Indiana Pacers: Which Indiana natives could return home?

Could the Indiana Pacers pursue Cody Zeller in free agency?

If the Pacers indeed trade one of their centers in an effort to play smaller next season, signing Cody Zeller on a cheaper deal in free agency could be a good depth move. While Goga Bitadze is still under contract and has shown potential, Zeller has been a very solid big man with the Hornets for several years.

Over the course of eight seasons, Zeller has averaged 8.7 points, 6.0 rebounds, and has shot an effective field goal percentage of 52.4%. In just the past three seasons, he has posted 10.3 points, 6.9 rebounds, and has shot 55.4 percent.

He has gotten a bit better over time but his inability to shoot the three has limited his game as a modern-day center. The door would be open for a potential sign-and-trade with the Hornets this summer in which the Pacers send Myles Turner to Charlotte in exchange for Zeller and other assets.

If the Pacers could land either Miles Bridges or P.J. Washington along with Cody Zeller, they could walk away pretty content with the deal. That would also allow Sabonis to serve as the lone center with Zeller and Bitadze splitting time off the bench.

I am not sure what Cody Zeller’s market is going to be when he hits the market but if the Pacers have a chance to add him as a depth option, it would not be the worst plan in the world.

Verdict: Sign Zeller as a backup if the price is right

This one is a lot trickier because we do not know the role that Zeller wants or expects with his next contract. He can still be a very solid big man with a high motor on both ends and his fit as the backup to Sabonis would be worth exploring.