What do you guys think?  I think if we make a two for trade, which is possible because I read today we are still trying to trade Dahntay, we should go out and sign Earl Barron.  He is a very skilled 7 footer and I'm very surprised he doesn't have a job yet. He played exceptionally well at the end of last season. In seven games with the Knicks at the end of the season last year he averaged 11.7 points and 11 rebounds in 33 minutes.  He is a little older at 30, but I think he would be a massive upgrade over Solomon Jones.

I was looking into a few new options for the infamous point guard debacle and found a couple intriguing ones.

1. Patrick (Patty) Mills-  The Trailblazers decided to sign second round draft pick Armon Johnson instead of re-signing Patty Mills. Mills was never really given a fair chance to play in Portland because of a rookie injury.  He may be more of a scoring first point guard, but I am very intrigued by his speed.  He could come cheap and still has potential.  I think in this up tempo offense Mills could thrive.

2. Juan Dixon- Yes that Juan Dixon!  Okay really now, after he went overseas and was suspended he began a changed man.  I and he still thinks he could have some left in the tank.  Here is the link to the story  http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=16983. He too may be more of a two guard , but he can play the point and be successful.

What do you guys think, i just thought I would throw these out there

Here is the Pacers Summer League Roster

Draft Picks:

Paul George

Lance Stephenson

Magnum Rolle

Undrafted Players:

Chris Kramer: Kramer, the two-time Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year, averaged 6.5 points and 3.0 rebounds as a senior.

Thomas Heurtel: PG averaged 9.4 points and 4.8 assists four Strasbourg IG, shooting .418 from the 3-point line.

Others:

Richard Hendrix, a 6-8 power forward from Alabama who starred in Europe last season, earning the ACB (Spain) Rising Star Award;

Marcus Landry, the former Wisconsin forward who appeared in 18 NBA games last season averaging 2.6 points and 1.1 rebounds;

Marcus Williams, a 6-7 point forward from Arizona who starred in the D-League, averaging 24.3 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.8 assists last season for the Austin Toros

http://www.nba.com/pacers/news/web_100628.html

I just saw the trade a minute ago and thought I would share it. 

Pacers receive: Kirk Hinrich and #17

Bulls Receive  #10

I don't hate the trade, but I don't like it much either.  I mean Hinrich is a solid player who thrives in his role, but I dont think he is the right fit for the Pacers and I think we can get a little more. The article also said  we are targeting Hayward at #17 with the proposed trade.  Since Oklahoma City picks at #18 that could be just to pry Maynor from them, but I cant imagine all of the white jokes that would follow if we got Hayward AND Hinrich.

This years draft is deep I mean Really DEEP with talented Power Forwards. For the Pacers, this is great, that is definitely one of the teams biggest needs. And since I don't think we can land Wall or Turner, I'm pretty much counting on  getting a big guy.  Even though we just drafted Hansbrough, I don't think he will ever be more than a high energy guy off the bench who can give 20 solid minutes a night. I really hope that Larry Bird goes after Derrick Favors. Yes, he is still raw, but he oozes star potential. Cousins wouldn't be bad, but I wont' even bother cause I know how Bird won't bother with anyone with a character issue. Another guy I absolutely have fallen in love with is Al-Farouq Aminu. When I watched him the other day, I noticed he was active on every play, fought hard for every single rebound, and brings a TON of energy to his teammates. Aminu also seems like a good influence. So who do you want the Pacers to draft. And remember TWO second rounders to factor in. Please share your thoughts.

The Pacer have finally solved the Jamaal Tinsley  issue. Pacers.com The pacers will waive Tinsley Wednesday and if he clears waivers he will become a free-agent. Larry Bird says details of the resolution will not be disclosed and the team will make further comment. I only hope that the don't have to pay Tinsley his whole contract i hope it is just a partial buy-out. But at least TINSLEY IS FINALLY GONE!!!!!!!!

   I dont really know too much about him at all, but with the Hawks last year Jones averaged 3.0 ppg 2.8 rpg. and his is 6-10. I dont know where he would fit into the equation with an already crowded Pacers frontcourt streaming with Hibbert, McRoberts(officially signed today), Foster, Hansbrough, and Murphy. That being said Jones is still very young and has shown flashes potential to be a good rebounder. So what do you think, do you want the Pacers to scoop up Solomon Jones?

         Well we just lost out on another player i regarded highly of. I thought Matt Barnes and his nitty gritty play would have suited the Pacers well and provided some depth at the wing. Of the free-agents left i hope maybe a Rodney Carney, Luther Head, or Leon Powe. I still think that Larry Bird has done enough for the Pacers to be a dark horse to get into the playoffs as a 7th or 8th seed.

It is reported that the Pacers will sign veteran point guard Earl Watson to back up T.J. Ford.  The Pacers just have to wait for Watson to clear waivers in 7 days. This will continue the Pacers new defense first scheme. So what does everyone think, I know it's not a major signing but it seems like they are really putting pieces together. And if they can get someone out of the possible sign and trade deal with the Celtics involving Marquis Daniels they will have even more depth. I don't know about you other Pacers fans, but I am getting really excited about this year.