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Indiana Pacers: Early 2021 Free Agency Big Board to fill roster holes

By Shayler Neal

Talen Horton-Tucker (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. 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.
Talen Horton-Tucker (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) 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. 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. /
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Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday: Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Indiana Pacers guard Aaron Holiday: Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

The Indiana Pacers need another guard to fortify the backcourt

Since the Bjorkgren era started, the Pacers haven’t necessarily struggled to score. But that doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t have a need for scorers. The system Coach Bjorkgren has set up emphasizes high tempo and maximum possessions. With the recent surge in Aaron Holiday’s offensive assertiveness, the Pacers have had better production off the bench.

However, you never want to be in a situation where you have to call up a G-League player or sign a 10-day contract and put them into the storm because you have a lack of guard play. These affordable guards can play the one or two and can lead an offense, if utilized.

Cheap Combo Guard Target for the Indiana Pacers: Brad Wanamaker

Brad Wanamaker (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
Brad Wanamaker (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

Currently a guard in the Hornets’ rotation, Brad Wanamaker has had a career year in Charlotte. Playing 20 minutes a game at the guard position with players like LaMelo Ball, Devonte Graham, and Terry Rozier on the roster, Wanamaker has alerted the league that he is more than capable in a pivotal bench role at the point guard position.

Playing overseas before getting signed by Boston, Wanamaker was 29 years old in his rookie season. It might not seem like it, but he is one of the most experienced veteran point guards on the market this offseason, and could help run our offense in a complimentary role and get a bucket or two down the stretch for an affordable price. What more could you ask for?

Solid Cheap Combo Guard Target for the Indiana Pacers: E’Twaun Moore

E’Twaun Moore (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
E’Twaun Moore (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

E’Twaun Moore has a glorious history in the state of Indiana and has had a long NBA career as your prototypical combo guard. It would only make sense to reunite. Moore has spent the past season on the Phoenix Suns in a reduced role from his time in New Orleans, where he averaged over 10 PPG over 4 seasons with the Pelicans.

He’s had several healthy DNPs down the stretch, and doesn’t seem to have much of a future in Phoenix. He also might be one of the best scoring guards you’ve never heard of. Moore would be given more opportunity to have impact in Indiana.

Man, would it be nice to see the veteran spend some of his last seasons in the league representing Indiana. Bring him home, Pritchard!

Solid (not cheap) Combo Guard Target for the Indiana Pacers: Talen Horton-Tucker

Talen Horton-Tucker (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Talen Horton-Tucker (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

You can argue Talen Horton-Tucker is one of the biggest free agents this offseason, and signing him wouldn’t be easy. But, if the Pacers were able to snatch him away from the Lakers, it would give them a future superstar and their point guard of the future.

At 20 years old, Talen Horton-Tucker has NBA executives across the league foaming at the mouth with his skill and trajectory, and the vast majority of that has to do with his play this season. Mostly off the bench, Horton-Tucker has shown a knack for scoring the basketball in droves, and he’s doing it on the Lakers, where the stakes are high. Although he is listed as a shooting guard at 6’4, Talen has played a lot of Point Guard as well, especially with LeBron and Schroder out with injuries.

His Per 36 minutes statistics are really good, at 16.2 PPG, 5.1 APG, and 4.7 RPG. He is a restricted free agent, meaning the Lakers have the opportunity to match the highest offer, but the offers are going to be pretty high.  The Lakers will have a big decision to make, as they can only spend so much, and the Pacers could be one of those teams that pressures the Lakers to let him walk.

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