Indiana Pacers Trade Collison/Jones to Dallas for Ian Mahinmi

The Indiana Pacers and Dallas Mavericks agreed on a trade this afternoon. Point guard Darren Collison and swingman Dahntay Jones were sent to the Dallas Mavericks for French center Ian Mahinmi.

Dallas had to finish a sign and trade with Mahinmi to complete the deal. Iahinmi will receive $16 million over the next for seasons. Collison and Jones are both in the last year of their deals.

Dallas signed Chris Kaman today and made Mahinmi expendable.

Lance Stephenson and Orlando Johnson will be taking Jones' role. Have they impressed enough in Summer League to commit that much to the pair?

We breakdown which team will benefit the most from this trade.

The Indiana Pacers just signed Roy Hibbert to a max deal and needed a backup center. Longtime member of the Pacers, Jeff Foster retired mid-season and left a hole at center. They signed Kyrylo Fesenko as a stopgap, but he never produced at the position. That meant more minutes for Lou Amundson, who was streay and currently an unrestricted free agent.

Ian Mahinmi has had limited success in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs and Dallas Mavericks. He hasn't logged many minutes and averaged a career-best 18.7 minutes per game in 2011-12. He has the potential to be an upgrade over Amundson. The Pacers will know what they have by second season of this deal.

Collison and Jones both lost playing time last season. George Hill overtook the Collison's spot as starting point guard. Jones lost playing time to Lance Stephenson and Leandro Barbosa. They lost playing time because of the emergence of younger talent and from the Barbosa trading deadline deal. They are still very talented and Dallas need their skill-sets.

Dallas will reap the benefits of this trade right away. They lost Jason Kidd and Jason Terry via free agency and Collison and Jones will help immediately. The Mavericks tried to hit a home run by shedding payroll in hopes of signing Deron Williams or Dwight Howard, but those deals never materialized. They must go on without them and surround Dirk Nowitzski with enough talent to make the playoffs.

This deal is a win/win for both teams. The Pacers needed a backup center and Mahinmi's upside and size made him attractive. Dallas needed to fill their roster this season and only had to commit one year to both of these players. They are setting themselves up with enough cap space to go after big names next off-season. Both teams got what they wanted and rid themselves of unneeded talent.

2012-13 NBA Off-season: Free Agent Tracker

If you're looking for NBA free agent information, you want everything, we have everything!

The Miami Heat didn't win the championship with only three guys, they needed to fill out their roster with competent players. The players who sign and appear on the last page of the sports section are just as important.

Players can officially sign with a team starting on July 11th. The listings below are the confirmed contract agreements so far. Bookmark this page, since I will be updating this post daily as the official free agent signings start rolling in.

Check out who your team has signed and other available free agents for the 2012-13 NBA season.

*[Name, 2011-12 Team, contract status]

