Indiana Pacers: 4 former players that would have helped this season

Wesley Matthews could have helped space the floor and provide shooting

The Indiana Pacers are bottom-two in the NBA in terms of 3-pointers attempted, something that they’re not necessarily looking to change. They’ve provided themselves on strong defense and not letting the game’s pace get to an uncontrollable level, something that 3-pointers might sacrifice if they suddenly injected more.

Wesley Matthews could have helped space the floor a bit for players like Domantas Sabonis by simply standing on the perimeter and taking a few shots this game, a role he’s filled with the Milwaukee Bucks that has allowed Giannis Antetokounmpo to take an astonishing amount of his shots at the rim.

Matthews started all his games for the Pacers last year, something he probably wouldn’t have done if he were with the team this year. T.J. Warren is probably the better long-term fit in the starting lineup than Matthews, a big reason why the team didn’t pursue re-signing Matthews this summer.

Still, if they were able to rotate him into the second unit, it would’ve certainly helped space the floor in those moments where Myles Turner wasn’t on the court. He would provide further depth to an already deep team, and his five years of playoff experience would have helped keep the team on the straight and narrow if and when the playoffs arrive.