What They're Saying: Ian Mahinmi Trade Reports

What They're Saying: Experts on Mahinmi Trade Reports

We took a quick spin around the Internet to see what the experts are saying about the Pacers reported trade of Darren Collison and Dahntay Jones for Ian Mahinmi ( Photo gallery »).

From Brian Goldsmith: "Yes, they drafted Miles Plumlee, but the Pacers needed a proven backup for Hibbert. Plumlee will need time to develop. While that happens, Mahinmi is quite capable of providing quality minutes off the bench. ... "Getting a solid backup for Hibbert is a step in the right direction. Moving the contracts and roster spots of Collison and Jones frees the Pacers up to make some more moves, and in the process, improve that bench."

From Matt Moore, Senior NBA Blogger: "It gives the Pacers tons of length, but also a lot of money invested on two centers without a lot of experience (though Mahinmi is hardly green and played a pivotal role on the Mavs' 2011 championship team). ... Everyone seems to win in this transaction, but there are gambles on both sides."

Nathan S.: "The move is certainly surprising for the Pacers, who have opted in Larry Bird's tenure to "trade up" in talent, but the first true move under Kevin Pritchard and Donnie Walsh is the Pacers trading for size.

Jared Wade interview with Rob Mahoney, author of a book on the Dallas Mavericks championship: "Mahinmi has put together a nice little repertoire over the years. He grew into a wonderful pick-and-roll finisher opposite Jason Terry. He worked on his mid-range touch and became relatively consistent in spotting up from about 15 feet. He honed a post move or two even if he hasn’t gotten much of a chance to work from the block. He’s a mobile defender, and active shot blocker, and a hard worker."

Jeff Caplan: [D]elivered Dallas it's new starting point guard. No, not Deron Williams, but Darren Collison, an exciting, fearless and team-focused 24-year-old selected four spots ahead of Rodrigue Beaubois in the 2009 draft."

Pacers Insider Mike Wells: "I like the deal. No matter what anybody says, Collison was not going to settle for being George Hill’s backup next season. It wasn’t going to work long term, especially after Collison started 56 games last season."

Kelly Dwyer: This isn't a terrible trade for Indiana, and Mahinmi is going to be making less than the league's average salary while providing an athletic backup's play at a position that has seen too many power forwards masquerading as centers try to man. Still, couldn't the Pacers have waited this out, gone over the cap, and used an exception on the former Maverick?