Solomon Alabi (Toronto) - unsigned
LaVoy Allen (Philadelphia) - re-signed with Philadelphia 76ers, two years/$6 million
Ray Allen (Boston) - signed with Miami Heat, specific terms unknown
Lou Amundson (Indiana) - unsigned
James Anderson (San Antonio) - unsigned
Ryan Anderson (Orlando) - sign and trade with New Orleans Hornets, four years/$34-36 million
Gilbert Arenas (Memphis) - unsigned
Darrell Arthur (Memphis) - re-signed with Memphis Grizzlies, three years/$9 million
Omer Asik (Chicago) - signed with Houston Rockets, three years/$25.1 million
D.J. Augustin (Charlotte) - signed with Indiana Pacers, one year/$3.5 million
Leandro Barbosa (Indiana) - unsigned
Matt Barnes (L.A. Lakers) - unsigned
Brandon Bass (Boston) - re-signed with Boston Celtics, three years/$34.5 million
Tony Battie (Philadelphia) - unsigned
Nicolas Batum (Portland) - re-signed with Portland Trail Blazers, four years/$46.5 million
Jerryd Bayless (Toronto) - signed with Memphis Grizzlies, terms undisclosed
Michael Beasley (Minnesota) - signed with Phoenix Suns, three years/$18 million
Raja Bell (Utah) - unsigned
Marco Bellinelli (New Orleans) - signed with Chicago Bull, terms undisclosed
Mike Bibby (New York) - unsigned
Chauncey Billips (L.A. Clippers) - re-signed with Los Angeles Clippers, one year/$4.3 million
Craig Brackins (Philadelphia) - unsigned
Elton Brand (Philadelphia) - signed with Dallas Mavericks, one year/money undisclosed
Aaron Brooks (Phoenix) - signed with Sacramento Kings, two years/$6.6 million
Derrick Brown (Charlotte) - unsigned
Kwame Brown (Milwaukee) - signed with Philadelphia 76ers, two years/$6 million
Shannon Brown (Phoenix) - re-signed with Phoenix Suns, two years/money undisclosed
Chase Budinger (Houston) - trade with Minnesota Timberwolves, one year/$942k
Rasual Butler (Toronto) - unsigned
Andrew Byrnum (L.A. Lakers) - picked up option, one year/$16.1 million
Marcus Camby (Houston) - sign and trade with New York Knicks, three years/$13.2 million
Brian Cardinal (Dallas) - unsigned
Matt Carroll (Charlotte) - unsigned
Earl Clark (Orlando) - unsigned
Jason Collins (Atlanta) - signed with Boston Celtics, one year/$1.35 million
Brian Cook (Washington) - unsigned
Jamal Crawford (Portland) - signed with Los Angeles Clippers, three years/$15.7 million
Eddy Curry (Miami) - unsigned
Erick Dampier (Atlanta) - unsigned
Marquis Daniels (Boston) - unsigned
Baron Davis (New York) - unsigned
Carlos Delfino (Milwaukee) - unsigned
Boris Diaw (San Antonio) - re-signed with San Antonion Spurs, two years/$9 million
DaSagana Diop (Charlotte) - unsigned
Keyon Dooling (Boston) - unsigned
Goran Dragic (Houston) - signed with Phoenix Suns, four years/$30 million
Tim Duncan (San Antonio) - re-signed with San Antonion Spurs, three years/$36 million
Devin Ebanks (L.A. Lakers) - re-signed with Los Angeles Lakers, one year/$1.4 million
Semih Erden (Cleveland) - signs with Euroleague's Anadolu Efes in Turkey
Jeremy Evans (Utah) - re-signed with Utah Jazz, three years/$5.5 million
Maurice Evans (Washington) - unsigned
Reggie Evans (L.A. Clippers) - sign and trade with Brooklyn Nets, three years/$4.8 million
Jordan Farmar (Brooklyn) - signs with Euroleague's Anadolu Efes in Turkey
Raymond Felton (Portland) - sign and trade with New York Knicks
Rudy Fernandez (Denver) -signed with Eurpean League, Real Madrid C.F.
Kyrylo Fesenko (Indiana) - unsigned
Landry Fields (New York) - signed with Toronto Raptors, three years/$20 million
Derek Fisher (Oklahoma City) - unsigned
Jonny Flynn (Portland) - unsigned
Jeff Foster (Indiana) - retired
Randy Foye (L.A. Clippers) - signed with Utah Jazz, one year/$2.5 million
Sundiata Gaines (Brooklyn) - unsigned
Kevin Garnett (Boston) - re-signed with Boston Celtics, three years/$34 million
Alonzo Gee (Cleveland) - unsigned
Eric Gordon (New Orleans) - re-signed with New Orleans Hornets, four years/$58 million
Aaron Gray (Toronto) - re-signed with Toronto Raptors, two years/money undisclosed
Danny Green (San Antonio) - re-signs with San Antonio Spurs, three years/$12 million
Gerald Green (Brooklyn) - signed with Indiana Pacers, three years/$10 million
Jeff Green (Boston) - re-signed with Boston Celtics, four years/$36 million
Willie Green (Atlanta) - unsigned
Donte Greene (Sacramento) - unsigned
Hamed Haddadi (Memphis) - re-signed with Memphis Grizzlies, terms undisclosed
Luke Harangody (Cleveland) - re-signed with Cleveland Cavaliers, one year/$1.1 million
Manny Harris (Cleveland) - unsigned
Terrel Harris (Miami) - unsigned
Spencer Hawes (Philadelphia) - re-signed with Philadelphia 76ers, two years/$13 million
Brendan Haywood (Dallas) - signed with Charlotte Bobcats, four years/$8.2 million
Roy Hibbert (Indiana) - re-signed with Indiana Pacers, four years/$58 million
J.J. Hickson (Portland) - re-signed with Portland Trail Blazers, one year/money undisclosed
Cory Higgins (Charlotte) - unsigned
George Hill (Indiana) - re-signed with Indiana Pacers, five years/$40 million
Grant Hill (Phoenix) - signed with Los Angeles Clippers, two years/money undisclosed
Jordan Hill (L.A. Lakers) - re-signed with Los Angeles Lakers, two years/$8 million
Kirk Hinrich (Atlanta) - signed with Chicago Bulls, two years/$6 million
Ryan Hollins (Boston) - signed with Los Angeles Clippers, one year/$1.07 million
Josh Howard (Utah) - unsigned
Juwan Howard (Miami) - unsigned
Lester Hudson (Memphis) - unsigned
