Pacers win in Scola deal

The Indiana Pacers reached an agreement to acquire 33-year-old forward Luis Scola from the Phoenix Suns in exchange for Miles Plumleee, Gerald Green, and a lottery protected 2014 first-round draft pick. 

Indiana clawed their way into a seven-game series with the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals without all-star Danny Granger, who was sidelined for all but five games with knee issues. 

Acquiring Scola, the skilled Argentinian veteran, gives the Pacers a more viable offensive option than forward Tyler Hansbrough, who brings toughness and an eager presence on the offensive glass off the bench. Scola has been known to be a similar "garbage man" type, but with more finesse and court savvy; some would even argue that Hansbrough and Scola are both "dirty" players. With Scola, Pacers head coach Frank Vogel now has a more skilled option to back up starting forward David West, who like West, can operate out of the high-low with Roy Hibbert. 

The Pacers' front court was their greatest advantage without Scola, and it was the only advantage they had over the defending champs. Now, with a more bolstered front court, the return of Danny Granger, development from firecracker reserve Lance Stephenson, and the acquisition of back up point guard C.J. Watson for George Hill, the Indiana Pacers roster could be one of the most rounded in the league next season.

LINK: See why Tom Ziller from SB Nation writes that the Pacers could have the best team in the East with Scola.