After several seasons of middling results, TheTwoWallaces is leaving no stone unturned, A particular focus appears to be the large contracts tied to aging veterans Kevin Love & Victor Oladipo. It appears evident that, several pieces away from contention, it is time for the Pacer organization to enter a rebuild.
Thus, meet the Win Slow approach. Make no mistake, Justise Winslow & Semi Ojeleye feature prominently in the Pacer leadership's vision of the future (as do WinSlow & WinsLow puns). Combined with a projected high first round draft pick and one of of the largest cap rooms in the league, the Pacers organization feels that it has the beginnings of a successful rebuilding project well underway.
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Amid rebuild, Ojeleye will get a chance to prove himself [photo credit: ozymandias]
One key hindrance to the organization's new Win Slow approach is the lack of a 1st round pick in the 2024 draft. Indiana will likely find themselves in a quagmire next season: Unlikely to win but without one of the NBA's greatest mathematical quandaries: a benefit to losing. However, TheTwoWallaces portrays this situation as an advantage. With no need to lose next season, the team can be more patient in unloading the contracts of Oladipo & Love. Fans can therefore expect to see two of the greatest Pacers in recent years still dawning the Blue & Gold this fall.
As for on-court changes, TheTwoWallaces has immediately pointed to the possibility of a new Head Coach. Despite his stated utmost appreciation for all that Flip Saunders has given the franchise, TheTwoWallaces is likely to be looking for a coach that can spearhead their youth development. Though the team has one of the older average median ages in the league, it is evident that a rebuild will require taking chances on more unproven players with greater upside.
With the franchise positioning Winslow as the their main priority, look for them to seek a coach that will maximize his elite defensive play. It remains to be seen whether the organization will be looking for other elite defenders to compliment Winslow.
Until then, the Pacers plan on giving Ojeleye and Winslow (once he returns from injury), an opportunity to take the keys of the franchise away from aging veterans Love, Oladipo, and DeRozan.
Let's see how it goes!