Can Danny?

What to do with the Indiana Pacers. They might have the worst salary situation outside of New York City and have little potential to hang their hope on.

1. Sort Out The Roster 
Danny Granger is the only bright spot on this roster although I think he's a #2 star and not a legit franchise player. Jermaine O'Neal is now underrated IMO but he's on the decline and vastly overpaid. Mike Dunleavy Jr. emerged as a player in 2008 but I'm not sold on him. I think Bird would be best suited to sell while Dunleavy's value is high. Jamaal Tinsley and Troy Murphy are almost unmovable and definitely have negative value in terms of trades. Shawne Williams showed some improvement but seems awkward on the court. He's only 22 so you have to hold onto him. Nobody else really merits much discussion.

2. The Draft
You can make a strong argument for the Pacers being this decade's worst team in terms of the draft. The only thing in their favor is that they haven't been drafting in the lottery. Besides not drafting well, they've also given away lottery picks for guys like Jeff Foster and Al Harrington. Honestly, I'm not sure that this year will be any better.

Best case scenario, DJ Augustin doesn't move up into the top 10 and the Pacers can draft for need and add a point guard. If he's not there, then the pick might be between the best remaining PF prospects like Joe Alexander, Darrell Arthur, Marreese Speights, etc.  

3. Trade Market
The Pacers have to deal Jermaine O'Neal and pretty much everyone knows that. Even worse, JO makes so much money that it's going to be nearly impossible for the Pacers to throw in a guy like Jamaal Tinsley in order to dump that contract. Jermaine for Stephon Marbury and the #6 probably isn't possible because the Knicks need the lotto pick in order to dump Randolph. The stumbling block with the Cavs deal is likely Ben Wallace, whom I'd bet the Cavs would rather deal instead of the expiring contracts of Wally Szczerbiak, Eric Snow, and Damon Jones. Perhaps the Bucks could offer Bobby Simmons, Mo Williams, and Charlie Villenueva but that seems like a lot and they might want a pick back in return which I wouldn't do if I was Indiana because I'm not exactly thrilled about any of the three players I'm getting back for JO.  In the end, the Pacers decision might come down to either holding on to O'Neal for one more year (or until the trade deadline) or taking the Cavs lowball offer.

Another deal I would look into would be Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Marquis Daniels for Andrei Kirilenko. I like AK-47 working with Jim O'Brien and in Indiana, he'd get to be back at his more natural power forward position.  

4. Free Agency
Indiana might be where Tony Allen or Delonte West ends up. Both could work well in O'Brien's system at the 2 guard. Matt Barnes also might not be a terrible pickup for cheap while Mo Evans would be a nice fit as well, if Orlando lets him go. Unfortunately, after the Pacers decline and Jermaine O'Neal's public complaints and pleas to get out of town, I'm just not sure many quality players are going to be looking at Indiana as a possible new home.

5. Summary
Starters: Jamaal Tinsley, Mo Evans, Danny Granger, Andrei Kirilenko, Jermaine O'Neal.
Bench: Shawne Williams, Troy Murphy, DJ Augustin, Tony Allen, Jeff Foster, Ike Diogu, Travis Diener, Matt Barnes, David Harrison.