How close are the Pacers from becoming a legit East contender?

[Real Deal]

C - Roy Hibbert

PF - Tyler Hansbrough

SF - Danny Granger, Brandon Rush, James Posey

SG - Paul George, Dahntay Jones, Lance Stephenson

PG - Darren Collison, George Hill, AJ Price

 

Of course, the Pacers are going to look for backup bigs, or they will try and bring back McRoberts, Foster, and Jones...but, with what they have today, how close are the Pacers from being that 50+ win East team that can give a top three seed a run for their money in a seven-game series? What pieces do they need, other than backup big men? Can they get there with Granger as their franchise player, or will he need to take a backseat to a guy the Pacers need to bring in?

[Dash]

I could see them giving a top team fits in a early playoff series (like they did this past post-season) but they're still a year or two away from becoming a contender themselves. 4 of their 5 starters are 25 years old or younger (one is only 21), nothing they can do about that but continue to develop and have management add more pieces through the draft or trades.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Dash

[Erick Blasco]

Extremely far. They don't have anybody who can get to the rim and finish, and Granger isn't a next level player. They'll be fighting for an 8-seed next year.

[AboveLegit]

They should try and trade Granger for a legitimate post option, I really don't see Hansborough being that starting PF down the road. Maybe go for Al Jefferson, seems like a logical deal for both sides. Psycho T is best suited for the 6th man position, he'd make the bench very strong and would give them a good scoring option.

 

Then they should try and sign a player such as Wilson Chandler. Imagine a defense with both Paul George and Chandler on the perimeter, not to mention they also spread the floor with their three point shooting.