How adding Kelly Oubre changes things for the Indiana Pacers in free agency | What is different now?

1. Timestamps-ish:
   0:00 Oubre signing changes Pacers?
   2:10 Roster/flexibility impacts
   5:33 Extensions for Walker/Shepard
   14:02 Free agent targets elsewhere
   23:03 Trade timing and 2027 pick

2. About to start watching your podcast. If you don't cover it in your show, I am wondering if we can resign Kobe Brown and still be under the cap? Would his minimum salary push us over (if he was willing to accept it)? Could we cancel Micah Potter, and then resign him to a smaller amount, that would then allow us to sign Brown?

3. 17:30 Tony, curious how you feel about that Vuc move.. there’s not much spending left for any team and there are many players whom I believe to be upgrades over our back end, whom are making as much or more than what some of these deals, like Vuc. For that money, I don’t believe he’s as washed as Boston made it look.

4. Pacers could still use a SG slasher/shooter off the bench who plays fast and D.
   How Javonte Green Fits the Final Roster Spot

   The Pacers love physical, fast-paced transitions. Adding Green to their lone remaining 15-man standard roster slot gives them a functional playoff-ready weapon.

   The Baseline Slasher: Green is an elite off-ball cutter who does not command high touches. He excels at exploiting defensive lapses, catching lobs from T.J. McConnell, and running hard lanes.

   The Perimeter Lockdown Defense: Standing at 6'5" with explosive verticality, he can confidently guard multiple backcourt positions. This eases the defensive workload off pure developmental shooters like Johnny Furphy.

   The Efficiency Evolution: Coming off a career-best season where he shot a blistering 38.1% from deep on real volume, he no longer clogs the interior paint for drivers.

   Javonte Green would cost the Pacers a standard veteran minimum contract worth approximately $3.3 million, and Indiana would not have to trade anyone. They could technically spend up to 9 mil before being hard capped at the 2nd apron. But they would like to stay close to that 198. if they can. They are currently around 200.

   Because Green is an unrestricted free agent, he can be signed directly using a minimum exception or a portion of the team's remaining mid-level exception. Financially and logistically, the transaction is incredibly clean for the Pacers' front office:

   Signing Green to a veteran minimum contract allows Indiana to add an elite transition slasher and lock-down perimeter wing while maintaining complete asset flexibility.

   I could see the Pacers signing another player who can score the ball. Unless there is a big man signing, or trade that happens. I'd like to do both. Even if that means bringing in another kind of a backup C on/near a minimum as well.

   Day'Ron Sharpe would be a solid backup in a trade. Could sign Nick Richards, but can he stay healthy? Love a Moussa Diabate trade.

   Maybe a Drummond or Charles Bassey is more realistic. Both of which are strong double digit rebounders. But not much outside of the paint. But I love the energy they play with. We need as many different types of bigs we can throw out there. Each one gives us a different look for certain matchups.. Depth# = strength.

5. I’m honestly afraid that the Pacers are going to hold firmly to Jarace Walker the way they did with Myles Turner. Many fans want him because he is the youngest player Indy has but that means nothing on a win now team. I personally feel the Pacers currently have 3 backup centers with Obi listed as the other. What the team needs to do is double down on another wing, imo. Don’t put all the pressure on Oubre but try and get a player many fans thought was also a good fit in Saddiq Bey. From what I read about the Pelicans, they are wanting a center. A three team trade with New Orleans, Indiana and Dallas would work as the Mavs have plenty in of TPE to take on Walker. Pelicans get Lively 2 and Pacers get Bey as an insurance policy for Oubre. Now this gives them a core 9 with Sheppard as 10 man on the roster, right where he should be. He could be traded at the deadline but that’s for another time. The trading of Walker for Bey is not only a better fit, it saves Indy close to $2 million. Now sitting on the $3.5, they can get a vet minimum or wait until the trade deadline and find an $8 million player to trade for Sheppard ($5+ million) as they make a playoff push

6. Sign Grant Nelson and cut Micah Potter

7. I'd hate to see Jarace go, but Quinton Jackson is a DOG. WE GOTTA KEEP HIM

8. Great signing. We needed a guy like Oubre and it's a very affordable contract. Not sure they want to add too many more pieces at this point, unless you can move a Jarace walker + some picks for a guy who can help you win now (ideally a guy who can generate his own basket)

9. mutual opt-out or mutual opt-in? I read in.

10. @TonyEast I thought two-way players are rookie minimum eligible if they had never had a standard contract. Is that wrong? Are we only discussing Smith because he's the only one that keeps us under the apron or because he seems most likely?

11. The way you have been describing oubre potential fit on the team really reminds me of a more perimeter focused thad young. The versatility he seems to be bringing is exciting.

12. I was trying catch up on all the episodes I missed (not even at the draft yet) but I HAD to watch this episode!

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