Indiana Pacers: Ultimate 2021 NBA Free Agency Guide
Will the Indiana Pacers’ own free agents remain on board or sign elsewhere?
Doug McDermott
Easily the Indiana Pacers’ best free agent, the 6’7 sniper out of Creighton will easily attract a lot of suitors in free agency, especially coming off a season which saw him tally career-highs across the board.
While it’s in the team’s best interest to re-sign Doug McDermott, and they can easily do so as they have his Bird rights, the market for his in-demand skillset will undoubtedly enhance the odds of another team prying him away from the Circle City.
Still, the Pacers can simply re-up with him even if the team exceeds the salary cap, although their recent drafting of Chris Duarte and the emergence of Oshae Brissett gives them ample cushion to let him go, especially with his likely expensive price tag.
TJ McConnell
After another career-year of his own, TJ McConnell‘s previously stale market should be much better this offseason, especially with him being one of the league’s best playmakers off the bench and among the most disruptive backcourt defenders in the association in the prior campaign.
However, interest between both parties on new terms seems mutually strong, which shouldn’t be a surprise. McConnell simply flourished as the team’s de facto sixth man last season and the Indiana Pacers don’t really have another backup floor general at this juncture after dealing Aaron Holiday away.
JaKarr Sampson
The journeyman forward’s two-year tenure in Indiana could be coming to an end. Despite being a serviceable backup who can give the team a lift on defense and rebounding in spurts, there isn’t a clear pathway for him to return to the team for the third consecutive season.
However, it won’t be surprising if the Pacers bring him back as a quality depth piece, especially with this free agency class’ lack of realistic big man targets for the team and Rick Carlisle’s preference for different big men with various skillsets.
Non-guaranteed deals
Kelan Martin: Despite his late season surge which saw him play relatively well as a sparkplug off the bench, the Pacers will face a tough decision regarding his future. The front office has until August 7 to decide if they will waive him or guarantee his deal for next season, which is worth the veteran’s minimum.
Oshae Brissett: This is an easy call. Brissett is undoubtedly worth than his meager contract, cementing himself as one of the best bargains in the league. The young three-and-D adept should be a key rotation piece next season for Indiana.
Cassius Stanley: The upcoming sophomore simply lacked the court time to make an impact for the team last season. With an upcoming Summer League stint to help prove his worth, he could be a safe beneficiary of another modest deal this offseason.
Edmond Sumner: Kevin Pritchard has already announced that they will be picking up their team option for Sumner; an easy decision considering his improvement in the last campaign.