IC Cold Links: NBA Labor Deal Will Help Pacers Immediately And Down The Road

by Tom Lewis on Nov 28, 2011 10:15 AM EST in Indiana Pacers News

The playing field for all 30 NBA teams still isn't level and the Indiana Pacers will have to find ways to creatively compete with the big market teams like the Los Angeles Lakers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks. But the new deal will definitely help the Pacers and thanks to the strong financial position of the current roster, that help can begin immediately.

As details of the NBA's new CBA continue to emerge, the long-term impact of luxury tax benefits and revenue sharing among teams won't begin making an impact for two years when the stiffer penalties kick in starting with the 2013 season.

But with the teams keeping more of the BRI money, along with shorter contracts and smaller raises, the Pacers are in position to manage their roster without being forced to wildly spend on risky talent.

The amnesty clause is also available immediately which may offer the Pacers a chance to add a player or two without having to hit the free agent market. Teams under the cap have first crack at players released under the amnesty clause by submitting bids for the player in a modified waiver system.

The Pacers are among the teams with the best cap situation to take advantage of players up for bid after the amnesty clause sets them free. Plus, the pool of bidders isn't too deep with the Denver Nuggets, Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies, New Jersey Nets, Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets joining the Pacers with varying amounts of cap space to utilize. Of course that depends on which players are amnestied (love NBA verbs) since teams can use the option once on a player signed before July 1, 2011 at any time during the CBA deal.

I really think the Pacers will be conservative with their spending and continue hoarding cap space unless the perfect situation unfolds. With that in mind, they may not use the amnesty clause on James Posey because that extra cap space could make it a challenge to reach the $49 million minimum team payroll and since they would still have to pay Posey they might as well keep him on the cap.

The bottom line, though is that the Pacers are primed and ready to continue building with the flexibility to take advantage of the new CBA provisions without dumping all of their money into one or two players.

After the jump, plenty of links that dig into the CBA and the NBA season which will begin soon!

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Comments

Minor typo. 30 NBA teams not 32.

Anyway, I’m down with the Pacers not using amnesty on Posey and I’m also down with not spending all the cap money. I don’t know what I want them to do yet. Another big man would be priority #1 I think we can all agree.

Pacers motto - "Never Easy"
Pacers = Thugs
So Thugs never have it easy = Thug Life
I love the Pacers. I love the Thug Life

by SpaceCowboy1984 on Nov 28, 2011 10:49 AM EST reply actions

Thanks!

been writing too much about NFL lately

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on Nov 28, 2011 11:58 AM EST up reply actions

there's a lot of rumours of Portland Amnestying BRoy

I have zero interest in adding Brandon Roy whose knees are practically shot. please, I hope Larry will not go after David West or Greg Oden, their injury risks scares the heck out me. We’ve been relatively injury free these past couple of seasons, so props to the Pacers workout, training and medical staffs for the top notch performance, but another huge factor is that we’ve been getting younger and more durable guys rather than like of Jonathan Bender. Some guys are just injury prone, it’s not their fault it’s just their body isn’t able to take the punishment.

by latrell spreewel on Nov 28, 2011 11:29 AM EST reply actions

Agreeing with Wells

I think we should re-explore the Milsap trade. I think he would be the cheapest (don’t have the numbers) out of those guys, and he would fit our style. But of the main 3, I would vote Nene, West, Landry. Would love Nene’s defense. Love West’s offense, and apparently he’s back to 100% whatever that means. I don’t see it making sense signing Landry, but maybe being back home could resurrect his career.

by The_Dawson on Nov 28, 2011 11:56 AM EST reply actions

I like the Milsap idea too

The best part is the Jazz don’t really need a player at any position so we wouldn’t have to give up one. Draft picks should get it done and some cash if they can still do that.

Pacers motto - "Never Easy"
Pacers = Thugs
So Thugs never have it easy = Thug Life
I love the Pacers. I love the Thug Life

by SpaceCowboy1984 on Nov 28, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions

Agree with this, still

I know there are several knocks on Millsap, especially with his size, defense and rebounding (those problems would seem to indicate that he doesn’t really upgrade Hansbrough much). But I’m of the opinion that he’s a much better low-block offensive player than Hansbrough, is stronger, and isn’t a significant downgrade on any of the things Hansbrough does well (hustle, mid-range jumper, etc). And he’s only got two years and like $12 mil left, which would help them in a salary-dump/playing time opening move. That also makes him cheaper than Nene and West, and much better at being a real PF than Landry.

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.

by LukeNukem on Nov 28, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

Nukem!

Man, so good to see the regulars back.

I’d have to agree that Milsap is probably the best bang-for-the-buck potentially available at PF. However, unless a deal comes along that knocks the Pacers off their feet, I’d really like to see how the season begins with Hans and McBob. They are both coming off their first full year of playing time, got a bitter taste in their mouths from losing against the Bulls, and I bet worked their asses this offseason. Is there a young PF rotation with more upside than these two? I’d say see how they play, then try to make a move if they don’t show improvement.

by BenD on Nov 28, 2011 5:26 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Also, there isn't any PF available that will really put the pacers in elite status.

