8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Indiana Pacers 2018-2019 Preseason Primer

By Tony East

INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 30: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Kyle O'Quinn #10 of the Indiana Pacers pose for a photo during fan jam at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 30, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS - SEPTEMBER 30: Domantas Sabonis #11 and Kyle O'Quinn #10 of the Indiana Pacers pose for a photo during fan jam at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 30, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Doug McDermott Indiana Pacers Kyle O'Quinn
INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 30: Kyle O’Quinn #10 and Doug McDermott #20 of the Indiana Pacers stretch during fan jam at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on September 30, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

What does the first half rotation look like?

I specify first half here because that is the only half in which the rotation might actually resemble anything that is going to be used in the regular season. Sorry for beating this drum so much.

Anywhom, we heard lots of talk of a nine-man rotation with the possibility for a tenth guy. It seems like it is obvious who the nine guys are (last years starters plus CoJo, Tyreke, McDermott, and Sabonis) but who is the tenth guy?

In theory, it could be Kyle O’Quinn. He is a talented veteran with many useful five-on-five skills. But he is stuck behind three other big men in the rotation, minutes could be hard to find for him.

It could be Leaf, who is starting in the first game. It makes sense that it would be Leaf, since there is, in theory, a hole at the backup power forward slot. But if Doug McDermott slides up and fills that spot like discussed earlier, then suddenly there’s a spot off the bench at small forward.

Maybe it is Aaron Holiday, with CoJo and Tyreke being the backup wings. It could be any of these three guys. With Thaddeus Young out, it will be tough to say since the rotation will be a but jacked around. But if Thad gets healthy in time for one of these games, it will be important to pay attention to the rotation McMillan uses. Who is the tenth guy?

Cory Joseph Darren Collison Indiana Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Darren Collison #2 and Cory Joseph #6 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a headshot during the Pacers Media Day on September 24, 2018, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

There are also three guys whose minutes/roles in the rotation are worth monitoring: Tyreke Evans, Thaddeus Young, and Cory Joseph. For Thaddeus Young, it is easy to see why. He could see his minutes decrease this season as the team tries to run the Sabonis-Turner pairing more often and as the team pushes to go smaller more frequently. Just how often this happens could be revealed in the preseason.

For Reke and CoJo, it is about their roles. Tyreke could end up playing some backup point guard, which could hurt Joseph’s minutes or change his role. Tyreke could also be the backup small forward, which would have no impact on CoJo besides allowing him to play both guards positions. Keep an eye on the guard rotation, minutes could get a little tight throughout the season.

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