[festar35Participant]

 Now here me out on this. Paul George has been absolutely horrible of late, scoring 15ppg on 17 shots at 31fg%. That is over last 5 games and he is the primary offensive weapon for Indiana, there a plays run for him.

On the flipside Lance Stephenson who is having no plays really run for him and just creating his own and coming away with 16ppg on 11 shots at 57 fg%. He has an ability to score the ball by slashing to the rim and now with that added jumper I really feel he is becoming an absolute offensive beast. (Not too mention 10rpg and 6apg over that same period)

My question is say Indiana re-sign or any team for that matter, can he become an effiecient 20ppg guy and lead an offense becoming a bit of a Dwyane Wade 2.0. If Indiana (I hope) or that new team gives him the keys to the offense?

 I really think that he could be a 20-5-5 guy if given the oppurtunity. This IS a bit of a homer call and he has become my favorite player along with PG and hope he keeps developing. 

 

[frogmanParticipant]

 As an Indiana fan you really want Stephenson to be your number one option?  You’ve got such a good team at the moment and everyones playing their role very well, you shouldn’t want to change a thing.

If Stephenson was given his own team – hmm, maybe something like Joe Johnson going to the Atlanta Hawks a few years ago would be best case scenario.  No way would his team be competitive enough to win a championship.

I think he will get his money from the Pacers when it’s his time as David West won’t be commanding that much money given his age.  Him, George and Hibbert should keep Indiana competitive for a long time.

 

 

 

[festar35Participant]

I honestly have no problem with him as the primary guy the offense is run through, it’ll allow George to spend more time being an awesome defensive player and efficient scorer.

[festar35Participant]

I honestly have no problem with him as the primary guy the offense is run through, it’ll allow George to spend more time being an awesome defensive player and efficient scorer.

[frogmanParticipant]

 As an Indiana fan you really want Stephenson to be your number one option?  You’ve got such a good team at the moment and everyones playing their role very well, you shouldn’t want to change a thing.

If Stephenson was given his own team – hmm, maybe something like Joe Johnson going to the Atlanta Hawks a few years ago would be best case scenario.  No way would his team be competitive enough to win a championship.

I think he will get his money from the Pacers when it’s his time as David West won’t be commanding that much money given his age.  Him, George and Hibbert should keep Indiana competitive for a long time.

 

 

 

[abaecp27Participant]

 I believe Lance can be an alpha dog but I don’t know if it’s with the pacers. He has a good role with them. Reminds me of harden when he was on the Thunder, 3rd option with pg handling skills in a sg body while he breaks down anyone guarding him. I do believe someone will offer him over market value, similar to hardens deal at the time but like hardens contract I think it will pay dividends and end up being worth it. I know that lance doesn’t usually go up against the best defenders because usually they will be on PG but at the same time I think he has shown that he deserves a bigger role. Whether he will get a bigger role with the Pacers or some other team next year is anyone’s guess, but I do think he can be an alpha dog.

[festar35Participant]

The reason I think Stephenson stays is Larry Bird will not let him leave and has said that he is the most talented player on the Pacers. In saying that Stephenson is all ready the 2nd option in Indiana as he gets given the ball so much.

I think Indiana will pay him enough to keep him and can see the likes of Mahinmi and Copeland being moved to allow Indiana to spend 10mil a year on him.

I just can’t see the Pacers valuing anyone more than Stephenson, like the Thunder valued Ibaka and Perkins. If they had to I am sure they would move the 8mil that George Hill is owed.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yeah i cant see the Pacers letting him walk either. he loves the team,front office and the city while the organization took a chance on him and its paying off big time. 

he’s the 2nd best player on that team,he’s actually pulling down more rebounds than Hibbert. 

the ONLY way they let him walk, is if the owner doesnt want to be over the luxury tax and ties Birds hand.Cus Lance will demand atleast $10m in the open market. he defends,he passes,he rebounds, he finishes at the rim,and his jumper is coming along. 

