My Semi-Realistic, Dream off-season and plan for the future.

[Bosstown]

We trade for Kevin Love, and somehow sign Lance Stephenson. Some of you hate Lance, but I really like the kids fire and he obviously has immense talent. He's 23 years old and def has some growing up to do, but he would thrive as a 1st/2nd option especially next to Rondo and Love. Green would be the 4th option [as he should be] concentrate on hitting open threes and guarding the other team's best perimeter player.

 I think this team could make the ECF next year, and reload in 2015 to make a push for a championship if they get a Center that can defend. Whether that's through the draft or FA...Tyson Chandler would be a year older but would def want another shot at a ring maybe he signs here for cheap.

2014-2015 starting 5
Rondo
Stephenson
Green
Love
- FA Defensive Center - [Gortat?]

2015-2016 starting 5
Rondo
Stephenson
Green
Love
Tyson Chandler

Look I know some trades are going to have to be made to make this possible and free up cap space, but really I'd like this team and I think it would be a defensive center and a 6th man away from being a real championship team.

[LooseCannon]

If you want to claim to be at least semi-realistic, you should do the math to show how large of a contract the Celtics can offer Stephenson.

[Fafnir]

If you want to claim to be at least semi-realistic, you should do the math to show how large of a contract the Celtics can offer Stephenson.

I mean if we're getting Stephenson for the MLE, we might as well offer LeBron that veteran's minimum. With a team option for the second year of course, he might have some trade value if he's non-guaranteed.

[timpiker]

Larry's not giving away Stephenson.

[bmac934]

lance is making 1 mill right now and should be making 10 mill next year, i doubt indiana can afford him

[LooseCannon]

lance is making 1 mill right now and should be making 10 mill next year, i doubt indiana can afford him

The expected large increase in the salary cap and luxury tax threshold makes it a lot more likely that Indiana can find a way to keep him without paying any tax.

The Pacers currently have about $65m committed to ten players next season.  A recent projection of the luxury tax level was $77m.  Indiana does not have a first round pick this year.  So, they can afford around $12m to spend on Stephenson plus other players to fill out the bench. 

But wait, there's more.  They can also waive Luis Scola, who reportedly has almost $4m of his contract unguaranteed, to create additional space.  They could also do salary dumps of guys on non-minimum expiring contracts such as CJ Watson and Chris Copeland.  Making some of those moves could allow the Pacers to bring back Stephenson and use the MLE without paying any luxury tax.