The Pacers have begun their moves for free agency and it appears that the first one is an attempt to open up some cap space.
The Pacers already are one of the teams that have the most open cap room heading into free agency, but they are in the process of making it wider. Shams is reporting that the Pacers are in the final stages of trading away Chris Duarte for draft pieces in upcoming offseasons from the Sacramento Kings.
The Indiana Pacers are nearing a trade sending guard Chris Duarte to the Sacramento Kings for draft compensation, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2023
Duarte played two seasons in Indiana, however, his time was marked by injuries throughout the two years. While Duarte came out of the gates hot during his rooking campaign lighting it up from behind the arc, he had a significant dropoff his second season and ultimately his time in Indiana was derailed by injuries.
When the Pacers decided to draft sharpshooting two or three guards in the draft a few weeks ago, many thought it spelled the end for Duarte, and that appears to be the case.
The move likely marks that the Pacers are about to make some big moves in free agency.
The move is clearly the Pacers trying to open up some more cap space to potentially bring a big name player into the fold. Whether they will be successful or not is another story, but Indiana is being aggressive this offseason and we are here for it.
Just in the last couple of days the Pacers have been linked to multiple free agents such as Max Strus and Harrison Barnes (who just signed with Sacramento). Because of all of the discussion it is quickly becoming clear that Kevin Pritchard and the team are looking for ways to upgrade this roster and quickly build around the best point guard in the NBA, Tyrese Haliburton.
NBA Insider says Pacers a leading candidate for coveted free agent
It sounds like the Indiana Pacers are right in the thick of the free agent news, as they have been connected by multiple credible sources to players.