Indiana Pacers: 5 Possible Moves the Pacers May Consider Once the Lockout Ends

The NBA lockout hurts a lot of teams, few more than the Indiana Pacers. Not only is Indiana a small-market franchise that was already losing money before the lockout began, but on the court its young players, new head coach and recently-acquired George Hill haven't had the traditional offseason to come together and gel. 

Add to that the fact that fans were just starting to once again get excited about basketball, and for the Pacers, the lockout is a worst-case scenario. 

When it ends, the Pacers will have a short period to make several moves. They must address the power forward position, figure out how to play both Granger and George, and make other roster moves that will further add to a talented young corps.

Here are five moves that will improve the Pacers and put them in position to contend in the Eastern Conference. 

5. Several Players Who Won't Be Back

Players Who Won't Be Back: T.J. Ford, Dahntay Jones, Josh McRoberts, Solomon Jones, A.J. Price

Likelihood They Won't Be Back: Ford 75 percent, D. Jones 60 percent, McRoberts 40 percent, Jones 90 percent, Price 60 percent

Of course all of this depends on how long free agency will be. The shorter the timeframe, the more likely teams will go into the shortened season with their current group of players, more or less. 

But just because there is a lockout doesn't mean that some players won't get released, traded or not re-signed. This year, with the Pacers looking to make a splash in free agency and give their young talent a chance to showcase themselves, several veterans will likely not be back. 

The Pacers are still very high on Lance Stephenson and with A.J. Price (if he's still on the team), there isn't much room for four point guards. Expect T.J. Ford to continue his career somewhere else.  

Same situation with Jones. Brandon Rush is going to get one more shot, and with Dunleavy (if he stays) and newly-acquired George Hill, the veteran Jones may be expendable. 

As for McRoberts, it depends on what happens in free agency. If the Pacers can lure away David West from New Orleans, McRoberts probably won't be re-signed. If not, the Pacers would be silly to let him slip away. 

4. Trade George Hill

Trade: George Hill for a pure shooter or a power forward

Likelihood Hill Is Traded: 15 percent

Newly-acquired George Hill is a local product and should immediately become a fan favorite.

Problem is, he is a small combo guard who is not known for his offense, which is something the Pacers desperately need. So when the offseason lifts the Pacers may look to flip Hill for a more traditional shooter. Eric Gordon, with his Indiana roots and scoring prowess, is someone the Pacers covet. Could they put together an attractive enough offer for the Clips to bite?

A package of Hill and Granger for Gordon and further considerations is always a possibility, especially since it's the Clippers. However, with such a limited amount of time and given that Bird seems to covet Hill, such a deal seems unlikely. 

3. Finally Land O.J. Mayo

Trade: For O.J. Mayo

Likelihood of Trading for O.J. Mayo: 30 percent

Last year the Pacers had a deal in place with Memphis to land O.J. Mayo.

Looking back it was a missed opportunity. Instead the Pacers kept McRoberts and used their first-round pick to acquire George Hill in a trade with San Antonio. 

Would the Grizzlies go for the same trade again? Unlikely—not after the postseason they had and Mayo's breakout series against Oklahoma City.

In order to land Mayo the Pacers would have to offer more than McRoberts, but unfortunately, they probably don't have anything that would appeal to Minnesota. 

2. Trade Granger to Utah for Jefferson or Millisap

Trade: Danny Granger for Al Jefferson (or perhaps Paul Milsap, although that would be less desirable)

Likelihood of Trading Granger: 62 percent

On paper, a trade with Utah for Al Jefferson makes the most sense of any possible deal in the league, perhaps all time. There are few trade scenarios where both teams would come away equally pleased, have a chance to improve their weaknesses, become more complete/dangerous teams and not get screwed financially.

A trade involving Granger and Jefferson would fit all of the above. It makes so much sense and would be so mutually beneficial that it probably won't happen because it really would be too good to be true. 

The Pacers need a big, tough, bruising power forward who can both score and rebound in order to complement and take the pressure off Hibbert. At 6'10" and averaging 18.6 PPG and 9.7 RPG, Al Jefferson is just that guy. They also need to create more stable playing time for highly-touted 2010 rookie Paul George.

Trading Granger for Jefferson fits both of those bills. 

The Jazz need an athletic scoring wing player who can carry a team offensively and match up with some of the West's top forwards defensively. They also have a log jam and are desperate to get prized 2010 third overall pick Derrick Favors more playing time.

Trading Jefferson for Granger fits both of those bills. 

Trading for Jefferson would immediately give the Pacers one of, if not the most formidable front courts in the league. Trading for Granger would give the Jazz an All-Star wing to complement Favors and Devin Harris. 

The money would also be a wash since both players make just more than $12 million a year. It's a match made in basketball heaven. 

Why hasn't this deal been done yet?!?

Because of the lockout of course.

Will it happen once play resumes? Depends. After initially seeming eager to shop both players, the trade rumors (separate trades not involving both teams) calmed and both teams have warmed to keeping their guys.

But will it last? 

Should the season start Christmas Day as expected, it's unlikely teams will make big blockbuster trades. This is also a trade that could happen with a whole offseason for the idea to germinate.

It would be hard to see Granger go, but it's pretty clear the trade would make both teams better. 

1. Sign David West

Sign: David West from the Hornets

Likelihood of Signing David West: 71 percent

What's better than trading for Al Jefferson?

Signing David West. By stealing West from Chris Paul and the Hornets, the Pacers would be adding a marquee power forward without having to give up their best and only All-Star player in Granger. Given West's 18.9 PPG and 7.6 RPG are practically equal to Jefferson's numbers, the Pacers would not only have an All-Star forward but also a deep bench as well. 

A starting five of Collison, George, Granger, West, Hibbert with Stephenson, Hill and Hansbrough coming off the bench is a scary rotation that few in the East could match. 

The drawbacks to signing West is that he is coming off reconstructive knee surgery and will be demanding a lot of money. The Pacers can afford him, so if they are serious about contending, West is the way to go. 

If his knees can hold up (and they would benefit from a shortened season), West would provide the scoring, leadership and interior presence crucial for the Pacers' hopes of contending in the East.