The Pacers are in a state of flux at the moment. Point Guards Jeff Teague and Aaron Brooks are set to be a free agents, leaving only Joe Young.
This year’s free agent class has several high-end point guards. It is very unlikely that the Pacers are ready to hand over the keys to Joe Young, so they will need to find a floor general this offseason.
Finding a quality point guard can help the Pacers in more ways than one. Obviously they need a playmaker, but having a veteran who knows what he’s doing would seriously help the inevitable youth movement get a running start. A seasoned point guard would help make sure the young guys learn everything the right way.
With salary caps constantly rising and a loaded free agency, the Pacers should be able to add talent to the roster. Point guards are at a premium this year with plenty of big names available.
That being said, let’s look at some potential options for the Pacers come free agency and how they stack up. First up, keeping it simple.
Jeff Teague
The easy choice for the Pacers is too bring back Jeff Teague. He knows the system and has a year with the team under his belt. He had a breakout year with the Pacers last season, posting a career-high 7.8 assists per game. It was also Teague’s best year from the free-throw line since 2012-13, as he shot 86.7 percent from the line.
Durability has never been an issue for Teague. He played in all 82 games for Indiana last year and has missed just 12 games since 2014. It is always a bonus when a starter can play every single night.
Consistency has also been a huge staple of Teague’s game. He has hovered around 14-16 points per contest since the 2012-13 season. With Teague, you know what you’re going to get night in and night out.
Where the Pacers may be handcuffed is the salary. Point guards are getting paid the big bucks and Teague is likely another one of those guys. His 2017-18 salary is likely to be on the plus side of $20 million. The Pacers can offer that kind of money as they are projected to have $26.5 million in cap space. However, other big-name options could be in play.
Kyle Lowry
Toronto’s Kyle Lowry opted out of his contract last month, making him an unrestricted free agent. Like Teague, Lowry is going to cost a ton. He formed an incredible backcourt with DeMar Derozan in Toronto and Indiana could look to give him the keys to a very young Pacers team.
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While the price is hefty, it could be worth it. An All-Star for three straight seasons, Lowry has grown into an excellent player. He has averaged 17.8 points in each of the last four seasons, including at least 21 in each of the last two.
His scoring and playmaking ability will make him a highly touted free agent this summer, and the Pacers may very well be a suitor.
The only major concern for Lowry comes via recent injuries. He missed 22 regular season games with a wrist injury, then missed two more playoff games with an ankle injury. At 31, durability will be something to keep an eye on.
82 games or not, Lowry has the potential to be a great Pacer. However, I wouldn’t bet on Lowry leaving Derozan and Toronto.
A more reasonable name for the Pacers has had his fair share of injury concerns and an unclear future.
Jrue Holiday
Jrue Holiday‘s future is unclear at the moment. New Orleans has some big decisions to make this offseason, and they could let their point guard walk. If that is the case, Indiana should be very interested.
The price for Holiday will be much lower than the other big names available. He may not have the most consistent jump shot or great range, but he is still a quality scorer. Outside of his rookie season, Holiday has averaged between 13.5 and 17.7 points per game. He is shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 36.6 percent from deep in his career.
Holiday finds open teammates and makes the plays the point guards are asked to make. His size allows him to contribute on the defensive end as well.
A common focal point here, injuries are a huge issue for Holiday. He has only played all 82 games once in his career (though playing 78 in 2012-13). Since the 2012-13 season, Holiday has played 34, 40, 65, and 67 games. Numerous injuries have set back the once promising star, but he could still be a valuable asset to a not-so-far away team.
I wouldn’t be opposed to the Pacers singing Holiday and saving some cap for another role player.
Patty Mills
Patty Mills played for Gregg Popovich. That alone should make him a max-deal player.
Of course I’m only joking. However, Mills has shown that he can space the floor and knock down open shots. He won’t require the money the others on this list will and he will be almost just as beneficial. He isn’t flashy or dominant, but he can manage a game and run the offense. His shooting ability stands out above anything else.
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Coming from San Antonio and Gregg Popovich, Mills has learned the game inside and out. He takes care of the ball, averaging under one turnover per game in his career. On the flip side, his assist numbers are down. Mills doesn’t give it away, but he also doesn’t dish it out to scorers. His assist-to-turnover ratio is just slightly better than 2:1.
His minutes have been limiting, having never played more than 21.9 minutes per game. This is both good and bad. He has tread on his tires still, but he doesn’t have experience playing heavy minutes. While I don’t think a jump into starters’ minutes will be too much to handle, it may take some time.
Another former Spur could also be a target for the Pacers, and Pacers fans love him.
George Hill
Ah, yes. George Hill is a free agent and the Pacers may be interested. A local kid and former Pacer, Hill may be the glue that keeps Paul George and the Pacers together. Hill was shipped to Utah when Indiana traded for Jeff Teague last summer, but he could make his way back home this summer. We know he is a defensive force to be reckoned with, and this year his offense took off.
In his first (and only?) year in Utah, Hill had a career-high in points at 16.9 points per game. He also had one of his best years in overall shooting percentage and assists. While his turnovers rose a little bit, he was still the missing link for the Jazz. He led the team to the playoffs for the first time in five years.
As a Pacers fan, you have to love George Hill. He was a huge factor in our ECF runs with Miami. With any free agency speculation, though, there’s a catch.
Next: Pacers announce Summer League roster
Reports have stated that Hill is waiting on Jazz teammate Gordon Hayward to make a decision. And no, I am not going to say we will land both of those guys, no matter how much I want it to happen.