Complete 2018 NBA Free Agency primer for OKC Thunder and all 30 teams
Indiana Pacers:
Free Agents:
- Trevor Booker (UFA)
- Glenn Robinson III (UFA)
- Lance Stephenson (UFA -team decline opting for salary flexibility)
- Joe Young (RFA -team decline option)
ESPN story on Thaddeus Young returning to Pacers: https://t.co/dakJZgPeQb https://t.co/hvIkHpBvNd
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 28, 2018
Team Profile and Ranking:
Key Ranking Stats to end season:
- Offense:10th (107.3)
- Defense: 12th (105.4)
- Net:11th (plus +1.9 )
NBA Power Ranking at 2017-18 season end: 9th
ESPN Power Ranking post playoffs: 11th
Vegas odds to win 2018-19 title as of June 26: 100 to 1
Committed Salary: $92,815,802.00 as of June 29th
Average attendance: 16,051
Attendance rank: 27th
Arena: Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Management:
General Manager: Chad Buchanan- 2012
Head Coach: Nate McMillan – 2016
Salary Profile:
Thaddeus Young opting in may have led to the Pacers not picking up Lance Stephenson’s option although they stated it wasn’t an easy decision. Then again, since Lance doesn’t seem to be able to channel the inner beast for anyone other than Indiana maybe it isn’t a big concern. Cory Joseph also opted in.
Four players are on partially guaranteed contracts: Bojan Bogdanovic ($10,500,000), Darren Collison ($10 million), Al Jefferson ($10 million), and Ike Anigbogu ($1,378,242). Alex Poythress is on a non-guaranteed contract ($1,544,951). And Joe Young awaits the team’s decision on his option.
In terms of exceptions, the Pacers have an $8.6M non-tax midlevel and $3.4M bi-annual to utilize in free agency.
| Sala | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Player | Age | 2018-19 | Signed Using | Guaranteed |
| Victor Oladipo | 26 | $21,000,000 | 1st Round Pick | $84,000,000 |
| Thaddeus Young | 30 | $13,764,045 | Bird Rights | $14,796,348 |
| Bojan Bogdanovic | 29 | $10,500,000 | Cap space | $12,000,000 |
| Darren Collison | 30 | $10,000,000 | Cap space | $12,000,000 |
| Al Jefferson | 33 | $10,000,000 | Cap Space | $13,769,821 |
| Cory Joseph | 26 | $7,945,000 | Cap Space | $15,575,000 |
| Myles Turner | 22 | $3,410,284 | 1st round pick | $5,980,204 |
| Domantas Sabonis | 22 | $2,659,800 | 1st Round pick | $5,209,800 |
| T.J. Leaf | 21 | $2,407,560 | 1st Round Pick | $4,435,920 |
| Ike Anigbogu | 19 | $1,378,242 | Cap space | $1,640,000 |
| Alex Poythress | 24 | $1,544,951 | Two-Way Converted | $778,668 |
| Monta Ellis | 32 | $2,245,400 | $11,227,000 | |
| Team Totals | $92,815,802 | $187,411,695 |
Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/29/2018.
Draft 2018:
Round 1:
With the 23rd pick, the Pacers selected UCLA guard Aaron Holiday
Rookie Profile: Guard Aaron Holiday brings strong lineage to pros
Round 2:
With the 50th pick the Pacers selected Missouri State forward Alize Johnson
Rookie Profile: 2-way versatility adds to the intrigue of Alize Johnson
Free Agency – Offseason Mandate:
Making news to start the week the Pacers declined their team option on uber pest Lance Stephenson. This likely points to the team looking to be active in the free agent sweepstakes for a big name.
Rumor is the Pacers will actively target some big names like Aaron Gordon and Clint Capela this NBA free agency. After a season of playing the role of Cinderella team, it will be interesting to see what the next step will be for Indiana and how they’ll process not being overlooked.
If Indy adds one of their two targets they could be a viable home court seed entering next season. McMillan got his squad to buy in and all play gritty tough-nosed ball. Now Buchanan needs to add another star and more depth at the wing position.