This years free agency is relatively thin in the NBA compared to many of the most recent years. It seems like every season there are a few high profile free agents that the media is unsure where they will land, but much of that is muted this offseason.
The highest current paid free agents after the season are Russell Westbrook, Khris Middleton, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving. I think we can all comfortably say that the Pacers aren’t going to be going after any of those players (although Middleton would fit in nice with the current group don’t you think?). So we had gone to the next tier of free agents after the clear “the Pacers won’t or can’t go after these guys” to pick five free agents that might make sense for the Pacers if they decide to take a big swing.
We didn’t filter these by position, so these are all high-profile free agents (15m+) that are set to be some sort of free agent after the current season, whether that be restricted or unrestricted.
And we ask ourselves two questions: how well would they fit with the Pacers? And would it make sense for the Pacers to pursue?
Will Barton, Shooting Guard, Unrestricted Free Agent, 15 million current
A free agent that many are not talking about is Will Barton, although it is arguable if he would be a legitimate upgrade for the Pacers at the shooting guard position, depending on how high of a ceiling Mathurin continues to climb. Barton this season is averaging the following numbers:
7.1 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 39% FG, 37% FG3
All of these numbers are easily beat by two of the shooting guards currently on Indiana’s roster (Hield and Mathurin) so unless Barton is looking to sign on the cheap somewhere the Pacers better avoid this largely overpaid player.
However, this doesn’t mean that the Pacers couldn’t potentially try to make a move at the shooting guard spot. There is alot of value to depth and you can potentially play many of these players anywhere from the one to three spot on the floor. Versatility is king in today’s NBA so just because they are a shooting guard doesn’t take them out of the running.
Malik Beasley, Shooting Guard, Club Option, 15 million current
Malik Beasley on the other hand might make a little more sense for the Pacer than Barton. Beasley is at least putting up better numbers from the floor, albeit they won’t knock anyone’s socks off.
13 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 39% FG, 35% FG3
He’s a little bit undersized compared to Barton and I would continue to argue that the Pacers would be better holding steady with the shooting guards that they already have rather than potentially overpaying to bring in another shooting guard. Beasley is an OKAY player, but just not one that the Pacers should have any interest in bringing in this offseason.
Gary Trent Jr., Shooting Guard, Player Option, 17 million current
Gary Trent Jr. on the other hand, has had some flashes of becoming a great player. Given that he is able to play both the guard and forward position, he might be a better fit than some of the other guys on the list. This season Trent is averaging the following:
17.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 43% FG, 37% FG3
Now those numbers are beginning to look like someone you may go after in free agency if they fit a position of need. Again Trent Jr. isn’t the perfect fit for the roster, but he could fit into the rotation fine and provide some scoring off of the bench for the Pacers. The limitation might be that he will price himself out of the Pacers market as teams always need shooters and somebody is bound to overpay the offensively talented Trent Jr.
Jerami Grant, Power Forward, Unrestricted Free Agent, 20 million current
A warning: This is probably who I think the Pacers should go after if they try and make a move in the offseason.
Grant is having a great season averaging the following:
20.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 47% FG, 40% FG3
He is looking like a legit two-way power forward that would be exactly what the Pacers need in their starting lineup. He can shoot from deep at a high level and also is an excellent defender.
There has been some noise this year that has been inconclusive as to whether Grant is wanting to leave Portland or not. It was reported that Portland offered him a contract but that he had yet to sign it. There may be a window to get a legitimate power forward of the future here that is still relatively young (29). If the Pacers take a shot with the current lineup, this would probably be the shot to take.
Harrison Barnes, Small Forward, Unrestricted Free Agent, 21 million current
Harrison Barnes is a player that always seems to have potential but never seems to live up to the hype. However, he is having himself a decent season. This year he is averaging:
15 points, 5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 48% FG, 37% FG3
So it is clear that Barnes can play on the offensive side of the ball, however how is his defense?
Well since his days in Golden State, Barnes has been a fine defender and it has carried over to this time in Sacramento. He is lacking a bit of bulk to play the true power forward position, but he likely could slot into the three or four spot fairly easily against most teams.
Given Sacramento is having such a great season they may try to hold onto him, however they may be willing to let him walk. If they do, I don’t think the Pacers should pursue very aggresively especially at his current price tag. He’s nearly 31 years old and on the back-nine of his career.
Do you think the Pacers should go after any of these free agents? Let us know in the comments below!
Indiana Pacers: 50 greatest Pacers players [2023 update]
The Indiana Pacers are a storied franchise, even though many casual NBA fans may not realize it. But back in the ABA days, the Pacers were a force.