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Bradley Wells's avatar

Tom, it is so wonderful that you are writing like this again. I'm sorry that SB Nation dumped Indy Cornrows, but if the outcome has you writing like this more, maybe it was for the best. Congratulations on this new life for Indy Cornrows!

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Tom Lewis's avatar

Hey, thanks, Brad! Kinda hit me at a good time and realized I still got something to say. Appreciate the support!

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Ron's avatar

My take:

Nembhard is a great backup point guard. Not really a 2

When we add wing talent .. the minute crunch is going to catch him.

His value is probably as good as it’s going to get.

TJ is every bit as good as a backup

I’d love to see KP add 2 top 8 picks in this draft.

With his draft capital, cap space and Nembhard … Thies … and Heild

As trade bait .

I’m sure he can get 2 picks .

How about Walker and Whitmore ..

Add someone like Harrison Barns on a 3 year deal .. last year team option.

In the playoffs next year and a force the following 5

With an all star point guard .. I’d prefer veteran backup

Maybe add a Cory Joseph or other vet.

With this line up and the depth you’d have.

You’re gonna be way better rebounding and just the size difference will help the D

Not to mention Walker or Hendricks are stud defenders .

Anyway… that would be my blueprint

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Tom Lewis's avatar

I like the way your thinking. I would also be surprised if they moved off of Nembhard, I think they seem more growth in his future, but I agree his value may be off the bench but if he can develop into the Brogdon type role Boston is enjoying, that would be ideal. But to your general point, those tough decisions on players have to be made to alter the roster.

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Tanel's avatar

Hi Tom

Thanks for doing this!

What do you think would Draymond Green fit with the Pacers? He has quite a personality, but the game is great and he is a winner. I think he will be on his last year with a player option. It feels to me this could be Warriors "Last Dance" since they are paying so much luxury tax, they have to give up somebody (and it won't be Curry and probably not Thomson too).

Pacers has some money and i think they could get him for that high pick and player, because GSW needs to get their payroll down. Paying almost 200 mil tax is just crazy :)

I am not sure Draymond would make a new deal with Pacers , but he could really bring energy and experience and show young guys how to win. But also could disrupt the chemistry, because some youngsters might be afraid of him :)

What do you think? Would you make that risky move? It could pay off very nicely.

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Tom Lewis's avatar

Making the big assumption that some type of deal could be struck with Draymond, I'm all for it. I'm convinced the Pacers need a disruptive force to bring an edge and drive others to level up, which is something Draymond could certainly bring. Obvious risk, things don't work out initially, DG realizes things are not the same as with Warriors approach and he creates havoc. But if he agreed to join team, that is less of a risk. Also seems unlikely.

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Classhicks's avatar

Good forwards are very hard to find in this league and if you are looking for a young and a talented one who will help you to look better at both ends i wish you good luck. I don't even know if OG and Obi are good match for this team... it will be a little gamble. With the draft you can develop your ideal forward but how much time do you think it will take?

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Terry Lowe's avatar

I couldn’t agree more that the last thing we need is 5 more rookies. However I believe it is imperative we get Walker or Whitmore in the draft, preferably Walker. Now we need to trade up at least to a pick between 10 - 15 for a second pick and if we have to give away our 2 remaining first rounders and both 2nd rounders so be it. I would not be opposed to including Duarte in the trade to get that second pick in the 10 - 15 range. As Ron noted below Hendricks would be great, however Chris Murray would be good or if we want to swing for the fences G.G. Would be worth developing. Anyway, I see a starting line up next year of Ty, Benn, Miles, Jordan and Buddy. Second team TJ, Nembhard, Nesmith, Smith, Walker. Jackson and the 2nd high first round pick fighting for minutes within the second team. This leaves Duarte odd man out or trade bait. As the season moves forward I would see Walker moving into the starting lineup for Buddy moving him back to 2nd team. It is a shame Chris had such a poor sophomore season. Being injury prone is something we just can’t afford to have on this team so I don’t really expect him to be with us much longer. We need our modern day Anthony Davis or Dale Davis to give us our stopper and bulk up front. I think we have the rest of the pieces as they mature to make us a great team.

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Tom Lewis's avatar

Been thinking along the same line and in fact writing a bit about a modern Dale Davis impact type player, who in today’s game may resemble a different player from the past. Also agree on Walker and Whitmore as a worst lottery luck baseline.

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Ron's avatar

I really… really don’t want to see another Gorge Hill for Lenard pick again

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Pablo Svirsky's avatar

Sometimes it feels like every player on this roster is either 6'5 or 6'11 (with a little bit of rounding up or down). Could definitely use some 6'8 guys. Though I have always been surprised that Brissett doesn't get more run to address that.

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Tom Lewis's avatar

Yeah, Brissett and Nwora are kinda similar in that spot, but still not the dynamic type players that can impact the defense that is missing.

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Pablo Svirsky's avatar

Right - neither seem like a great starter. I was just surprised Brissett didn't average 15 minutes per game as a backup. I suspect he's the kind of guy who looks great to fans when he's on (dunks, 3's, aggressive defense) but that the coaches must get frustrated with him missing rotations or making other mistakes that we fans don't notice.

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Tom Lewis's avatar

Seems like with the approach team took at outset, they kinda knew what they had in Brissett and wanted to give Nesmith and then Nwora opportunities, which they took advantage of, even if Nesmith was out of position.

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Pablo Svirsky's avatar

Yeah I had a coworker suggest that a few months ago and it seems exactly right. I guess OB's free agency will tell us a lot about what they were thinking.

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