Indiana Pacers: 3 free agents to pry away from the Los Angeles Lakers

Indiana Pacers free target from the Lakers: Markieff Morris

Before everyone starts firing their smoking guns, first of all, Markieff Morris is the most viable free agent remaining on the Lakers who can find a reasonable fit with the Indiana Pacers. At this point of his career, he’s more of an insurance player, and since the Blue and Gold don’t really have a reliable backup big aside from a theoretically better Goga Bitadze, hold your fire.

Unlike his brother, he’s not much of a scorer or a shooter, only registering 6.7 points on 31.1 percent shooting from downtown in 19.7 minutes per outing. What he is good at though, is being an enforcer with his defense and physicality. He’s only 6’9, but he’s played heavy duty as a small-ball 5 since last season.

Morris can be a great frontcourt piece to slot in next to Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis in spurts if two-big configurations don’t work. Both centers are also prone to fouling (and injuries), so having a more proven commodity like the 31-year-old may prove to be a better route to take in tense situations. Bitadze has loads of potential, but until he realizes it, Morris could be a great placeholder for the young center.