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Pacers might be signing Alize Johnson in the near future

By Ben Gibson

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Alize Johnson #24 of the Indiana Pacers shoots against Jeff Ledbetter #33 and Amida Brimah #37 of the San Antonio Spurs during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 07: Alize Johnson #24 of the Indiana Pacers shoots against Jeff Ledbetter #33 and Amida Brimah #37 of the San Antonio Spurs during the 2018 NBA Summer League at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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Alize Johnson — the No. 50 pick in the 2018 NBA draft — has impressed at Summer League and is expected to sign with the Indiana Pacers soon according to Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports.

With a motor that doesn’t stop and the ability to create in chaos, Alize Johnson is impressing the Indiana Pacers at the Las Vegas Summer League.

Enough, in fact, that according to Vigilant Sports’ Scott Agness, Johnson expects to sign a deal with the Pacers soon.

However, Pacers.com’s Mark Montieth pointed out today that Kevin Pritchard said in Monday’s press conference that the roster was all but set.

So, both guys know what they are talking about, but can they both be right?

Yes.

Agness is saying that Johnson expects to be signed soon, and Montieth is relaying Pritchard’s words.

It’s also worth noting Monteith/Pritchard said free agents. Indiana has Johnson’s draft rights, so he isn’t one unless Indiana would renounce those rights. Indiana technically only has 13 players signed right now, and if Johnson signs, it would be 14.

Another possible outcome is Johnson earning himself a two-way contract with the Pacers.

After signing Ben Moore and Alex Poythress to deals last season and only lightly using them, it makes sense that the Pacers could consider signing Alize to a two-way deal that gives them flexibility and Johnson time to hone his skills in the G-League.

And if a player is signed to a two-way deal, that doesn’t count as a roster spot, or at least one of the 15 full-time ones.

Indiana’s roster is already deep as first-round pick Aaron Holiday would be fighting more minutes behind the Pacers bevy of guards. While there’s more room for flexibility on Indiana’s wings, Johnson’s still a very raw player.

His 12.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists averages through two games are good signs, but his 41% shooting and trouble creating within the half-court are signs he needs work. But his ability to create for himself by chasing down rebounds and in scramble situations are the sort of things that can’t be taught. Indiana hopes to develop his game and eventually deploy him in their rotations.

Next: Diamond in the Rough? An Analysis of Alize Johnson

We’ll find out soon enough if the Pacers sign Johnson, but he is doing everything he can at the Summer League to convince Kevin Pritchard and the Pacers it is a good idea.

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