Would Chris Paul make the Pacers the top team in the east next season?

[Clevelander]

As we all have been seeing in the ECF, Indiana is definitely giving Miami a run for their money! The Pacers are a top defensive team for sure. As much as I like them and want them to make it to the finals this year, I just don't think they have what it takes to beat the Heat. They need a floor general. Chris Paul would be a great fit and is also a free agent this offseason. I honestly don't know what Indiana's cap space is looking like this offseason, so I'm not quite sure if they could afford Paul, but if they do get CP3, do you think they would be the favorites in the east next season?

 

[The Oi]

Hell yeah. He'd be a perfect fit for that team too. Has a history with West and would be surrounded by athletes and guys that could hit the three.

Doubtful he'd go to Indianapolis, but it'd be a win for small-market teams.

 

[Backstage]

A team seconds away from being up 3-0 on the most dominant team this regular season -- currently 2-1 instead -- isn't good enough to beat the Heat.

Edit: I am the stupid. Make that 3-1 and 2-2.

 

[CardiacCavs]

Great points. He would look really good surrounded by the players that Indiana has. He's probably been spoiled by playing in L.A. though and wouldn't see past the fact that he would have to live and play in Indiana for 6-7 months a year. (Should be noted that the clips are pretty damn good in their own right too) It's a shame that teams like Indiana are never really considered by the big time free agents. Often times they are usually a better fit in these places than they are in the high profile destination cities. (re: Dwightmare)


edit:cp3 + david west re-union tour

 

[Ohio]

This actually really makes a lot of sense. They would almost definitely keep Granger in this case and just have him spot up for threes.

CP3
George
Granger
West
Hibbert

WOW that team would be good.

 

[czvo]

This actually really makes a lot of sense. They would almost definitely keep Granger in this case and just have him spot up for threes.

CP3
George
Granger
West
Hibbert

WOW that team would be good.

Also a team that has NO CHANCE of sticking together past next year unless West, Granger, and George were willing to take some serious paycuts.

 

[Ohio]

Also a team that has NO CHANCE of sticking together past next year unless West, Granger, and George were willing to take some serious paycuts.

West expires this summer and is 32...
Granger expires next summer and will be 31...

 

[czvo]

West expires this summer and is 32...
Granger expires next summer and will be 31...

So West won't be coming back then? You listed him in the lineup.

 

[Clevelander]

This actually really makes a lot of sense. They would almost definitely keep Granger in this case and just have him spot up for threes.

CP3
George
Granger
West
Hibbert

WOW that team would be good.

That lineup would be BEAST!

 

[Ohio]

So West won't be coming back then? You listed him in the lineup.

Yes I assume he would take a paycut. Nobody will be offering him $10 mil per anyways.

 

[czvo]

Yes I assume he would take a paycut. Nobody will be offering him $10 mil per anyways.

I know... but really, the point is moot.

The Pacers are on the books for $48 million for next year, before re-signing West. The salary cap, at least this past year, was just over $58 million. So, unless CP3 were willing to sign for significantly less than he can earn elsewhere, its simply not happening.

And that doesn't even go into the extension Paul George will get a year from now, which will be the max at the rate he's going (though, in theory you could just put him in Granger's salary slot).

So as fun as it would be to imagine the Pacers with CP3, it just doesn't work.

 

[Clevelander]

I know... but really, the point is moot.

The Pacers are on the books for $48 million for next year, before re-signing West. The salary cap, at least this past year, was just over $58 million. So, unless CP3 were willing to sign for significantly less than he can earn elsewhere, its simply not happening.

And that doesn't even go into the extension Paul George will get a year from now, which will be the max at the rate he's going (though, in theory you could just put him in Granger's salary slot).

So as fun as it would be to imagine the Pacers with CP3, it just doesn't work.

I'd assume they would let Granger walk and I believe that would be around 13 mil off the books for Indiana. Stephenson is really starting to play well and I can see him taking over the 2 spot and George playing the 3 just like they have been doing.

 

[czvo]

I'd assume they would let Granger walk and I believe that would be around 13 mil off the books for Indiana. Stephenson is really starting to play well and I can see him taking over the 2 spot and George playing the 3 just like they have been doing.

Granger is not a free agent this year. They'd have to trade him for nothing.

 

[Clevelander]

Granger is not a free agent this year. They'd have to trade him for nothing.

Oops my bad! That's right... he's a free agent in 2015. I'm sure they can get something for him. Maybe a nice role player and a first round pick?

 

[Triplethreat]

Cleveland.