[abaecp27Participant]

Valid points you guys make. They can always free up space to sign him but sounds like you guys are leaning towards a market value of at least 10 million. If his floor is 10 million, what would his ceiling price be? To put it in perspective, Iggy’s contract was valued at 12 million per year, Batum at 11.5mil, Derozan at 10mil, Reke at 11mil, Eric Gordon at 14.6mil, and Harden at 16mil. None of these guys made the all-stars prior to signing their deal also (with the exception of Iggy). With that said, I think his market value will be floored at around 11-12 million and he will demand 14 million. So ultimately I see him getting around 12-14 depending on who decides to overpay. Given this scenario, I don’t know if Indiana can afford to pay him at this price, especially in a long term secured contract. 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yeah i could see him getting around the $12-14 range as well.Pacers already gave PG and Hibbertbig money so its going to be tough to resign Lance.

if the Pacers win a title this year,the chances of him leaving are higher. the Owner would end up taking his ring and avoid going over the luxury tax. Now,if they come up short once again, the front office might be more agressive in resigning him and more willing to take on the cap consequences.

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yeah i could see him getting around the $12-14 range as well.Pacers already gave PG and Hibbertbig money so its going to be tough to resign Lance.

if the Pacers win a title this year,the chances of him leaving are higher. the Owner would end up taking his ring and avoid going over the luxury tax. Now,if they come up short once again, the front office might be more agressive in resigning him and more willing to take on the cap consequences.

[abaecp27Participant]

Valid points you guys make. They can always free up space to sign him but sounds like you guys are leaning towards a market value of at least 10 million. If his floor is 10 million, what would his ceiling price be? To put it in perspective, Iggy’s contract was valued at 12 million per year, Batum at 11.5mil, Derozan at 10mil, Reke at 11mil, Eric Gordon at 14.6mil, and Harden at 16mil. None of these guys made the all-stars prior to signing their deal also (with the exception of Iggy). With that said, I think his market value will be floored at around 11-12 million and he will demand 14 million. So ultimately I see him getting around 12-14 depending on who decides to overpay. Given this scenario, I don’t know if Indiana can afford to pay him at this price, especially in a long term secured contract. 

[imAboutDatActionParticipant]

 yeah i cant see the Pacers letting him walk either. he loves the team,front office and the city while the organization took a chance on him and its paying off big time. 

he’s the 2nd best player on that team,he’s actually pulling down more rebounds than Hibbert. 

the ONLY way they let him walk, is if the owner doesnt want to be over the luxury tax and ties Birds hand.Cus Lance will demand atleast $10m in the open market. he defends,he passes,he rebounds, he finishes at the rim,and his jumper is coming along. 

[festar35Participant]

The reason I think Stephenson stays is Larry Bird will not let him leave and has said that he is the most talented player on the Pacers. In saying that Stephenson is all ready the 2nd option in Indiana as he gets given the ball so much.

I think Indiana will pay him enough to keep him and can see the likes of Mahinmi and Copeland being moved to allow Indiana to spend 10mil a year on him.

I just can’t see the Pacers valuing anyone more than Stephenson, like the Thunder valued Ibaka and Perkins. If they had to I am sure they would move the 8mil that George Hill is owed.

[abaecp27Participant]

 I believe Lance can be an alpha dog but I don’t know if it’s with the pacers. He has a good role with them. Reminds me of harden when he was on the Thunder, 3rd option with pg handling skills in a sg body while he breaks down anyone guarding him. I do believe someone will offer him over market value, similar to hardens deal at the time but like hardens contract I think it will pay dividends and end up being worth it. I know that lance doesn’t usually go up against the best defenders because usually they will be on PG but at the same time I think he has shown that he deserves a bigger role. Whether he will get a bigger role with the Pacers or some other team next year is anyone’s guess, but I do think he can be an alpha dog.

