J. Michael | IndyStar

(Robert Scheer/IndyStar)

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INDIANAPOLIS – Three of the four teams left in the NBA playoffs have at least a "Big Two,” and the only reason the Boston Celtics are the exception is because of season-ending injuries to Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward.

The conference finals are here and there’s a strong chance that no team will have pushed the Cleveland Cavaliers to the brink like the Pacers, who lost in seven games in the first round. The Toronto Raptors were swept by them. The Celtics, who were eliminated in five games one year ago in this same position, could be overcome by Cleveland yet again (Note, the Cavs had a "Big Three" but Isaiah Thomas never materialized).

For Indiana, the lack of a Big Two hurt. While Victor Oladipo averaged 22.7 points, 8.3 rebounds, 6.0 assists. 2.4 steals and shot 40.4 percent from three-point range in the playoffs, there wasn’t a consistent second option when the Cavs trapped him or denied him the ball.

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The result was Oladipo disappeared for long stretches as the Pacers blew a 2-1 series lead as no one else could attack off the dribble to create. Point guard Darren Collison isn’t a scorer, small forward Bojan Bogdanovic is primarily a catch-and-shoot threat, power forward Thaddeus Young lacked stretch ability and center Myles Turner just isn’t there yet.

The Pacers talk a lot about finding the right players who fit their system. Since Oladipo is at the center of what they do, what type of player could they/should they acquire to play with him?

That help could come through a trade or free agency so if Indiana goes what president Kevin Pritchard calls it “big-game hunting” what would be the best options and how could it make sense?

Remember, a lot depends on whether or not Thaddeus Young decides to exercise his player option for next season. His decision starts all the decision-making:

1. Kawhi Leonard

AP

A 6-7 forward, he can defend anyone. He was drafted by the Pacers in 2011 for the Spurs, who sent George Hill for the pick. Although Hill is a quality point guard, Leonard has been NBA Defensive Player of the Year twice, MVP of the 2014 NBA Finals and has averaged 25.5 points per game.

Why he'd fit: The Pacers lack a true stretch option at power forward. Young is a fantastic defender under the rim and on the perimeter, which is why Kevin Love didn't play well for Cleveland in the playoffs. It wasn't a matter of Love choosing not to -- a puzzling narrative being parroted nationally -- but Young. What Leonard adds that Young doesn't, however, is a dual threat because he can stretch the floor with the 3-point shot where he's almost 40 percent for his career.

What would it take to get him: Leonard is owed $20.1 million for 2018-19 and gets a bump to $21.4 million for 2019-20. With the salary spikes in the previous two years, a modest number by comparison for someone so accomplished. For the Pacers, it would require the turning the contracts of Bojan Bogdanovic ($10.5 million) and Darren Collison ($10 million) into full guarantees, which would create the salary match for the first year required to make a deal conform to league rules. It’s doubtful the Spurs would give up a player of Leonard’s quality for just that and would add a throw-in contract and demand Myles Turner ($3.4 million), who is still on his rookie scale deal. Young would appear to be the logical swap but he can't play that far away from the rim as the three and the Spurs already have LaMarcus Aldridge at the four spot.

The risk: That final year of Leonard’s deal is a player option. If he declines it, and every indication is that he will if the Spurs keep him, he becomes an unrestricted free agent. Same would apply to whichever team would acquire him. There’d have to be some assurances that Leonard would stay and re-sign with his new team. Of course, that’s non-binding and Leonard could leave and there’d be nothing so show for a one-year rental.

Cap-o-nomics: The Spurs are a small-market team and will have used $98.4 million of the projected $101 million under the salary cap. But they'll have about $22.5 million of room under the $123 million luxury tax line which is the most important figure.

2. Kemba Walker

Chuck Burton, AP

It appeared the Hornets might move him at the trade deadline but did not. The All-Star point guard is entering the final year of a deal that’ll pay him just $12 million. A scorer, Walker averaged better than 20 points in each of the last three seasons but has never averaged more than 6.1 assists since turning pro in 2011.

Why he'd fit: Imagine doubling the ball out of Oladipo's hands with Walker waiting to receive it wide open. In his last two seasons, Walker has hovered around 40 percent shooting from 3-point range. He can create off the bounce, collapse defenses and finish in ways that can be problematic for Collison who is more measured in his output. Collision took 9.2 total shots per game last season in leading the NBA in 3-point accuracy at 48.6 percent but only attempted three threes per game. Walker took 17 shots per game overall with 7.5 of those coming from long range. A better long-ball threat, he'd open the floor and create better spacing for others.

What would it take to get him: Like in the example for Leonard, it would take Bogdanovic or Collison being fully guaranteed and the Hornets’ desire to have either. If they’d unload Walker, this franchise would be rebuilding. That also would mean since they’re giving up the only All-Star in the deal they’d want a draft pick or to unload a bad contract to give them the cap flexibility that they lack. When a team acquires a player's contract, that includes his Bird rights which allows that team to exceed the cap to keep him.

The risk: Walker is an unrestricted free agent in 2019, too, so there’s the threat of him walking away. Also, consider the chemistry that has to be there with Oladipo. There are enough shots for both but one can't take away from the other. With Collison, there's no risk of that happening.

Cap-o-nomics: Charlotte's situation isn't ideal. It has less than $4 million under the tax line and over the cap by almost $19 million. The Pacers are $5 million below the cap and will be about $30 million under the tax. They'd have room to take on another contract to provide that relief.

3. Marc Gasol

Jenna Watson/IndyStar

He's a true center who can average 18-20 points and 8-10 rebounds per game, the type of production the Pacers see enough from the middle. He's 33 years old and has played 10 seasons.

Why he'd fit: Gasol can spread from the five spot, a lot like Turner, but gives a team a true low-post presence. He can put the ball on the floor to create for himself and beat other bigs off the dribble. He's an excellent facilitator for anywhere in the post, like his brother Pau, which gets teammates open looks and would allow the Pacers to flow into some triangle principles to diversify their own offense. Defenses would have to honor Gasol more at the elbow with the ball which would open seams for back cuts and keep the restricted area clear for Oladipo.

What would it take to get him: The Grizzlies have a lot of movable pieces surrounding Gasol and Mike Conley. Would taking on a contract such as Chandler Parsons (owed almost $50 million next two seasons) be worth it if it nets Gasol? If the franchise is going to enter rebuilding it will need picks to do it and unloading a troublesome contract since its not a hotbed for free agents.

The risk: It becomes an either/or proposition with Young and Turner. With Gasol, even though he can stretch, does Turner move to the power forward spot to give the Pacers two bigs who can spread the floor? Or is it better to stick with the older Young because defensively he's just too valuable and find ways to make Gasol the spread option while allowing Young room in the post where he's more effective? The Hawks did a lot of this when they had Al Horford an Paul Millsap, using the four man (Millsap) in the post and having the five (Horford) play in the high post to execute handoffs and initiate the offense with the pass.