Goff: Grading the Pacers’ offseason
By CHRIS GOFF
ISL Correspondent
Despite being mostly set, there were several uncertainties on the Pacers’ plate heading into the offseason. They weren’t sure about the composition of the front office, didn’t have a lot of money to spend and needed to upgrade the bench.
The one sure thing was that David West would be back.
Sure enough, that looked easy.
But while West was the headliner, Indiana added some key new pieces.
How did they do? What grade would you give the Pacers’ offseason? Review each move, factor in The Curve, and then let us know what you think on Twitter or by commenting below. Please include first name, last initial and hometown for your grade to be posted.
BRINGING BACK BIRD: The Pacers welcomed Larry Bird back on a multi-year deal as president of basketball operations. Owner Herb Simon got him to commit after a season away from the game. The Pacers retained Donnie Walsh as a consultant and Kevin Pritchard remains GM, forming a powerful trio.
THE CURVE: Are Bird’s health problems a thing of the past? Is he in it for the long haul? Will his return push Pritchard to seriously consider jobs with other organizations that offer more authority?
SIGNING DONALD SLOAN: Pass-first point guard and former D-League standout hopes to provide serviceable depth in case of injury.
THE CURVE: Can Sloan defend anyone or make a jump shot?
RE-SIGNED DAVID WEST: The Pacers brought West back on a fair three-year deal (player option in the third year). The contract pays West a total of $36.6 million and keeps him in Indiana through age 35.
THE CURVE: Can West, once considered an injury risk in New Orleans, stay on the court as he grows older? Will his defense be as good as it was last season? Or will it regress to West’s career mean?
SIGNING CHRIS COPELAND: The 29-year-old forward wanted to return to New York but overcame his reservations to jump to archrival Indiana. The 6-8 journeyman brings a strong scoring presence to the Pacers, particularly from 3-point range. Bird gave Copeland a two-year, $6.12 million deal.
THE CURVE: Can Copeland produce with enough consistency to be a valuable weapon off the bench? Can he guard anyone? Does he have the ability to hold his own on the glass when playing power forward?
SIGNING C.J. WATSON: Watson signed for the bi-annual exception ($2.02 million over two years) and is expected to back up George Hill. The former Net has experience on playoff teams.
THE CURVE: Can Watson settle an erratic second unit? Will his shooting make up for a lack of assists? Can he improve his defense?
BRINGING IN NATE MCMILLAN: Indiana made McMillan associate head coach, replacing Brian Shaw, who was hired to succeed George Karl in Denver.
THE CURVE: Can McMillan re-create the successes of his Portland years, where his offenses consistently ranked among the best in the NBA in turnover ratio? Can McMillan relate to the players as well as Shaw did? Will his 12 years as a head coach lend needed X’s-and-O’s acumen to the bench?
DRAFTING SOLOMON HILL: Pritchard, who took the lead on the draft, selected the Arizona senior forward at No. 23 in the first round.
THE CURVE: Did the Pacers reach for Hill or will he provide valuable minutes if called upon? How will Hill’s versatile, jack-of-all-trades game translate to the NBA?
LETTING TYLER HANSBROUGH WALK: The Pacers opted to rescind their $4.1 million qualifying offer to Hansbrough, making him an unrestricted free agent. Hansbrough then signed with the Raptors. He ultimately wanted more playing time. The Pacers decided that Hansbrough wasn’t worth the money in a bench role. This wasn’t necessarily a mutual parting, but it was close.
THE CURVE: Will Hansbrough blossom in Toronto? Can he duplicate his production from stints in the starting lineup? If he does, and West gets hurt, will the Pacers regret their decision to forgo restricted free agency and the right to match any offer?
TRADING FOR SCOLA: Bird acquired Luis Scola from Phoenix in a trade for Miles Plumlee, Gerald Green and one protected future first-round draft pick.
THE CURVE: Can Scola adjust to what will likely be the fewest minutes of his career? Will his game erode any further as he ages? Is he the go-to scorer on the second unit?
Also, D.J. Augustin signed with Toronto and Jeff Pendergraph left for San Antonio. Barring a late trade of Danny Granger, the Pacers are probably down to making one more addition at the veteran’s minimum. With most maneuvering done, we’d give the offseason an A-minus. Very solid moves, with the Hill pick being the only head-scratcher. The Pacers got better.
