I think the Pacers can live without the "shot creator" backup combo guard, though that certainly would have been nice. But what they can't live without is more post depth. Jeff Pendergraph, as good of a dude as he sounds, isn't going to be enough if/when Foster's back flares up and Roy gets into major foul trouble. I'd say the team needs additional rebounding and interior defensive help, and I doubt I'm alone. Who's left? The amnesty deadline is tomorrow, so some guys may become available. As of THIS MOMENT, here are a few I think the Pacers should look into:
Reggie Evans, UFA-League's best rebounder. Goes after literally ever loose ball (pun totally intended). I think he'd be perfect for what we need. He could play spot minutes at both 4/5 and as long as he wasn't on the floor at the same time as Foster, we wouldn't be in too bad of shape offensively.
Gani Lawal, UFA-Undersized and not a true center. Not much of an away-from-the-basket offensive game. Plenty of hustle, athleticism and hard work (so he'd fit right in). Lawal is like a slightly higher-profile version of Pendergraph. He's got a 7'0 wingspan and if he bulked up a bit he'd be able to guard some centers. Lawal was overshadowed by Derrick Favors in college and he still has plenty of potential (just 23 and very few minutes in the league thus far). He'd be very cheap.
Sam Dalembert, UFA-Doubt he'd sign here, but he's just what we need. Probably a pipe dream, or will cost too much.
Joel Przybilla, UFA-One of the harder-to-spell names in the league. Tough, hustler and elite NBA rebounder and shot blocker. Limited offensively, but not as much as Evans. Known as a locker room leader. Old and injury prone. Przybilla says he's feeling great. If he feels like retiring even richer than he is, the Pacers could afford to overpay him for a bench role. Between him, Foster and Hibbert there'd never be a time there wasn't some crazy, monstrously-huge guy on the court for us. He's been very costly in the past, and I bet he gets good offers from contenders eventually. Surprised he hasn't yet.
Nenad Krstic, Russia-Smooth, classic Euro center who can shoot and pass from the high post. Spotty defense and rebounding. Krstic is not my first choice, and I'm not sure if/how a buy-out would work with his team, nor am I sure he's worth buying out. But he'd be a good backup to Hibbert offensively, and could play alongside a guy like Foster and help stretch defenses like West/Hansbrough do.
Any other thoughts?


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