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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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Kenneth Faried vs the Pacers
Denver Nuggets’ forward Kenneth Faried (R) shoots as Indiana Pacers’ forward Thaddeus Young (L) tries to block during the NBA Global Game London 2017 basketball game between Indiana Pacers and Denver Nuggets at the O2 Arena in London on January 12, 2017. / AFP / Glyn KIRK (Photo credit should read GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images) /

Kenneth Faried

It’s been a few years since the Manimal has played significant minutes over the span of a season, but the rebounding specialist had a bit of a resurgence after hitting the buyout market and signing with the Houston Rockets in January.

Prior to his change of scenery, he averaged less than ten minutes on the court in 12 games with the Brooklyn Nets. It was a bit of a downfall after spending four years as a starter for the Nuggets where he averaged 11.4 points and 8.2 points over seven seasons.

After Clint Capela had surgery on an injured thumb, Faried was placed at the five spot and thrived during the best stint of his career. In his 25 regular season appearances with the Rockets, the forward averaged 12.9 points and 8.2 rebounds in 24.4 minutes on the floor. He finished the year shooting 58.9% overall and converted on 67.1% of his attempts in the paint, where over 60% of his points came from.

Even if the free agent isn’t seeing significant time, he’s able to visibly get the ball off the glass and disrupt an opponent’s post-play when he’s on the floor.

Even if the free agent isn’t seeing significant time, he’s able to visibly get the ball off the glass and disrupt an opponent’s post-play when he’s on the floor. The big man grabbed 16.8 rebounds per-100 possessions last season, with nearly forty percent coming off a teammate’s missed attempt. Over the span of his eight-year career, Faried’s offensive rebounds have finished top ten overall in four seasons.

The Manimal comes with defensive shortcomings that have plagued him over the entirety of his career. He’s slow and often will get burnt when a guard switches on to him, especially in pick-and-roll scenarios.

This flaw led to Faried only seeing limited minutes during Houston’s playoff battles against the Jazz and Warriors. Unfortunately, his defensive rating has only continued to worsen as his career has progressed, but limited minutes on a good defensive team could help mask this liability.

The veteran can’t be expected to positively impact a team for as many minutes as Young or Aminu, but he clearly shouldn’t be expected to. Behind three players who can play the center position (Turner, Sabonis, Bitadze), plus Leaf and McDermott receiving minutes at the four spot, Faried could see a reduced role while still aiding a Pacers team that struggles at grabbing boards, especially on the offensive end of the ball.

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