Most prognosticators don't expect the Indiana Pacers to contend for a title this season, and the franchise has been subject to the dreaded "R" word since Ron Artest went ballistic in Auburn Hills. Rebuilding: some teams do it perpetually, others never seem to miss a beat. So how quickly can the Pacers get back on their feet?
The 2010 free agent class could be a goldmine for any teams with extra cash. Players such as Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Paul Pierce, Manu Ginobili, Richard Jefferson, Joe Johnson, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Dirk Nowitzki and Michael Redd could all become free agents after the 2009-2010 season. Oh, and did I mention LeBron James? Yes. Him too.
Not all of these stars will reach the market, but the Pacers would definitely like to be in a position to make some offers to those who do.
The organization is right around the middle of the league in terms of payroll heading into 2009-2010, and they should be comfortably under the luxury tax threshhold this season. Unfortunately, they are virtually handcuffed to most of their current roster next year as well unless T.J. Ford opts out of his contract after this season.
T.J. Ford has a player option for the final year of his contract, and If he does opt out the Pacers could target an above average free agent next season. The Pacers also have options on the contracts of Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert in 2010-2011, so if either one of these players doesn't live up to the high hopes that Larry Bird has for them, the team could clear up some cap space by handing them the pink slip.
Even if the Pacers purge their team of their young talent after this season, they still won't have the cap room to make a bid for any of the top flight free agents. There are a number of excellent players in the projected 2010 free agent class that won't command a $20 million contract, and the team will likely pursue a few decent role players like they did this off-season. However, the franchise is in much better position to make a major overhaul in 2011 when Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant are likely to become free agents.
The only players that are currently under contract for the 2011-2012 season are Pacers that have already proven to be good or haven't yet proven to be bad NBA players: Danny Granger, Brandon Rush, Dahntay Jones, Roy Hibbert, and Tyler Hansbrough. The Pacers also have options on Rush, Hibbert, and Hansbrough, so if cutting the payroll by more than half isn't enough for the franchise to go out and acquire some free agent help, they can always excersise the option on any young talent that hasn't turned out to be talented enough.
The Pacers are really working to develop talent from within the organization and through the draft. Hopefully the team can construct a solid core in the next two seasons without spending a fortune on free agents. But in the summer of 2011, the team will have a great opportunity to add some star power that could potentially return the franchise to glory.
Comments
I cant remember exactly but isnt one of the following CP3/Rondo/Deron WIlliams/Devin Harris a FA in 2011? If rush and hibbert develop into good NBA players and the pacers can pick up a FA PG that could bring them back towards the top of the pack?
Chris Paul and Deron Williams both signed 4 year deals in 2008, so unless they have a player option I think they'll be off the market for awhile. I'm not sure when Devin Harris is a free agent, but he got worked by some British guy in a one-on-one game so I say we sign the British guy instead.
Got something to say?
Examiner.com is looking for writers, photographers, and videographers to join the fastest growing group of local insiders. If you are interested in growing your online rep apply to be an Examiner today!