8 points, 9 seconds
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There’s no shortage of players on the free agent market for the Pacers

By Jordan Brandenburg

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 17: The Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations, Kevin Pritchard is introduced to the media during a press conference at the Indiana Pacers Training Facility at St. Vincent Center on December 17, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 17: The Indiana Pacers President of Basketball Operations, Kevin Pritchard is introduced to the media during a press conference at the Indiana Pacers Training Facility at St. Vincent Center on December 17, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Ricky Rubio vs the Pacers
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 19: Ricky Rubio #3 of the Utah Jazz dribbles the ball against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 19, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

Ricky Rubio

I know the reaction from the Pacers fan-base has been… mixed regarding the rumors of Indiana’s interest in the former starting point for the Jazz, but the veteran wouldn’t be a bad fit. After Utah acquired Mike Conley in a trade last week, the front office let Rubio know he wasn’t in their future plans.

With quite a few teams looking to add a reputable point, and only a handful of viable upgrades over Collison as the starter, the facilitator is worth examining.

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Rubio averaged 12.7 points and 6.1 assists in 68 games with the Jazz last year. Starting in all but one, he was paired alongside Donovan Mitchell in a lineup that also featured post-star Rudy Gobert. This meant the veteran was often relied on to create shots for Utah’s two primary scorers.

Seeing as Oladipo and Mitchell have a similar style of play offensively, the point guard, who has finished top-five overall in assists three times, could be a key point to unlocking opportunities for a young Indiana core.

The pass-first point would be expected to do exactly that in the Pacers system. As a 38.8% shooter overall, and 32.2% from deep, the veteran isn’t as respectable as many starting guards when it comes to shooting efficiency — especially in comparison to Collison, who nearly missed a 50-40-90 campaign two seasons ago.

Despite his below-averaging shooting from a distance, Rubio is a solid pick-and-roll player and attempted 56.1% of his shots at the basket last year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him thrive in a starting lineup next to Sabonis and Turner, both of whom set solid picks.

The 28-year-old is a better defender than many guards on the open market, and his above-average play could be amplified on a good defensive team like the Pacers.His 6’4″ frame allows him to guard multiple positions, which could be especially useful when Holiday is in the backcourt as well

Rubio led the league in steals during the 2013-14 campaign, and his 1.9 career steals per game is the second-highest among active NBA players. Next to Oladipo, who’s known for his ability to interrupt opponent’s possessions, the pair could be one of the better defensive backcourts in the association.

The image of Rubio in a Pacers uniform isn’t as attractive as the thought of Jrue Holiday, Conley, or Russell dawning one, no doubt. But the availability of those A-level point guards has diminished for the buyers market and Indiana’s front office may need to act fast in order to secure an upgrade to fill the vacancy in their starting lineup.

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