Kris Humphris (Brooklyn) - re-signed with Brooklyn Nets, two years/$24 million
Ersan Ilyasova (Milwaukee) - re-signed with Milwaukee Bucks, five years/$45 million
Royal Ivey (Oklahoma City) - unsigned
Damion James (Brooklyn) - unsigned
Antawn Jamison (Cleveland) - signed with Los Angeles Lakers, one year/minimum $
Jared Jeffries (New York) - sign and trade with Portland Trail Blazers
Yi Jianlian (Dallas) - unsigned
Armon Johnson (Brooklyn) - unsigned
Chris Johnson (New Orleans) - unsigned
Ivan Johnson (Atlanta) - unsigned
Dahntay Jones (Indiana) - sign and trade with Dallas Mavericks
Chris Kaman (New Orleans) - signed with Dallas Mavericks, one year/$8 million
Jason Kidd (Dallas) - signed with New York Knicks, three years/$9.5 million
Carl Landry (New Orleans) - unsigned
Courtney Lee (Houston) - signed with Boston Celtics, four years/$21.5 million
Rashard Lewis (New Orleans) - signed with Miami Heat, two years/$2.8 million
DeAndre Liggins (Orlando) - unsigned
Jeremy Lin (New York) - signed with Houston Rockets, three years/$25 million
Brook Lopez (Brooklyn) - re-signed with Brooklyn Nets, four years/$61 million
Robin Lopez (Phoenix) - sign and trade with New Orleans Hornets
John Lucas (Chicago) - signed with Toronto Raptors, two years/$3 million
Vernon Macklin (Detroit) - unsigned
Jamaal Magloire (Toronto) - unsigned
Ian Mahinmi (Dallas) - sign and trade with Indiana Pacers, four years, $16 million
Kenyon Martin (L.A. Clippers) - unsigned
Roger Mason (New York) - unsigned
Jason Maxiell (Detroit) - accepts player option, one year/$4 million
O.J. Mayo (Memphis) - signed with Dallas Mavericks, two years/undisclosed money
JaVale McGee (Denver) - re-signed with Denver Nuggets, four years/$44 million
Tracy McGrady (Atlanta) - unsigned
Dominic McGuire (Golden State) - unsigned
Jodie Meeks (Philadelphia) - unsigned
C.J. Miles (Utah) - unsigned
Darko Milicic (Minnesota) - unsigned
Andre Miller (Denver) - re-signed with Denver Nuggets, three years/$14.63 million
Patty Mills (San Antonio) - re-signed with San Antonio Spurs, terms undisclosed
Nazr Muhammed (Oklahoma City) - signed with Chicago Bulls, one year/money undisclosed
Darius Morris (L.A. Lakers) - re-signed with Los Angeles Lakers, two years/$1.4 million
Troy Murphy (L.A. Lakers) - unsigned
Eduardo Najera (Charlotte) - unsigned
Steve Nash (Phoenix) - sign and trade with Los Angeles Lakers, three years/$27 million
Jameer Nelson (Orlando) - re-signed with Orlando Magic, terms unknown
Steve Novak (New York) - re-signed with New York Knicks, four years/$15 million
Jermaine O'Neal (Indiana) - unsigned
Daniel Orton (Orlando) - unsigned
Jannero Pargo (Atlanta) - unsigned
Anthony Parker (Cleveland) - retired
Sasha Pavlovic (Boston) - unsigned
Mickael Pietrus (Boston) - unsigned
A.J. Price (Indiana) - signed with Washington Wizards, one year/money undisclosed
Ronnie Price (Phoenix) - signed with Portland Trail Blazers, one year/$1.15 million
Joel Przybilla (Portland) - unsigned
Vladamir Radmanovic (Atlanta) - signed with Chicago Bulls, one years/money undisclosed
Anthony Randolph (Minnesota) - signed with Denver Nuggets, three years/$6 million
Michael Redd (Phoenix) - unsigned
Nate Robinson (Golden State) - unsigned
Brandon Roy (Portland) - signed with Minnesota Timberwolves, two years/$10.4 million
Brandon Rush (Golden State) - unsigned
Walker Russell (Detroit) - unsigned
Brian Scalabrine (Chicago) - unsigned
Luis Scola (Houston) - signed with Phoenix Suns, three years/$13.5 million
Ramon Sessions (L.A. Lakers) - signed with Charlotte Bobcats, terms undisclosed
Bobby Simmons (L.A. Clippers) - unsigned
Craig Smith (Portland) - unsigned
Ish Smith (Orlando) - unsigned
J.R. Smith (New York) - re-signed with New York Knicks, two years/$5.6 million
Marreese Speights (Memphis) - unsigned
Jerry Stackhouse (Atlanta) - signed with Brooklyn Nets, one year/$1.3 million
DeShawn Stevenson (Brooklyn) - sign and trade with Atlanta Hawks
Greg Stiemsma (Boston) - unsigned
Jason Terry (Dallas) - signed with Boston Celtics, three years/$15 million
Hasheem Thabeet (Houston) - signed with Oklahoma City Thunder, two years/money undisclosed
Jason Thompson (Sacramento) - re-signed with Sacramento Kings, multi-year/money undisclosed
Jamaal Tinsley (Utah) - Utah Jazz picked up team option, one year/$1.35 million
Anthony Tolliver (Minnesota) - unsigned
Ronny Turiaf (Miami) - signed with Los Angeles Clippers, one year/money undisclosed
Bill Walker (New York) - unsigned
Ben Wallace (Detroit) - unsigned
Gerald Wallce (Brooklyn) - re-signed with Brooklyn Nets, four years/$40 million
Delonte West (Dallas) - re-signed with Dallas Mavericks, terms undisclosed
D.J. White (Charlotte) - unsigned
James White (Europe) - signed with New York Knicks, one year/money undisclosed
Chris Wilcox (Boston) - re-signed with Boston Celtics, one year/$1.35 million
Damien Wilkens (Detroit) - unsigned
Deron Williams (Brooklyn) - re-signed with Brooklyn Nets, five years/$98 million
Lou Williams (Philadelphia) - signed with Atlanta Hawks, multiyear/terms undisclosed
Mo Williams (L.A. Clippers) - traded to Utah Jazz, picked up player option, one year/$8.5 million
Shawne Williams (Portland) - unsigned
Sheldon Williams (Brooklyn) - unsigned
Chris Wright (Golden State) - unsigned
Nick Young (L.A. Clippers) - signed with Philadelphia 76ers, one year/$6 million
Sam Young (Philadelphia) - unsigned

