This free agent could turn the Pacers into contenders

The Indiana Pacers are looking like a team that may only be a few pieces away from having something truly special. However, there are a few questions the team needs to answer before we will know how true that is.

The first, is the Myles Turner saga. Myles has already turned down an extension offer from the Pacers. If Turner is either traded or leaves in free agency, the Pacers could have a new additional need at starting center, which would complicate the formula a bit.

But if Myles decides to stay for a reasonable amount of money, then that opens the options for the Pacers quite a bit, but mainly at the forward position.

The Pacers need to find a power forward for their future

Using Jalen Smith at the four hasn’t looked promising, and the other options on the roster either are too center-like or aren’t good enough to be a starting power forward on a playoff contending team.

One option that is opening up for the Pacers this summer would be Harrison Barnes who is scheduled to become a free agent after the s

eason. Barne

s isn’t having a spectacular year, but he is averaging the following:

22-23 stats: 14.6 points, 5 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 48% FG, 34% FG3

While that isn’t going to be making an all-star team anytime soon, it is solid production from the four spot. When the Kings got Barnes from the Warriors, I’m sure they would see more development than they have, so they may be willing to let him walk if Barnes is given a reasonable offer.

While Barnes isn’t blowing anyone away with his play as of late, there are some major benefits to having him on the team. First, he naturally fits the power forward spot, which the Pacers haven’t had in years. Having someone that could go into the game and guard power forwards reasonably well could be a game changer rather than using an adapted center for stretching a guard to the four spot.

Another reason this may be a good fit is that the Pacers are not hurting for significantly more offense. Barnes can hit the three ball and defend at a high level. These are really the two things the Pacers needs the most from their four-spot, not 30 points a game (I wouldn’t complain if we had that though).

I think if the price is right, Barnes would be a great pursuit for the Pacers this offseason.