Indiana Pacers: 3 options to replace TJ Warren in free agency

Bobby Portis would be a tremendous addition to the Indiana Pacers frontcourt

Despite us raving about the Indiana Pacers’ frontcourt collection right now, in reality, the team is far from secured in that area for the future. Save for Isaiah Jackson and Myles Turner, the team has marginal contribution from its other big men in the roster in light of Smith being a bona fide flight risk in free agency, Goga Bitadze being a forgettable piece, and Terry Taylor being better off as depth insurance.

Hence, the Pacers should continue to look into adding to and bolstering their frontcourt. One player that they could target is Bobby Portis, who has been enjoying a career-year as a starter for the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks.

Now why would he leave such a perfect situation? Money. Portis already took a massive discount with the reek of champagne and the chance to defend the title still kicking in. With a player option, he could very well decide that it’s time to cash in. And the hard-capped Bucks may not have sufficient ammo to ink him to a richer deal barring a cap-relief move.

Prospectively, Portis could function as a starter or a super-sub, playing next to Turner and Jackson as a floor-spacing big man who can rebound tenaciously while doubling as a key defensive cog. He’s not as good as Turner or even his own teammate Brook Lopez in deterring shots, but he’s easily a more tenable option in defending in space with his mobility.