Please leave a comment if you hear about signings before I do. I want to keep this as updated as possible for everybody. Thanks!

10 Reasons: Why Indiana Pacers Can Win NBA Title

The Indiana Pacers didn't have a nationally televised game this season. At one point this season, they had the NBA's lowest attendance numbers in the league. Yes, even the Charlotte Bobcats were beating them in attendance for most of the season. Indiana surprised everyone this year and took a leap from last year's #8 seed to this year's #3 seed in the playoffs.

NBA analysts have been divided on whether the Pacers benefited from this year's schedule or if they are legit. Indiana is full of young players who are still peaking, so they are a bit unpredictable. They started off the season on fire, but suffered a mid-season slump. After acquiring Leandro Barbosa, they went 18-9 and finished the season 42-24. Can the Pacers be consistent enough to win a series against the Miami Heat? How does Indiana match-up against the best teams in the West?

1. Roy Hibbert is a defensive nightmare for the Miami Heat. Hibbert is one of the most improved players in the NBA. He hasn't put up get offensive numbers in the playoffs, but he can block any guards that drive in the lane. There aren't many legit big men in the playoffs and the ones that are left (Joakim Noah, Andrew Bynum, Marc Gasol), he has had big games against in the past. Joel Anthony isn't an offensive threat, but Hibbert is more physical and will be able to score.

