Indiana Pacers: 5 former Rick Carlisle players who can bolster the bench

The Indiana Pacers add vertical spacing with lob threat Willie Cauley-Stein

Why do the Indiana Pacers need another big, you say? It’s because Rick Carlisle loves to have flexibility with his big men. Willie Cauley-Stein‘s athleticism and threat as a reliable finisher should bring a new dimension to the team’s big man rotation.

The springy seven footer played more consistent minutes in the previous season with Rick Carlisle and the Mavericks, alternating between starter and bench duty, though his niche remained the same. As one of the team’s designated lob threats and hard rollers, along with Dwight Powell, Cauley-Stein registered a career-high 63.2 field goal percentage.

Adding him would be more viable if ever the front office breaks the Turbonis duo apart, but even as thing currently stand, he can give Carlisle an added layer of protection against injuries, while providing the team with some vertical spacing not present in any of the team’s big men.