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

Former Indiana Pacers wing Wesley Matthews brings experience and on and off-court intangibles

Not only has Wesley Matthews played for Rick Carlisle in Dallas, but it should be noted that the veteran wing also played briefly for the Indiana Pacers in the 2018-19 season. While his decline has gone on a steep trajectory, he can still play at a high level as a 3-and-D bench piece and provide a stabilizing veteran voice on the team.

As a bench player for the Los Angeles Lakers in the recently-concluded campaign, the 12-year veteran tallied career-lows across the board, including a paltry 33.5 percent clip on triples. His defense is still as active and physical as advertised, but his three-point stroke has gotten to a point where defenders are comfortable with him sapping shots from better scorers.

However, all of those may have been a result of the Lakers’ general mediocrity on offense this season. At his best, he can still defend at an above average rate and hit enough open triples to punish defenders while fortifying a Pacers locker room lacking true veteran leadership.