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Former Indiana Pacers guard Monta Ellis to work out with Timberwolves

By Tony East

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 13: Monta Ellis #11 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 13, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Timberwolves 107-103. 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 - NOVEMBER 13: Monta Ellis #11 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball against Kevin Garnett #21 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during a game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 13, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Pacers defeated the Timberwolves 107-103. 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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Monta Ellis was cut by the Indiana Pacers over a year ago. He is apparently drawing interest from an NBA team now.

You might have thought you had heard the last of Monta Ellis‘ name in the NBA. After he was waived and stretched by the Indiana Pacers at the conclusion of the 2016-17 seasons, no other teams picked him up in free agency and he spent the entire last season watching from afar.

While Monta is still unsigned, he is apparently working out with NBA teams. Or at least one team. The Athletic, specifically Shams Charania and Jon Krawczynski, is reporting that the Minnesota Timberwolves are going to workout Monta Ellis:

Pacers fans, we have reached the twilight zone. Andrew Bynum and Monta Ellis could be in the NBA next year. What a strange time of existence.

This workout is great news for Ellis, as we have not heard of many leads for him landing a roster spot since he was cut by Indiana over a year ago. But it could be hard for him to land in Minnesota – they are extremely close to the luxury tax line and it seems more likely that working out this group is just doing their due diligence, as Krawczynski points out in a follow-up tweet.

Ellis averaged 11.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 4.1 assists across two seasons in Indiana. Those stats aren’t terrible, but he was a locker room problem and received a five-game drug-related suspension. There just wasn’t room for him on the roster anymore, both as a player and a distraction to the team’s success.

It should also be noted that another former Pacer is on that list of Wolves workout candidates: Brandon Rush. He spent three seasons in Indiana before ping-ponging around the NBA. His most recent stop was, ironically, Minnesota back in the 2016-17 season.

Next. Assessing the Indiana Pacers’ Divisional opponents: Milwaukee Bucks. dark

Who knows if Monta Ellis will make the Timberwolves or not. If he does, and he gets a minimum contract, he would be paid $2.4 million by Minnesota and $2.25 million from Indiana (thanks to the stretch provision) next season. That $4.65 million he would make next year is still more than quite a few players on the Indiana Pacers roster next season. Whether Ellis actually makes a team or not remains to be seen, but the former Pacer is as close as he has been in a while.

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