The Pacers continue to fill out the edge of the roster, adding Elijah Stewart on a contract with an Exhibit 10 clause.
The Pacers all but finalized their professional roster for the coming season today. They signed second-round pick Alize Johnson to his first professional contract, which tied up every loose end remaining in roster construction.
As a result of the Johnson signing, the Pacers front office shifted its focus. The final step(s) for management is now to add one more player on a two-way contract as well as fill out the training camp roster. A move they made Monday addressed one, and possibly both, of those steps.
Indiana is bringing in undrafted rookie Elijah Stewart from USC. He was signed to an NBA contract with an Exhibit 10 clause. Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports had the news:
Sources: Undrafted USC guard Elijah Stewart has agreed to a one-year, Exhibit 10 deal with the Indiana Pacers.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 16, 2018
Stewart had a four-year college career at USC. He started 102 games in four seasons as a Trojan but was undrafted in the 2018 NBA draft. In college, he was a 39 percent three-point shooter, which is far and away his most NBA developed skill.
In his senior season, Stewart averaged 11.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. He is alright enough on defense, but his game is overall just around average. Being a knockdown shooter is his best chance of making it in the NBA.
Stewart’s contract, as it stands, is a one year deal at the minimum salary. But it has an exhibit 10 clause, which shakes things up. It means that the Pacers have the option to convert the deal to a two-way contract at any time prior to the regular season. Additionally, none of Stewart’s salary is guaranteed, so the Pacers can waive him at any time with no financial penalty. The deal is essentially a contract that allows Stewart to try out for the Pacers.
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The Pacers will be filling out the training camp roster over the coming months. Elijah Stewart is the first guy on many. He will have an opportunity to make the team if he impresses in camp, so he is a guy to watch out for over the coming months.