5 Pacers who are playing for their future in Indiana
By Joe Lyon
4. Jalen Smith
We acquired Jalen Smith for essentially nothing. Smith was coming from time in Phoenix were he was largely seen as a failed lottery pick for the team, even though much of that time was playing behind Deandre Ayton and never really given the chance to shine. In his first partial season with Indiana, he looked the part of a starting player who might be able to fill the power forward spot for the Pacers.
Unfortunately in year two he has not looked nearly as good. He has struggled to have the same impact from behind the three point line, and at times, has looked like he doesn’t quite fit on the court with the rest of the Pacers. If the Pacers draft a forward, which many expect they might, Smith will quickly find himself in a precarious spot.
He can’t start at the 5 with Myles Turner being a significant upgrade, and he will have IJAX right behind him as a potential long-term backup fit behind Turner. Thus Smith could quickly find himself without a clear role. Something our next player currently is struggling through.