Pacers May Be Looking Forward

by Tom Lewis on May 12, 2009 6:30 AM EDT in Indiana Pacers News

Point guard and power forward have been the focus of any Indiana Pacers' draft discussions here or elsewhere. With Danny Granger and Brandon Rush manning the wings, the idea of finding a rugged power forward or point guard for the future seems logical.

At least it did.

After reading through Bruno's analysis of the small forward position, I realized the Pacers lack of depth at the wing positions puts the team in position to channel Bill Polian and take the best player available.

With Dunleavy out indefinitely, Daniels unlikely to return, Rush starting at shooting guard and Graham a free agent, the Pacers have a depth issue to address. Though concerns about his right knee caused him to slip more than 10 spots in the 2005 draft, Granger has been close to an iron man, missing just 21 games in four seasons.

I've been thinking that Graham would likely be back, but he is a free agent and the Pacers may not be willing to meet any offer he receives on the open market. While Stevie is a known quantity, letting him go and opening up time for another young wing with more upside may be the best long-term move. A rookie top pick, would actually be replacing Marquis Daniels, so if Graham doesn't return the Pacers will be desperate for wing help until Mike Dunleavy can return.

Most mocks have Gerald Henderson and Terrence Williams available around the 13 slot. A guy like Henderson is intriguing because of his athletic ability. Both Henderson and Williams can make things happen at both ends of the floor but don't have to score to make an impact.

I'd still prefer a strong, active power forward, but with the need at SG/SF there is no sense in reaching to fill a need with a power forward or point guard if the player isn't the right fit.

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It is posts like this that really highlight how far we are from contending. We have no starting point guard worth a damn and no starting power forward either, and yet we still need depth at our wing spots. We are much further away than most fans realize from fielding a legit playoff contender.

by ThirtyOne on May 12, 2009 8:51 AM EDT reply actions

Williams

If my main man Eric Maynor isn’t there at 13 (though he probably should be), I’d have no qualms at all with drafting Terrence Williams. If Danny really does re-commit to defense, a trio of him, Rush, and Williams would be outstanding on defense.

by IndyPacers on May 13, 2009 1:02 AM EDT reply actions

Are you a Louisville fan? I say this for sure, as a Louisville fan, there might not have been a better leader and captain of a team in the nation. T-Will helped my Cards and literally carried them from a shocking elimination at the hands of Siena in the 2nd round as the #1 overall seed. Now he can help us Pacers out and give us some versatility. Imagine him. The only thing he can’t do is shoot. He is big, strong, fast, insane hops and dunker and plays ridiculous D in his opponents. He was hands down the best passing small forward in the nation last year as he was a point guard in high school. I love him IndyPacers. I don’t know about Eric Maynor, i know i would love Ty Lawson too, but as you said, T-Will is a leader, willing to work for the benefit of the team, he changed his shooting form IN MIDSEASON to help the team and himself out. He is quite a character also, a great young man who came in with some baggage to Louisville, but left Louisville one of the all time favorites. He is AWESOME. Can’t wait to see who we draft!!!!!!!!!!

GO PACERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by indikid24 on May 13, 2009 2:53 AM EDT reply actions