Three veterans the Indiana Pacers should consider signing in free agency
By Ryan Stano
2. DeMar DeRozan
A veteran guy who would be willing to take a pay cut to play on a better team would be DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan has spent the last six years of his career on bad teams. Between Chicago and San Antonio, he hasn't been on a team that has truly contended. He was one of the pieces traded for Kawahi to get the Raptors their first championship.
Time is running out for DeRozan to win a title. He's 34 years old and he's made plenty of money. Perhaps he's ready to move on to another place that is a piece away from contending for a title. For the Pacers, DeRozan could be that piece. He's still a really solid player.
DeRozan averaged 24 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.3 rebounds a game on 48% shooting. He's someone who can still get buckets and create his own shot. He's a good ball handler and can be a good connector too. DeRozan will find open guys and put it right on the money.
Perhaps the Pacers could convince DeRozan to take a team-friendly deal to make a push for a title? Something along the lines of a two-year $35 million deal would put them on the fringes of the cap with the other guys they have to sign. That's the window Indiana is looking at anyway.
DeRozan would be an upgrade as a defender and an offensive player at the two-guard spot in the starting lineup. That would allow Andrew Nembhard to shift to the bench and potentially run that unit if they don't want to keep T.J. McConnell.
The final guy on this list would likely come off the bench but could provide valuable leadership and shooting, both of which the Pacers need.