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Matthes’ Manifesto: The Pacers have options in free agency

By Jonathan Matthes

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 27: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks to the basket against Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 114-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 27: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers looks to the basket against Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on January 27, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers won 114-112. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using the photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics
BOSTON, MA – MAY 27: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics /

Guard

There are two players in this section and they are polar opposites. The first is Marcus Smart (G Celtics, 24 yrs, 10.2, 37/30/73, +2.4 A/T, $13.6M cap hold) the restricted free agent is a defensive ace, looking at times more strong safety than point guard. Pairing him next to Oladipo would create the most formidable defensive backcourt in the NBA. Two ballhawks with quick hands? How would you get through that.

The problem with Smart is the other side of the ball, he is a well below average shooter. For example Darren Collison shot 64% better from three. Your starting point guard can’t produce so little offensively.

But then again, he isn’t a point guard anymore. The Celtics have played him as the off-guard most of the time (77% in ’17-18) for the last three years.

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So, he’d have to be a second unit player in Indy. Since Boston can match, Indy might have to pay through the nose to snatch a backup away from the Celts, but the Pacers might not be the only team that would have interest.

Any team that is looking for a compliment to a shoot-first-and-second guard, will have an eye for a player like Smart. Look out for Dallas, Phoenix, and maybe Utah.

The second is Tyreke Evans (G Grizzlies, 29 yrs, 19.4, 45/40/79, +2.9 A/T, $3.9M cap hold) he’s angling for a big pay day, and just might get it.

Evans is at his best with the ball in his hands on offense. His usage rate of 28.4 led the Grizzlies, which would be the problem with the Pacers, because Oladipo should have the ball in his hands the most. And Evans hasn’t shined in situations where he has to share the ball, at least not yet.

If the Pacers signed Evans to be a starting wing player (he’d be an undersized small forward) they’d be taking a big gamble that he can produce big numbers in a role he’s never produced big numbers in. If they sign him to be a backup…well, how much would you spent on a back-up who just came off a career year at age 28, with other teams interested in his service?

Next: Matthes' Manifesto: A modest proposal

  • If you want to go navigate back to the beginning of Matthes’ Manifesto, click here.
  • To check out how the rest of the NBA affects the Pacers, click here.
  • To look at Indiana’s realistic targets in the draft, click here.
  • To see which guards they should target in trades, click here.
  • To see which forwards they should target in trades, click here.
  • To see which free agents they should target, click here.
  • For a modest proposal, click here.
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