The Pacer Report
By Marc Roberts
for HOOPSWORLD.com
Jun 19, 2003, 15:06 Email this article
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Tim Duncan's near quadruple-double and David Robinson's heartfelt retirement/father's day/championship celebration speech should mean one thing, and one thing only to all Pacer fans; the much awaited offseason has officially begun. This could very well be the most important three months in the history of the Pacers. The past (Reggie) and future (JO) are both free agents, not to mention the best center in the Eastern Conference (take a second and breath Piston fans, at 6'9" Ben Wallace isn't a true center so please don't send me hate mail). The Pacers also have the draft to deal with, and a huge decision regarding their point guard and coaching positions. Needless to say this will either be the best or worst offseason, as it could shape the Pacers for years to come. So lets dive right in and break it down piece by piece.
The Draft:
Most draft experts feel there are three major players in this draft (Lebron, Darko, and Carmelo) but since the Pacers don't pick until the second I don't think Donnie Walsh and company and putting all their eggs in the draft basket. And lets face it, the Pacers have a hard time with the draft. They drafted Austin Croshere, P. Brezec, Freddie Jones, and Jonathan Bender in the last few years, so maybe we should be glad the Pacers pick 49th. However let us not forget that Antonio Davis was picked late in the second round. The Pacers have been busy looking at all the prospects, and I wouldn't be surprised if Walsh did in fact have something up his sleeve.
Trades:
How much longer will Jamal be the Pacers PG?
Things just never seem to go Jamal Tinsley's way. He was thought to be a top 10 pick. The Pacers choose him 27th. After the start of his rookie year, he was thought to be the rookie of the year. He finished on the all-rookie 2ND Team. Many believed he would be the Pacers point guard of the future, now most Pacer fans hope he is the point guard of someone else's future. The simple fact is that the Pacers have too many talented players to let Jamal Tinsley eat up a starter's share of the minutes. So what do the Pacers do? There has been a lot of talk about trading Al Harrington along with Jamal. Rumors have the pair going to just about everywhere, but nothing substantial yet. Austin Croshere is also rumored to be on the trade block, but since he is due more that $31 million over the next four years he has been a hard sell. Ron Mecer and Jeff Foster have also been rumored to be moving on.
Coaching:
How much longer will Isiah be coaching the Pacers?
I know most of you think that I hate Isiah and hope he falls in a hole and is never heard from again. But he is in the same situation Jamal Tinsley is in. The Pacers are too talented to have a middle of the road coach in charge. While many of the big name "free agent" coaches have been signed (Larry Brown, Paul Silas, Jeff Van Gundy, etc.) there are still some great ones out there; namely Rick Carslie. After Larry Bird left the Pacers he publicly gave his support to Rick, and they should have listened. Rick has coached the Piston to two 50 win season and has won a coach of the year award. Can the Pacers really pass on him again? I hope not.
Free Agency:
Will Payton be willing to take the mid-level exception?
Croshere, Harrington, Mecer, Bender, Artest, Foster, Jones, Brezec, and Tinsley will make a combined $38.5 million dollars next year. That means O'Neal, B Miller, R Miller, Hardaway, Brewer, and Strickland need to split about $16 million if the Pacers wish to stay under the luxury tax, and keep last years team intact. Do the math anyway you want, but it just doesn't come out. The Pacer either need to make a trade or go over the luxury tax line, it's as simple as that. JO is going to command the max. B. Miller is going to need $7-8 million to convince him to wear blue and gold, and that leaves Reggie as the other big-time free agent. It is widely excepted Reggie will stay, but for how much. With all their young talent they can't afford to over pay Reggie, however if the Pacers low-ball him he may head home to L.A. for a ring. As for the other three, all are point guards and it would be nice to keep one or two of them. Another interesting possibility is bringing in Gary Payton for the 4.5 million dollar exception. Most GP fans would think this scenario is absurd but unless he re-signs with the Bucks or forces a sign and trade $4.5 million will likely be the most he is offered. Would the Glove come to Indiana? If he did it would easily make the Pacer the favorites in the East.
Sign the Rally Monkey:
Can the Rally Monkey save the Pacers?
All you SportsCenter fans saw the Rally Monkey being released in front of everyone. Rumor has it he is steamed because of the release and has been working out harder than ever. Still no one has had the guts to sign him. It is even rumored he maybe be willing to switch sports. If this is true the Pacers should jump at this opportunity, even if it means using their entire veterans minimum. I know, all you pessimists are saying to yourselves "$1.2 million for a monkey that jumps up and down and cheers?" but hey we paid $51 million to let Austin Croshere do it.
Predictions and Odds for the offseason:
1.The Pacers draft someone we have never heard of: 3:2
2.That player is on the opening day roster: 20:1
3.The Pacer make a major roster change by way of trade: 3:1
4.Three of the following players will be wearing a different jersey come next season; Croshere, Mercer, Harrington, Bender, Tinsley, Brezec, or Foster. 10:1
5.Isiah Thomas won't be coaching the Pacers next year: 20:1
6.Rick Carslie will be: 40:1 (unless Thomas is fired then 2:1)
7.JO is a Pacer for years to come: Even
8.Brad Miller remains with the Pacers: 2:3
9.Reggie retires a Pacer: 1:100
10.GP retires a Pacer: 100:1
11.The Rally Monkey signs with the Pacers: 150:1
Marc Roberts cover the Pacers for hoopsworld.com, realgm.com and basketballboards.com. He also think the rally monkey is key to the Pacers 2004 title run.
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