Post Paul George Leg Snapping in Half Plan for the Indiana Pacers

            I’ve had over 24 hours to digest the possible scenarios for the Indiana Pacers this season, and here’s my half-baked solution to not only keep the Pacers relatively competitive, but also plan for the future.

1. Apply for a disabled player salary exemption – This move would give the Pacers almost $6 million to acquire a mid-level player.
2. Trade David West – Moving Roy Hibbert or waiving Luis Scola has been discussed more, but West is six years older than Hibbert, and costs $8 million more than Scola. West still has value as a leader who can hit mid range jumpers, and virtually every contending team in the West would have a use for him. They should expect a future first rounder that should fall somewhere in the 20s in return.
3. Make a four year, $60 million qualifying offer to Eric Bledsoe – Bledsoe is the last dynamic talent left in restricted free agency, and with the savings created by their salary exemption and moving West, the Pacers would be able to afford to make this offer. Word on the street is the Suns have offered $48 million over four years, so there’s a chance this offer goes unmatched. If George can return at near full strength in 2015-16, him and Bledsoe would form a devastating defensive duo on the perimeter.
4. Let Roy Hibbert shoot – Hibbert has bitched and moaned about his lack of low post opportunities for years, so what better chance to shut him up than right now. In this scenario, he’s the second best scoring option after Bledsoe.
5. At the trade deadline, move George Hill – The acquisition of Hill has never looked worse after Kawhi Leonard (the player the Spurs drafted with the pick Indiana sent them for Hill) was named Finals MVP. Hill is best suited as a back up, so like West, there would be a market for him in February.
6. After the season, trade Roy Hibbert – Assuming Hibbert thrives with an increased offensive workload, his trade value should be at it’s highest. Seven footers that have the defensive Hibbert has don’t grow on trees, so he will command a large package in return.

         This plan should put the Pacers in the bottom half of the Eastern playoff bracket, give them a duo of George and Bledsoe to build around, and depending on what they get back in trades, possibly $30 million in cap room for next summer. We’ll sign off on this plan every day and twice on Wednesday.