2. Paul George is turning into an elite defender. George came into the league with a big question mark. He had all of the tools to be a great player in the league, but no one knew if he would develop into one. He was good at a lot of things, but not great. He didn't have a position out of college, much like Evan Turner. He has improved his game at every level and could be the Pacers' franchise player very soon. In the past, Indiana has relied on Dahntay Jones to defend the team's best scorer. He has done well, but he is an offensive liability. He takes too many bad shots and he has a quick trigger. George was top-10 in steals, steal %, and steals per game. He would guard Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, and Dwayne Wade with Danny Granger sharing the duty.

3. Danny Granger is a consistent scorer. I couldn't say this at the beginning of the season, but he finished the season on a hot streak. He raised his points per game to 18.7 and finished the season shooting 38% from behind the arc. He doesn't have the pressure to be the team's leading scorer, since George, Hibbert, and David West could all easily have 20-point games. I have confidence in him taking the final shot and cemented his place as the team leader.

4. David West is fully-healed from his knee surgery. Before the All-Star break, West wasn't playing maximum minutes and Tyler Hansbrough would often finish the games at power-forward. West is turning into a 20-10 guy and help the Pacers go 18-9 down the stretch. He is the enforcer in the paint, much like Kendrick Perkins was during the Boston Celtics title run. Teams are scared to go in the paint with West and Hibbert occupying it.

5. George Hill is a better starting point-guard than Darren Collison. When Collison went down with an injury a month ago, Hill stepped in and the team went on a seven-game winning streak. The team is much better on the fast break than in the half-court and Hill is a better scoring threat on the break. Hill only averages 1.0 turnovers per game, Collison improved his turnovers per game to 1.9, but Hill is better with the ball. Pacers' fans are now happy that they traded their first-round draft pick (that turned into Kawhi Leonard) to the Spurs for Hill.

6. Indiana's bench is one of the deepest teams in the league. At the trading deadline, the Pacers traded a second-round draft pick to Toronto for Leandro Barbosa. They needed a bench scorer and he has delivered. Hansbrough, Barbosa, Collison, Louis Amundson, Jones, and Lance Stephenson are an exciting second unit. Hansbrough and Amundson are motor guys that always fight for the ball and Jones can deliver perimeter defense. They will have an advantage when the opposing team rests their starters.

7. Indiana has the confidence that they can beat any team. As in #8 seed in last year's playoffs, they made the Chicago Bulls fight for every win. They weren't supposed to make that series close, but Derrick Rose had to give 100% to win that series. They have beat most of the teams in the playoffs and have only had a few games this season that were out of reach early. The team is peaking at the right time in the season.

8. The Pacers are an excellent road team. They had a winning road record (19-14) and even averaged more points per game away from home (95.5). If they slip up at home, like they did against the Magic in Game 1, they can make it up on the road. I know that it is tougher to win on the road in the playoffs, but like I said before, their confidence is at a season-high.

9. Derrick Rose's unfortunate injury opens up the Eastern Conference race. Indiana has to play their way through Miami to face where Chicago would be, but they match-up well again the top part of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket. Miami will be their toughest challenge in the East, so if they make it to the Conference finals, they will be favored. They will have a difficult match-up against the Western Conference winner, but it won't be as lopsided as experts would predict.

10. A playoff match-up against Indiana will be a "trap series" for the Heat. Miami has only one goal, to win the NBA Championship. Their season would be a disappointment if they fall short of their goal. No matter who the Heat face in the second-round, Magic or Pacers, their focus will be past their opponent. A team will be able to sneak a couple wins against them throughout the playoffs, so that extra win could sway the series. I'm excited to see Indiana play Miami, since the entire country will be rooting for them to knockout Lebron and his "South Beach talents."

No matter how far the Pacers make it in the playoffs, this season will be considered a success. They are a young team and are expected to make the playoffs many times in the near future.

I just hope that this is the year that Indiana hangs their first banner as a member of the NBA.

Re-Do - 2008 NBA Draft

I have done a few of these "Draft Re-do" posts and you really can't judge any professional sports' drafts until after three years. You always have a few late-bloomers that still makes you look at a draft and wonder "why didn't my team draft him?"

The 2008 NBA Draft class is full of All-Star selections, an MVP, and a few guys who blossomed during the NBA Playoffs. You also have a few  players that didn't materialize in the NBA. The last time you heard Joe Alexander's name was when David Stern called his name as the 8th pick. Overall, this draft class is quite deep and much better than the top-heavy 2007 draft class. There are a few guys that we're still waiting for them to peak, but I'm optimistic that they will come through. Does Michael Beasley and O.J. Mayo make it into the Lottery during our re-draft?

1. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls - This isn't much of a surprise. I would have bet money that Rose would be one of the game's best by now. The Bulls got pretty lucky with this pick, but as deep as this draft was, they would have still received a pretty good player later in the lottery. After everything is said and done, Rose should have a few rings and many other accolades. (Rose went #1 to Chicago)

2. Russell Westbrook – Miami Heat – I have to admit that I did not love Westbrook when he came out after his sophomore year at UCLA. I thought that he needed another year and when he went #4 to Oklahoma City, I thought that was insanely high. He has done everything to prove me wrong since he's been in the NBA. What is scary about Westbrook? He hasn't even peaked yet and he's looking like an All-Star. (Westbrook went #4 to Seattle)

3. Kevin Love – Minnesota Timberwolves (traded to Memphis) - I was a big Kevin Love fan when he left UCLA. Come to think of it, how did UCLA not win a championship with Love, Westbook, & Collison? Memphis would be a fantastic team with Love, but they wouldn't have traded for Zach Randolph. A duo of Marc Gasol and Love would be a bit soft, but you would get scoring and rebounding production all day. (Love went #5 to Memphis)

4. Roy Hibbert – Seattle Supersonics – I have to put Hibbert at #4 because he's one of the lone players in this draft to have already earned an all-star selection. I find it hard to believe that Joe Alexander and Marreese Speights were drafted before him. Once Hibbert learns how to shoot a nice 10-foot jumper, he'll be more similar to Patrick Ewing. He's a legit 7-footer with post moves, which is quite rare these days in the NBA. Hibbert has a chance to be great and his best basketball is yet to come. (Hibbert went #17 to Indiana)

5. Serge Ibaka – Memphis Grizzlies (traded to Minnesota) - An argument could be made about not taking Ibaka at #5 from this year's draft class. You would be basing your information by taking about a year and a half of basketball. I have seen enough of him to know that he's going to win a couple Defensive Player Of The Year awards during his career. If his offensive game improves, you could eventually move him up a few spots. (Ibaka went #24 to Seattle)

6. Brook Lopez – New York Knicks - If Lopez could stay healthy, he would be higher in this re-draft. In 2008, the Knicks were bad...really bad. Lopez would have been the franchise's savior. They ended up picking Danilo Gallinari at this spot, who was in the package that they flipped for Carmelo Anthony. The Knicks didn't lose anything by picking Gallinari here, but Lopez would have been interesting in New York. (Lopez was picked #10 by New Jersey)

7. Danilo Gallinari – Los Angeles Clippers - Gallinari is one of those guys that everyone is waiting on. You have seen flashes over the last few seasons, but he's still improving. I expect that he'll grow in Denver and be the face of that franchise. The Knicks may regret trading him for Carmelo in the long-term. (Gallinari went #6 to New York)

8. Eric Gordon – Milwaukee Bucks - I have loved Eric Gordon since he was in college. He is a pure shooter and a bit underrated. He was included in the Chris Paul trade and he's been injured for most of the season. It would have been nice to see him have more time with Blake Griffin. He will be a free agent this summer and he will be a coveted guy. I added him this high because of his playing skills and his ability to down two pieces of Sbarro's pizza in less than two minutes (I saw him at the Charlotte airport Sbarro's in 2009). I am hoping that Gordon will find his way on the Pacers, for purely selfish reasons.  (Gordon was chosen #7 by L.A. Clippers)

9. Mario Chalmers - Charlotte Bobcats -  Chalmers is a player that you either love or hate. The people that hate him say that he's a system point-guard and that anyone could play with Wade, Bosh, and Lebron James. The people who love him think that it takes a special player to be able to hang with the best trio of players in the NBA. He's a very good defensive player, but could improve with his mid-range game. The Bobcats would have benefited from picking Chalmers over D.J. Augustin. (Chalmers was picked #34 by Minnesota - traded to Miami)

10. O.J. Mayo – New Jersey Nets - Mayo should be higher on this list, but he's blocked by Rudy Gay. He has earned more playing time, but he's a trade chip for the Grizzlies. If he was on a team that needed SG & SF help, he would be a starter. Mayo was all hyped up coming into college and he didn't do anything special at USC (besides allegedly getting Tim Floyd to hand deliver money). I still think that he's a special player, but he has to start working at getting better at the NBA level. (Mayo was picked #3 by Memphis)

