Even if the Indiana Pacers don’t make another move this offseason, it has been undeniably a busy one so far.
The Indiana Pacers made one big trade (and one smaller) and one notable signing so far this offseason, as well making one pick in the NBA draft. All this is after they let Frank Vogel walk away and promoted Nate McMillan.
Needless to say, the offseason has been as chaotic as it has been intriguing.
The starting five will hardly resemble the one that took the court on opening day last season, and likely will have at least two new faces in it when the season tips off in October.
All these moves are exciting but have they actually made this Indiana Pacers team better?
Once again, we gather the 8 Points, 9 Seconds staff for a roundtable to try to make sense of all of this.
Next: The Biggest Move So Far?
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?
Are you worried about Jeff Teague and Monta Ellis trying to share the court together?
Donahue: Yes. I’m not wild about small backcourts. I also worry that they’ll both need the ball to be more effective, and I would prefer more shooting with range from those positions. Defensively, neither has fantastic reputations, but both played in excellent defenses last year (Atlanta 2nd, Pacers 3rd). However, Teague is replacing George Hill – a player Vogel used as a cornerstone to the D – and that’s asking a lot. On the whole, I’d like to see Larry Bird make a move to alter the balance of the roster, and prevent the need to see these two paired for extended minutes.
If they’re both committed to winning and I think they are, they’ll figure out the balance that makes the team the best it can be.
Medworth: Yeah, kind of. Remember when George Hill just became a guy that stood in the corner in 2014 because several guys needed the ball? I’m afraid of someone on the roster turning into that. What’s hard to see right now is not only what the new offense will look like with these guys but also under Coach Nate. So obviously the concern is there with how these guys will mesh when both are so ball dominant.
Washburn: I’m actually not worried much about the offense. Monta played off the ball more than you might expect last season, and Teague’s ability to get to the basket should open things up for Monta as a secondary driver. Defensively, though…I’m already having nightmares.
Eggers: I’m not necessarily happy with it, but it’s not the end of the world. If they’re both committed to winning and I think they are, they’ll figure out the balance that makes the team the best it can be. In an ideal world, their time on the court doesn’t mix that much with Ellis coming off the bench as a 6th man. But as it stands today, I don’t think you can justify any player over Ellis in the starting lineup. They’ll have to figure it out as the season goes on.
Next: Who Should be in the Starting Five?
Who should be the starting five for the Indiana Pacers, and who is the 6th man?
Donahue: The starting five should be Paul George, Myles Turner, Jeff Teague, Thad Young, and 3&D wing acquired by trading either Monta Ellis or Rodney Stuckey. I see two sixth men, as Al Jefferson will be the key big off the bench, and whoever is left between Ellis and Stuckey would be the key backcourt reserve.
Medworth: Here is what I’d like to happen but it’s not what will happen, I’m sure of that. But here it goes anyway. Jeff Teague runs point while CJ and PG share the wings. You have Thad and Myles as your front court. Then Monta gets to run the second unit and then that becomes a killer second unit. That’s my wish. Whatcha think, Nate? Or more, Monta … You good with that?
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Washburn: Unless the Pacers bring in a big, defensive 2-guard that can space the floor, Monta Ellis should start with Jeff Teague in the backcourt. Up front, Paul George and Thaddeus Young can bracket Myles Turner. This lineup will definitely score, but it could also lead to a lot of Myles Turner foul trouble if the guards get too badly beaten. C.J. Miles and Rodney Stuckey should be the first guys off the bench, and each guy provides something different, depending upon what the team needs. Al Jefferson may end up averaging the most bench minutes though, depending upon foul situations in the front court.
Eggers: The starting lineup should probably be Teague-Ellis-George-Young-Turner with … Al Jefferson as the sixth man, I guess? With how sparse the frontcourt rotation is, my guess is that Jefferson will get the most minutes off of the bench. I could see him relieving Myles or working alongside him in a “big” lineup. The only other question is the starting shooting guard spot. Starting C.J. Miles at the 2 again with Ellis coming off of the bench may be worth a look, but it can’t be denied that Ellis has earned the starting job over every guard that’s on the rotation as of now. Maybe that changes sometime this offseason.
Next: The Indiana Pacers current roster is...
The Indiana Pacers current roster is .
Donahue: Interesting, but out of balance. Larry Bird is changing the identity, but it’s probably less about changing ends with speed – as advertised – and more about changing the end that dominates the Pacers’ focus. Bird’s is shaping a team more likely to have offensive punch than defensive dominance. Teague and Jefferson bring different and better offensive skills, and Nate McMillan is a more accomplished offensive coach. However, I’d like to see a little more size and shooting from the wings, and a little less ball dominance. This mostly centers around the Ellis-Stuckey combination.
The time is now to prove to Paul George that he should stay in Indianapolis. And while the roster is interesting, aside from adding Kevin Durant, I feel Larry has really done as much as he could.
Medworth: Interesting. I like the pieces but now we have to wait to see how the pieces fit. Last year’s roster needed an upgrade and Larry did that. The time is now to prove to Paul George that he should stay in Indianapolis. And while the roster is interesting, aside from adding Kevin Durant, I feel Larry has really done as much as he could.
Washburn: Pretty, pretty good.
Eggers: Pretty good. Can’t say they’re really a contender yet, but I’m really excited to see this new roster and new philosophy take off. It’ll be weird seeing a Pacers squad that’s likely not going to be stout defensively, but the offense this season could and should be something to behold. The team is still a piece or two away from being the second best team in the East, and realistically a star away from contending against the Cavaliers, but I think the Pacers are better than they were last year and that’s all you can ask for in this process.
Next: Are the Pacers a Top 5 Team in the East?
On paper, are the Indiana Pacers a top 5 team in the Eastern Conference?
Donahue: I don’t know. I’m not sure what the rest of the East will look like. Last year’s East looked like Cleveland and Toronto separated from the rest in the regular season. However, precious little separated the second through the seventh seed in the playoffs. A different injury here, some better bench play there, and it’s Miami, Charlotte, or even Indiana bowing to Cleveland in the ECF. LeBron will remain the best team in the East — barring a Kevin Durant announcement — but there’s a lot of movement with Atlanta and Boston and possibly Miami. Charlotte should remain good. While the Pacers made good additions, the departures of George Hill and Ian Mahinmi are not small losses. I’d say it’s a coin flip right now as to whether the answer to this question is “Yes” or “No.”
Medworth: Absolutely. A healthier Paul George and a sophomore Myles Turner should get you there alone. And with the new pieces they should absolutely be top 5. Anything less is bad for the idea that Paul George will stay here long term. And let’s be honest, that’s the main focus for the next two years. Be good enough for Paul George to stay.
Washburn: I think they have a good chance to finish in the 3-5 range, depending upon health and Myles Turner’s development.
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Eggers: Let’s break this down. The Cavaliers are obviously the best team, so that leaves everyone else fighting for second. As of today, I’m betting on the Heat (especially if Chris Bosh comes back okay), Raptors, and Celtics to all have a pretty good chance at finishing above the Pacers in the East. The Hawks and Hornets will be contenders as well, though I think the Pacers have an advantage over their rosters. The Knicks may pull something together, but I can’t trust them to perform until they do it. All things considered, I think the Pacers finish somewhere in the 3-5 range, so I’d say they’re a top 5 team as things sit today.