Currently, the Indiana Pacers find themselves in a limbo between being a good team that should make a playoff push and a bad team that should aim for draft odds. While fans are divided about the right course of action, if the Pacers make a playoff push, there are upcoming free agents that could really bolster the rotation if they can be traded for and extended before the deadline.
The biggest glaring hole on the team is the depth at the forward position, with the guard and center rotation relatively solidified. Therefore, this article looks at upcoming forwards that are about to become free agents that the Pacers could sign to strengthen the forward rotation.
Upcoming free agent forwards the Indiana Pacers could target to bolster the roster
5. Cam Reddish
Cam Reddish was a lottery pick out of Duke that looked very promising as a prospect. As a professional, he has averaged just over 10 points a game for the Knicks. The Knicks also find themselves in the middle of the Eastern Conference, and likely do not know whether to try and win or aim for draft odds.
If they decide to trade away some talent, Cam Reddish who becomes a free agent at the end of the year, may be a potential trade target for the Pacers. He is shooting over 30% from the three point line and has been a relatively efficient scorer in his time in New York. However, to this point this season, he has been underperforming only averaging 6.8 points a game this season (10.2 for his career). This means he could be a prime candidate for a depth add for a team like the Pacers.
Upcoming free agent forwards the Indiana Pacers could target to bolster the roster
4. PJ Washington
PJ Washington is currently playing for a Charlotte Hornets team that lacks an identity. While the organization seemed to be trending up for a while on the back of Lamelo Ball, it appears the trajectory is currently stalled. They are currently sitting at 3-11, and look much worse than they have in years prior. This may mean the team will be soon ready to part ways with some talent on the roster.
PJ Washington has looked good for the Hornets since he was drafted out of Kentucky. In his career he is averaging 12 points a game to go along with 5.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists with heavy usage (29.4 minutes per game). There have been multiple trade rumors between the Hornets and the Pacers in the last few years that have seemingly never materialized. This would be the perfect opportunity for the Pacers if they would like to strengthen their forward depth.
From day one, PJ Washington would instantly be a contributor off of the bench, and be able to play heavy minutes of needed. At 6’7 and 230 he would also be able to potentially guard slightly larger forwards, a position that the Pacers have struggled with in recent years.
Upcoming free agent forwards the Indiana Pacers could target to bolster the roster
3. Cameron Johnson
Cam Johnson if off to a great start in the 22-23 season racking up 13 points per game to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists, on 45% shooting and 43% from three. Additionally, he has been able to accomplish this in just over 25 minutes per game. Cam Johnson also has the length that may be needed to guard some bigger power forwards the Pacers may face at the top of the eastern conference. His finals experience on the Pacers would be icing on the cake.
While the Suns are not likely in the business of trading off talent given they are in a win-now mode, there is a chance they would be willing to part with some of their current rotation if it allowed them to strengthen a position of need in the short term. If they can make amends with current forward Jae Crowder, the need for Cam Johnson becomes even less.
Additionally, Johnson just underwent knee surgery so there is a chance that the Pacers could get value for him if there is any concern on the Suns part about Johnson’s long term health. And the Pacers and Suns have generally made good trade partners in the past, working on deals for players such as TJ Warren and Jalen Smith. With the relationship there and the need potentially presenting itself, the Sun may be willing to part ways with the soon-to-be free agent for the right price.
Upcoming free agent forwards the Indiana Pacers could target to bolster the roster
2. Matisse Thybulle
While Matisse Thybulle is a bit more of a shooting guard than a forward, he certainly is capable of playing the forward position when called upon. Since getting drafted out of Washington, Matisse Thybulle has been a consistently good rotation player for the 76ers.
Currently, Thybulle is not getting a whole lot of minutes with the 76ers only averaging 11.8 minute per game, down from 21 per game for his career. Additionally, he is only averaging 1.5 points per game in the 22-23 season. However, for his career, his numbers looks much better at 21 minutes per game with 44% field goal shooting and 32% from three. He doesn’t turn the ball over much and would be a versatile off-the-bench player the Pacers could get for relatively cheap.
Where Thybulle shines to a large extent is on the other side of the ball, earning two All-Defensive team selections in his three years in the league. This could be of great benefit to the Pacers who have largely struggled on that side of the ball since Carlisle returned to Indiana. With players like Haliburton and Mathurin posing offensive threats to the other team, Thybulle could come in and be the defensive stopper neither of those players can be. Additionally, his versatility and speed would easily allow for him to guard 1-3 on the court and potentially small 4’s as well.
Upcoming free agent forwards the Indiana Pacers could target to bolster the roster
1. Grant Williams
Grant Williams was linked to the Pacers in trade rumors over the summer, and he is likely just as good a fit now as he was then. He has been a central part of the Celtics rotation of late and was a valuable contributor in their run to the finals last season. There are multiple things that Grant Williams could bring to the Pacers locker room.
First, is his play. Grant Williams has been a great defender while in Boston and had improved his 3-point shoot tremendously since his time in Tennesse, averaging 50% from deep this season. His overall field goal percentage is 61% this year and he is averaging 9.5 points per game. Additionally, he is averaging almost 2 assists and 5 rebounds.
Second, Grant Williams would bring additional youth, aggressiveness, and leadership to the Pacers roster. He has finals experience from his time in Boston, as well has showed the ability to play impressive defense and bring energy to the Celtics squad. One bigger plus to Grant Williams is that he fits the Pacers timeline nearly perfectly at 23 years old. At 6’6” and 230 he is the perfect size to guard both small and power forwards across the NBA.
Who do you think we missed on our list? Comment below.