11. Michael Beasley – Indiana Pacers (traded to Portland) - Beasley is another guy who came into the NBA with a lot of hype, but lacked any sizzle his first couple years in the NBA. He was a casualty in the Lebron James saga and landed in Minnesota. He has done very well for them and doesn't have to be the #1 or #2 scoring option. He will flourish in a system in which he doesn't have a lot of pressure on him. The Pacers currently have a player like him on their roster, Tyler Hansbrough. (Beasley was picked #2 by Miami)

12. Goran Dragic – Sacramento Kings -  In a few years, Dragic could be much higher on the list. He's currently on the Houston Rockets and getting his first shot at running the offense. He has been a star for them, but they need a few more pieces. Dragic can make his own shot and help others do the same. I really like watching him and hopefully the Rockets can build around him. In hindsight, he would have done very well with the Kings. (Dragic was picked #45 by San Antonio traded to Phoenix)

13. Nicolas Batum – Portland Trail Blazers traded to Indiana - Batum is another "we are still waiting on you" type of player. He hasn't had the type of playing time needed to showcase his skills, but you know that they're there. You'll still need to wait and see what he turns into, but I'm optimistic.(Batum was picked #25 by Houston traded to Portland)

14. Brandon Rush – Golden State Warriors - This is quite convenient. If he was picked by the Warriors, he would have struggled in Indiana. He seems to fit the system in Oakland and I like his current role. He's a guy that can come off the bench, shoot some 3's, and play a little defense. He could be a fill-in starter, but I like what he does off of the bench. (Rush was picked #13 by Portland traded to Indiana)

Next Three Picks - D.J. Augustin, Jason Thompson, George Hill

Here's the Re-Do posts for the 1999 NBA Draft, 2005 NBA Draft, 2006 NBA Draft, & 2007 NBA Draft.


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Josh McRoberts: My New Man Crush?

If you have read anything on this site over the last few years, you know my stance on Josh McRoberts. I hate Duke, he made a horrible decision by going pro when he did, and he had a failed relationship with "The Hills" actress, Lauren Conrad. When he landed on the Indiana Pacers a few years ago, I wasn't exactly thrilled. He was a throw-in when Indiana traded Jerryd Bayless to Portland for Brandon Rush on draft night. Not many people expected that the Pacers would keep him around, but he has kept a spot on the roster since and even earning a few starts, due to injury, last season. He has made the most of his opportunities. Has he changed our mind?

The only player that has received more negative publicity on this site than McRoberts has been Adam Morrison, so what I'm about to tell you might surprise you. I am a fan of Josh McRoberts. I "liked" his page on Facebook to prove it. You have to like a guy who knows his role. He isn't going to light it up and take 20 shots a game, his job is to eat up minutes and grab rebounds. He only takes 3-4 shots a game and most of those are put backs on rebounds. It's something that other Pacers players should relish, because a player like Dahntay Jones, another Duke player on Indiana, has done so far this year too. Jones signed a 3-year deal before last season to become the Pacers defensive stopper, but he ended up trying to become Ron Artest and jacked up ugly shot after ugly shot. It was so bad that the Pacers tried to package D. Jones with Solomon Jones in a 2 for 1 trade, for anybody, so they could keep their 2nd-round pick, Magnum Rolle. They didn't receive any offers, so they had to keep the Jones boys and cut Rolle loose, who is now doing well in the NBDL.

Going back to McRoberts, he should be a fan favorite. He is from nearby Carmel, Indiana and he's white as a camera flash. Larry Bird may have went a different route in the draft this year and tried to take the best available players instead of playing it sage. Paul George, Lance Stephenson, and Magnum Rolle were all acquired on draft night. George plays the same position as Danny Granger, but his upside was the highest of any player left on the board. Stephenson was once known as "The Lebron of NYC," as the best prep player in the city, but bonehead decisions and lack of motivation dropped him into the 2nd round. McRoberts is a player that Bird imagined that he would go out and acquire. A "gritty" and "scrappy" role player that he can plug in and do their job.

No one expects McRoberts to do anything on this team, no pressure at all. Hibbert trimmed down and he's a beast inside this season, Granger is the leader and will lead this team in points, and Darren Collison is a slasher and can do whatever is left. The Pacers don't look that attractive on paper, but on the court, they are pulling off some improbable wins.

