PG: George Hill
SG: Monta Ellis/C.J. Miles/Joseph Young
SF: Paul George/Solomon Hill/Damjan Rudez
PF: ???
C: Roy Hibbert/Ian Mahinmi/Myles Turner
2015 Free Agents
F Chris Copeland (RFA)
C Shayne Whittington (RFA)
PF Lavoy Allen
PF Luis Scola
PG Donald Sloan
SG Rodney Stuckey
PG C.J. Watson
PF David West
What They Did On Draft Night
Drafted Texas center Myles Turner 11th overall
Five years ago, Indiana drafted an uber-talented prospect with some superficial, quantifiable concerns that caused him to be drafted tenth overall, nine picks after he should have been. Now Paul George is one of the best players in the NBA and Indiana looks poised to have similar success with Myles Turner. Roy Hibbert is on the way out by trade or free agency this summer or next, so center is a place of long-term need in Indiana. The Pacers want to play a faster, wide-open system of offense next season, which is something Turner should help them do, especially in comparison to Hibbert. Turner is knocked for his awkward running gait, but he isn't bad running the floor, and compared to slow-as-erosion Hibbert, Turner is Usain Boltian. This is upgrade in agility will also help Indiana's screen game be more effective because Turner, as the roll-man, will be more of a threat to score. Where Turner will really help Indiana open up their offense is with his ability to shoot, drawing the opposing center away from the basket and punishing smaller defenders that switch pick-and-pops by shooting right over them with an essentially unblockable jumper. Turner is a consistently good shooter from mid-range with no reason to suspect that within a year or two, he will be able to make threes. Defensively, Turner can't match peak-Hibbert level, but should be an above-average rim protector with more mobility defending on the perimeter. It may take a year or so for Turner to get acclimated to the league, he is just 19, but the reward of an above-average defensive center with floor spacing ability, is quite nice.
Drafted Oregon combo guard Joseph Young 43rd overall
Indiana's second round pick is more ready to contribute from day one, but obviously with less upside. Joseph Young is a pure-shooting combo guard that can really light up the scoreboard when he gets going. This kind of dynamic shooter/scorer is something that Indiana has lacked off their bench for a long time and should be a nice option when they need some spacing. The Pacers are a perfect landing spot for the 6-2 Young because of George Hill's ability to defend shooting guards, leaving the apposing point guard for Young to guard but without having to use him as a primary playmaker.
What To Do Next?
Trading Roy Hibbert for whatever they can get needs to be Indiana's top priority, not because Hibbert is a bad guy but because if he doesn't fit their current direction, giving him playing time will only serve to take minutes away from players that are their future and stall some the development of cohesiveness. Indiana simply cannot play the style they want with Hibbert on the floor. Another benefit to dealing Hibbert is hopefully creating some cap space to upgrade their roster. Stretching his contract is also another option. A power forward such as Darrell Arthur would be an option to fill that hole. Even though he is a restricted free agent, Tobias Harris could make a devastation interchangeable forward combination with Paul George. Another potential way to fill the hole at power forward is to move Paul George there and sign a wing to move into that spot.
A bonus trade sure to never happen
Hibbert to Boston for a first round pick (or Gerald Wallace)
OR
Hibbert to Portland for Chris Kamen and Gerald Henderson
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
What They Did On Draft Night
Drafted Texas center Myles Turner 11th overall
Five years ago, Indiana drafted an uber-talented prospect with some superficial, quantifiable concerns that caused him to be drafted tenth overall, nine picks after he should have been. Now Paul George is one of the best players in the NBA and Indiana looks poised to have similar success with Myles Turner. Roy Hibbert is on the way out by trade or free agency this summer or next, so center is a place of long-term need in Indiana. The Pacers want to play a faster, wide-open system of offense next season, which is something Turner should help them do, especially in comparison to Hibbert. Turner is knocked for his awkward running gait, but he isn't bad running the floor, and compared to slow-as-erosion Hibbert, Turner is Usain Boltian. This is upgrade in agility will also help Indiana's screen game be more effective because Turner, as the roll-man, will be more of a threat to score. Where Turner will really help Indiana open up their offense is with his ability to shoot, drawing the opposing center away from the basket and punishing smaller defenders that switch pick-and-pops by shooting right over them with an essentially unblockable jumper. Turner is a consistently good shooter from mid-range with no reason to suspect that within a year or two, he will be able to make threes. Defensively, Turner can't match peak-Hibbert level, but should be an above-average rim protector with more mobility defending on the perimeter. It may take a year or so for Turner to get acclimated to the league, he is just 19, but the reward of an above-average defensive center with floor spacing ability, is quite nice.
Drafted Oregon combo guard Joseph Young 43rd overall
Indiana's second round pick is more ready to contribute from day one, but obviously with less upside. Joseph Young is a pure-shooting combo guard that can really light up the scoreboard when he gets going. This kind of dynamic shooter/scorer is something that Indiana has lacked off their bench for a long time and should be a nice option when they need some spacing. The Pacers are a perfect landing spot for the 6-2 Young because of George Hill's ability to defend shooting guards, leaving the apposing point guard for Young to guard but without having to use him as a primary playmaker.
What To Do Next?
Trading Roy Hibbert for whatever they can get needs to be Indiana's top priority, not because Hibbert is a bad guy but because if he doesn't fit their current direction, giving him playing time will only serve to take minutes away from players that are their future and stall some the development of cohesiveness. Indiana simply cannot play the style they want with Hibbert on the floor. Another benefit to dealing Hibbert is hopefully creating some cap space to upgrade their roster. Stretching his contract is also another option. A power forward such as Darrell Arthur would be an option to fill that hole. Even though he is a restricted free agent, Tobias Harris could make a devastation interchangeable forward combination with Paul George. Another potential way to fill the hole at power forward is to move Paul George there and sign a wing to move into that spot.
A bonus trade sure to never happen
Hibbert to Boston for a first round pick (or Gerald Wallace)
OR
Hibbert to Portland for Chris Kamen and Gerald Henderson
Follow me on Twitter @double_tech
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