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

He’s really turned into a great player in the NBA after falling short of some lofty expectations on the onset of his college and pro career, I didn’t think he would be this good honestly, I saw as a role player at best in the NBA, I was wrong, he’s clearly a good starter and a guy you want to build around(maybe not as you’re # 1 guy but a player you certainly want to play off that #1 guy)

Sometimes Lance reminds me of a poor man’s Wade minus the Elite athletism of course…

  

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

He’s really turned into a great player in the NBA after falling short of some lofty expectations on the onset of his college and pro career, I didn’t think he would be this good honestly, I saw as a role player at best in the NBA, I was wrong, he’s clearly a good starter and a guy you want to build around(maybe not as you’re # 1 guy but a player you certainly want to play off that #1 guy)

Sometimes Lance reminds me of a poor man’s Wade minus the Elite athletism of course…

  

[jwall1Participant]

 He could be the alpha dog number 1 scorer on bad teams, but not on a championship team. His scoring has improved, but he is not necessarily a scorer per se. I think his role now is what best suits him. He is shooting efficiently, and does everything else on the floor. Could he have a 20 ppg season? Sure, but I could not see him scoring more than 16/17 ppg in his current situation.  

[jwall1Participant]

 He could be the alpha dog number 1 scorer on bad teams, but not on a championship team. His scoring has improved, but he is not necessarily a scorer per se. I think his role now is what best suits him. He is shooting efficiently, and does everything else on the floor. Could he have a 20 ppg season? Sure, but I could not see him scoring more than 16/17 ppg in his current situation.  

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

What’s tought about this breakout season is that he’s looking to get paid this offseason and I don’t know if the Pacers can afford him without hitting the high luxury tax, which Bird has said he doesn’t even want to be a cent into the luxury tax.

He’s going to command 12m-14m this offseason and if they let him hit free-agency, someone is going to offer him that, forcing Indiana to match it.

[Tongue-Out-Like-23Participant]

What’s tought about this breakout season is that he’s looking to get paid this offseason and I don’t know if the Pacers can afford him without hitting the high luxury tax, which Bird has said he doesn’t even want to be a cent into the luxury tax.

He’s going to command 12m-14m this offseason and if they let him hit free-agency, someone is going to offer him that, forcing Indiana to match it.

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

While I do think Lance has the type of mentality required to be an alpha dog, I don’t know if he has the game at this point. IF he was the alpha dog on a team right now, that team wouldn’t be very good and I think he’d struggle somewhat.  

Even though he’s the team’s second leading scorer, I don’t think he’s the second best player on the team. I’ve either been to or watched every Pacers game so far this season and Lance does a lot of his damage against the other team’s backups. PG sits out damn near the entire second quarter, while Lance plays (unless he’s in early foul trouble) and gets to dominate the ball and pretty much do what he wants. 

I think Lance is going to be a great player, but he’s benefiting from playing with PG, West and Hibbert. There’s no way in hell he’s worth $12-14 million per season. I’d say he’s worth anywhere from $8-11 million per season. Lance is damn near my favorite player on the Pacers, but he’s just not worth $12-14 million and I have a hard time believing another team will offer him that kind of money. 

 

 

 

 

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

While I do think Lance has the type of mentality required to be an alpha dog, I don’t know if he has the game at this point. IF he was the alpha dog on a team right now, that team wouldn’t be very good and I think he’d struggle somewhat.  

Even though he’s the team’s second leading scorer, I don’t think he’s the second best player on the team. I’ve either been to or watched every Pacers game so far this season and Lance does a lot of his damage against the other team’s backups. PG sits out damn near the entire second quarter, while Lance plays (unless he’s in early foul trouble) and gets to dominate the ball and pretty much do what he wants. 

I think Lance is going to be a great player, but he’s benefiting from playing with PG, West and Hibbert. There’s no way in hell he’s worth $12-14 million per season. I’d say he’s worth anywhere from $8-11 million per season. Lance is damn near my favorite player on the Pacers, but he’s just not worth $12-14 million and I have a hard time believing another team will offer him that kind of money. 

 

 

 

 

[zolaParticipant]

Can they try to do sign and trade with Cleveland before draft night so they can draft Gary Harris? It would give them a great financial flexibility in next four years 

[zolaParticipant]

Can they try to do sign and trade with Cleveland before draft night so they can draft Gary Harris? It would give them a great financial flexibility in next four years 

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