Another season in the books, another playoffs where the Pacers are left watching from their respective sofas. This marks the second year running. It's a streak that Larry Bird will surely want to snap if he can help it. So where does this once proud franchise go from here? It starts first and foremost with the draft. If a franchise wants to be successful, they have to be able to develop their own talent. Trades and signings can help improve a roster, but that isn't how one typically builds a contending core (the Detroit Pistons are the exception, not the rule). No one has drafted better than the San Antonio Spurs, and that's why they're looking for their 5th championship in the past 10 seasons. Tim Duncan? Tony Parker? Manu Ginobili? Developed. Developed. Developed. I'm not saying the Pacers are going to hit the jack-pot and draft the next Tim Duncan, but as a fellow small-market team, I think there are a few things they can surely use from the Spurs. This franchise has to be able to draft well to get back to being a contender again, and it starts this season with presumably the #11 pick in the draft (don't hold your breath for a Top 3 pick Pacer fans, with a 3% chance you'll die of suffocation). So where do we look? Who are some of the prospects? I think it has to start at PG. Luckily, the Pacers' brass has given up Jamaal Tinsley as a starter. I swear if they had tried to sell the fans again on that, I would've had to browse for a sale in the Sunday paper for pitchforks and flaming torches (Home Depot anyone?) as well as mapquest directions to Conseco Fieldhouse. Fortunately, this isn't the case. Jim O'Brien closed the volatile and often depressing Jamaal Tinsley era by saying the team can't count on him to stay healthy and is looking to move on. Good luck  finding a taker. I'm sure Larry's phone is ringing off the hook to acquire an injury prone, trouble making PG with 20+ million left on his contract over the course of three years. Maybe we can have a buy one, get one free and include Troy Murphy....wait, Isiah's not in power anymore is he? Squash that idea.
             Ok, to the prospects. DJ Augustin and Russell Westbrook both fit the bill at #11. Augustin is undersized, but he's been a flat-out playmaker  during his time as a Texas Longhorn. He could end up as good as Damon Stoudamire (Toronto days) or as bad as DaShaun Wood (Who? Is right).  Meanwhile, Westbrook is considered a super-sleeper. His numbers weren't off the charts at UCLA, but there's a lot of room for growth with his out-of-the-gym athleticism and defensive tenacity. I'm not sure he can play the point full-time, but time will tell.
              What we don't need is another small-forward. Sorry Larry, no Danilo Gallinari. No Joe Alexander. This team has more than enough talent at the small-forward position with Danny Granger, Mike Dunleavy, and Shawne Williams all claiming it as their natural position.  We could also use some front-court depth, particularly at center. I, for one, am saying no to UCLA's Kevin Love though. Sure, he's fundamentally sound across the board, but what was already a rather slow and unathletic team last season becomes even more slow and unathletic. Is that even possible? I love Texas A&M's DeAndre Jordan's potential, but what I don't like is his lack of drive and passion towards the game. A voice in my head keeps whispering David Harrison. It's probably well-deserved too as both are talented 7 footers who could and should be a lot more productive than they are.  
             Ok, ok, so who do I like? I tend to like OSU's Kosta Koufos the most. He has a soft touch from outside and has the frame and skills to be a force inside too. Florida's Mareesse Speights interests me too, I think he can become a better offensive Antonio Davis, and provide the type of bruiser that Jermaine O'Neal needs next to him at this stage in his career.                                      
           Speaking of Jermaine O'Neal, it looks like it will be yet another summer of trade rumors involving him. One that looks like it could have some steam is the Stephon Marbury for Jermaine O'Neal swap. Donnie Walsh has taken over the reigns in New York, and it seems possible that he could take a gamble on Jermaine to provide his new coach D'Antoni with an inside presence at least for the two seasons remaining on Jermaine's contract. Does it make sense for the Pacers though? Maybe, if the Pacers believe Marbury can still run a solid point. However, there's also the issue of Marbury's character. I can't really pass judgement because I've never been in a Marbury-led locker room. I can't see the cost-conscious Simon Bros. simply buying him out though. The Josh Howard for Jermaine O'Neal rumor was stopped before it even started. Would the Pacers acquire another player with questionable character? The answer is a resounding no (at least that's the hope).     
           Don't expect much in free agency as the Pacers are cap-strapped and don't really have much wiggle to do much of anything. Maybe we'll find another diamond in the rough like a Kareem Rush, or maybe not. Either way, it looks like this will be a busy and active offseason for the Pacers. It's also one that they can't afford to be watching the Boston Threeparty or The Kobeshow for long. There's too much work to be done and too much to change in Pacerland. For a team looking to avoid a three-peat of not making the playoffs, they better get moving.