Within the last week, the Pacers smoked the Heat, pushed the Thunder to overtime, easily beat the Lakers on the road, and dominated the Kings at Sacramento. If you told me that the Pacers would be 9-7 after 16 games, I would have asked you to pee in a cup. This team could easily be 10-6 or 11-5, if a few balls bounced the other way. The production on this team is essentially the same team as last season, minus Troy Murphy and adding Collison and James Posey. Why is this team winning games? You have a few players on contract years (T.J. Ford, Mike Dunleavy) and Jim O'Brien came into this season fighting for his job. Players are accepting their roles and Ford seems to be happy and not sulking on the bench as the 3rd PG option. He has been very productive as the backup PG and looks to be mentoring Collison.

Are the Pacers a playoff team? In an Eastern Conference that looks very top-heavy, absolutely! I project that the 7th and 8th seeds in the East will be 4 or 5 games under .500. If they complete this Western Conference road trip undefeated or with a lone loss, they are setting themselves up for a pretty nice December and January. You can't win a season this early, but you can definitely lose a season this early. If Indiana headed into January with a horrible record, O'Brien would be a sitting duck and the Pacers would start looking for trade partners to move their expiring contracts for assets. It is setting up to be an interesting season in Indianapolis, if they can make the playoffs without Reggie Miller, maybe the fans can finally move on and accept this team. If I can accept Josh McRoberts, there's hope for peace in the Middle East.

I leave you with an alley-oop by McRoberts that happened last night against Sacramento, click here to check it out.

2009-10 NBA Preview: Indiana Pacers

As many of you know, I write for a Pacers site over at Fanball. You can read my stuff at PacersPlace.com. As part of my 2009-10 NBA Preview posts, I wrote one about the Pacers that can be found there. I have copied it here on my site too and here is the 2009-10 NBA Preview for the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers have barely missed the playoffs the last few years, could this be the season when that streak ends? Danny Granger is a stud, but could he possibly win the MVP award? Troy Murphy is coming off the best season of his career, can he keep up those numbers this year? Can Mike Dunleavy make a comeback from his knee problems? Can Tyler Hansbrough, Brandon Rush, and Roy Hibbert take the next step and become legit NBA stars?

Additions/Subtractions - There are quite a few new faces on the Pacers this year. They did well in the draft when they picked up Tyler Hansbrough and A.J. Price. They were both winners in college and this team is starting to be filled with players who excelled in college. The lost Jarrett Jack and Marquis Daniels via free agency, but they picked up Luther Head, Dahntay Jones, Solomon Jones, and Earl Watson to fill their roster. They look to be a better defensive team than they were the last two seasons.

2009-10 Expectations - They have been the 9th best team in the Eastern Conference the last few seasons, but they look to change that this year. They have been in a transition mode since Reggie Miller retired. Indiana has been lucky that they haven't bottomed out like many teams have during their rebuilding process. Head coach Jim O'Brien has played an offensive style that has fit this team and he should get the credit for the Pacers not falling completely into a void the last two seasons. Larry Bird could be on the hot seat this year if the team doesn't improve on their record from last year, but the roster has nearly turned over completely the last three seasons. This team has a lot of former Wooden Award winners on it and it's nearing time that many of them to mature and reach their potential. Danny Granger came into his own last year and he may even get better. If the Pacers end up in the playoffs, it will be because of his play. If he has a bad year, the Pacers could be one of the worst teams in the league. They look to him for leadership and production.

2009-10 Prediction - I look for Granger to be a possible MVP candidate and he will make the All-Star team. Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert, and Troy Murphy will be a nice three man rotation at the PF/C positions. It's time for Hibbert to really show the league what he can do. Brandon Rush will improve, he had a pretty good last two months of the season last year. Mike Dunleavy is dealing with an nagging knee injury. He had surgery on it, but had a setback. He should be back at some point near the beginning of the season, but it could be a lost season for him. The Pacers will make the playoffs, but it could be as a #8 seed.

2009-10 Win Total - 38-44

Indiana Pacers Summer League Roster

For those that are not aware, I have a couple new writing jobs. I am the Indiana Pacers and Columbus Blue Jackets correspondents for Fanball.com. I am writing at the Indiana Pacers site, PacersPlace.com, and the Columbus Blue Jackets site, StingersOnIce.com.

I just recently put up a post about the Indiana Pacers Summer League team. I listed the players and a little bio about each player. You can check out the post by clicking here.