Young not only provided the team a true starting power forward, but it allowed Myles Turner to move up to the center spot, which will do wonders for his development as a player. Ian Mahinmi was solid in the frontcourt, but Turner wasn’t getting the right experience playing alongside him as a starter. With Young, he’s free to perform the job he was drafted to do, which is be the center.

Next: Can Ellis and Teague Share the Court?

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