2009-10 NBA Season Preview: Indiana Pacers

Depth Chart:

C: Roy Hibbert/Jeff Foster/Solomon Jones

PF: Troy Murphy/Tyler Hansbrough/Josh McRoberts

SF: Danny Granger/Mike Dunleavy

SG: Brandon Rush/Dahntay Jones/Luther Head

PG: T.J. Ford/Earl Watson/Travis Diener/A.J. Price

Head Coach: Jim O’Brien (3rd year)

2009-2010 Team Salary: $65.8 million

Projected 2010-2011 Team Salary: approximately $62.5 million

Off-Season Grade: Barely Passed

Indiana needed to get more defensive and athletic this offseason. They drafted a proven winner and tough-nosed player in Tyler Hansbrough, but he certainly doesn’t scream athleticism. Adding Dahntay Jones and Earl Watson via free agency gives the Pacers some needed depth in their backcourt especially since they decided not to match the Raptors’ offer to restricted free agent Jarrett Jack. I can’t say the Pacers improved very much this offseason which is why they receive a barely passing grade.

They really didn’t have much room to work though. There was no cap-space flexibility and the Pacers do not have any true assets to trade as they still have a few bad contracts on their roster. At least they finally parted ways with Jamaal Tinsley, but having to cut him, yet still account for his salary under their cap and get nothing in return has to be a loss.

2009-2010 Outlook:

This is the least sexy team in the NBA. Outside of Danny Granger, there isn’t a single player on this roster I would pay to see play. (Well, maybe Travis Diener, but only because I am a Marquette alum.) The Pacers have a serious lack of athleticism and will have to play a slowed-down, half-court game whenever possible. They were one of the worst defensive teams in the league last season, but the additions of Hansbrough, Jones and Watson should help improve that statistic.

What the Pacers really need is a wing man for Granger who has proven to be an All-Star caliber player. Murphy had a very solid season last year but is not going to be the No. 2 option on any playoff contender. Dunleavy is returning from injury and may miss a chunk of the season early on and T.J. Ford has never been a consistent scoring threat. If Brandon Rush can develop into a true scoring option, there is a slim chance Indiana could compete for a playoff spot.

Looking Ahead to the Summer of 2010:

There is really nothing to look ahead to in terms of next offseason. The Pacers will be well above the cap and have little flexibility to sign free agents except for their mid-level. However, the summer of 2011 will be interesting. That is when bloated contracts like Dunleavy, Murphy, Foster, Ford, and Tinsley (FINALLY) will be off the books. With a lot of teams likely focusing on next summer, Indiana might be one of the major players in the 2011 offseason.

2009-10 NBA Power Ranking: 23rd