The Indiana Pacers had a 2022 filled with changes and pleasant surprises. From roster overhauls to surprise contributors, the franchise went from a stagnating bunch to a group poised to make noise in the league in the near future.
The roster-building only continues from here on out. So, as we welcome 2023, let’s try to make a wishlist of upcoming free agents who should fit well with the team’s core players considering the team’s needs and points of weaknesses.
5 free agents who should be on the Indiana Pacers 2023 wishlist
5. Rui Hachimura (RFA)
Since getting selected ninth in the 2019 NBA Draft, highly-touted prospect Rui Hachimura has had an up-and-down tenure with the Washington Wizards. After posting two solid seasons to kick off his career, he has seen his role with his team drop off in the last couple of years.
Still, Hachimura’s upside remains. Despite logging just 24 minutes per outing, the Japanese tweener has registered a career-high in field goal percentage, while his scoring output is not far off from his highest post despite the diminished court time.
Overall, with the Wizards unlikely to match an offer for Hachimura, the Pacers could swoop in and sign him to an offer sheet, giving them a forward packing size, athleticism, and youth that would fit in well with the team’s core and timeline.
5 free agents who should be on the Indiana Pacers 2023 wishlist
4. PJ Washington (RFA)
The Charlotte Hornets absolutely stink this season, with only the Detroit Pistons touting a worse record. Things are starting to look really bad in the Buzz City, meaning that a fire sale or a substantial restructuring could be imminent.
Thus, upcoming free agent PJ Washington could find himself touting different colorways next season. While the Hornets can match any offer sheet for the forward, he’s been involved in way too many trade rumors to realistically expect Charlotte to move heavens just to retain his services.
This is where the Indiana Pacers can make a bid for Washington. He’s still pretty young at 24, and most importantly, he’s a defensive-minded pseudo-big who is adept on the boards, can shoot threes at an above-average clip, and play all three frontcourt positions both offensively and defensively.
5 free agents who should be on the Indiana Pacers 2023 wishlist
3. Kyle Kuzma (Player Option)
If anything, Kyle Kuzma is the most surefire entry on this list to leave his current club. Rumors have already surfaced pointing to how the forward is a big flight risk for Washington moving forward, and that a trade could be in the works behind the scenes as we speak.
Kuzma’s lofty and borderline perplexing demands for his free agency destination is understandable give his off-court pizzazz. While the Indiana Pacers resemble none of that as a landing spot, the team has more than sufficient upside as a collective to entice him to join the ride and shun more sparkling destinations, especially if the front office can shelf out a lucrative sum for his services, which they definitely can.
Kuzma’s much improved all-around game as a versatile forward who can score in isolation opprotunities, catch-and-shoot and cut as an off-ball threat, chase rebounds, defend multiple positions, and serve as a secondary release valve on offense are all welcome tidbit that the Pacers have always needed and will certainly welcome from their frontcourt.
5 free agents who should be on the Indiana Pacers 2023 wishlist
2. Grant Williams (RFA)
Speaking of players who have made big leaps, Boston’s Grant Williams deserves his flowers. The burly forward has been one of the more important players for the Celtics for the last couple of years, and watching him play will give you an idea of how valuable he is beyond the confines of the boxscore.
Nothing about Williams’ game screams outstanding, but that’s his very appeal. His sheer malleability on both ends of the floor stands out among his peers. His tremendously improved three-point shot, on-court awareness, hustle and knack for 50-50 plays, physical defensive game, and positional flexibility are what make him such an ideal piece for the Indiana Pacers.
Fortunately, despite the Celtics touting the best record in the association and looking poised to book another Finals appearance, their payroll might be too burdensome to justify paying Williams his projected cost. This is where the Pacers should capitalize and snag him from the Beantown in order to substantially fortify their frontcourt.
5 free agents who should be on the Indiana Pacers 2023 wishlist
1. Cameron Johnson (RFA)
If the Indiana Pacers want to double down on their offensive potential without squandering much defensive upside, then Phoenix Suns forward Cameron Johnson could be a good target in free agency. While he is currently sidelined due to injury, the fourth-year player out of North Carolina is exactly the type of player the team has needed for years.
Johnson’s biggest asset is his three-point shooting. Dating back to the previous campaign, he has been draining his threes at a very good 42.5 percent clip on six attempts per outing despite playing just a hair above 26 minutes per game.
The Suns forward is not just a one-trick pony, though. While not the most athletic or agile stalwart, he is pretty capable of defending multiple positions, using his smarts to always be in an ideal position on D and adjust well to team concepts. His rebounding and passing need a lot of work, but his maturity (just 0.6 turnovers per game for his career) gives sufficient credence that he is a rather foolproof target for the Blue and Gold in free agency.