That all comes down to Paul George, IMO. If he blows up, won’t matter if it is Hans, West, or Milsap at PF. They will bring relative production, I’d rather go with what’s already cooking.

by BenD on Nov 28, 2011 5:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

I think getting a PF better than Hans helps in Bird's ultimate plan

That is to be deeper than other teams. I too believe Paul George is the real key now. If all the young players improve and Milsap is in starting, I think this team could make a run at probably the 5th seed (with good health). At that point, anything could happen.

Pacers motto - "Never Easy"
Pacers = Thugs
So Thugs never have it easy = Thug Life
I love the Pacers. I love the Thug Life

by SpaceCowboy1984 on Nov 28, 2011 8:29 PM EST up reply actions

Good point

Millsap isn’t putting us in the eastern conference finals or anything. But i do sort of feel like were rolling the dice on another 8 seed or worse if we don’t at least make smart efforts at continued improvement.

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.

by LukeNukem on Nov 28, 2011 11:25 PM EST up reply actions

The Jazz have a ton of power forwards...Milsap, Jefferson, Kanter, and Favors.

Milsap and Favors are the one’s I would be interested in. Of course they will keep Favors.

by senelcoolidge on Nov 28, 2011 11:32 PM EST up reply actions

Right?

And…I’m not sure why you’re saying this to me. I also want millsap, I just don’t think he makes us a contender

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.

by LukeNukem on Nov 28, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions

Glad to have Basketball back!

Has the league released the schedule yet?

by VERNON HOWELL on Nov 28, 2011 11:59 AM EST via mobile reply actions

not yet

probably have to wait for deal to be finalized.

Indy Cornrows

by Tom Lewis on Nov 28, 2011 1:01 PM EST up reply actions

Funny

This is almost exactly what I said in my last post.

by PatsR18andDONEwithoutCHEATING on Nov 28, 2011 2:30 PM EST reply actions

You are so wise.

Us mere mortals are only looking to draw upon your wisdom, oh mighty one. May you, PatsR18andDONEwithoutCHEATING, the sage of Indy Cornrows, lead us to continued enlightenment.

by BenD on Nov 28, 2011 5:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Really?

I must have been reading something else. Because this post is cogent and intelligible while yours was insane and rambling. Oh well. My mistake.

"You're hitting the wrong person. Don't you know you're hitting Ron Artest?"

Come visit The Fantasy Ninjas. We'd love to hear from you.

by LukeNukem on Nov 28, 2011 11:29 PM EST up reply actions

I agree Space Cowboy, that should be all that needs to get it done. For some weird reason, I feel like Milsap will be our primary target. He’s a guy that could easily take the scoring pressure off of Granger, and give us more toughness inside, which is something we’ve lacked especially when it comes to closing out games. I know the free agency class this year isn’t that great, but looking at the list, there could be some good players that can help the Pacers accomplish what they want to do. Alexis Ajinca’s name sticks out to me. He’s 7’2, and I think he could be a decent backup to Hibbert. Plus, with this amnesty provision, the Pacers sign a couple key guys, they could screw around and shock the world.

by The_Dawson on Nov 28, 2011 2:36 PM EST reply actions

Another big would be nice

I really like McRoberts so I prefer to give him first crack at trying to be a backup center. I think he can handle most center but especially other backups.

Pacers motto - "Never Easy"
Pacers = Thugs
So Thugs never have it easy = Thug Life
I love the Pacers. I love the Thug Life

by SpaceCowboy1984 on Nov 28, 2011 8:25 PM EST up reply actions

Center for McRoberts????

I guess he could be kind of like an athletic Nick Collison… but yikes, I could also see him getting thrown around like a rag doll.

by BenD on Nov 28, 2011 10:28 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Truth

He did get thrown around a lot this past year even by PFs. I like that he brings the athleticism and ball movement and good all around game that most back ups don’t bring. He’d be unique. I’m not saying we shouldn’t get a REAL big man though. I just like Josh being the primary guy on most nights.

Pacers motto - "Never Easy"
Pacers = Thugs
So Thugs never have it easy = Thug Life
I love the Pacers. I love the Thug Life

by SpaceCowboy1984 on Nov 29, 2011 11:54 AM EST up reply actions

Of course...

I don’t expect many teams to use it this year. It can be used any year, so maybe some teams are going to be waiting a year or two . I don’t think the Pacers need to use it this year. Keep Posey and use him as trade bait. Someone will take him in a package.

by The_Dawson on Nov 28, 2011 2:38 PM EST reply actions

by IndyPacers on Nov 29, 2011 4:55 AM EST reply actions

lol

No thanks. Although speaking of the Kings, I wouldn’t mind taking a look at Thompson. He could thrive in our system, and show off his athletic ability.

by The_Dawson on Nov 29, 2011 9:38 AM EST up reply actions