OKC Thunder vs. Indiana Pacers, 2019-20 team preview
This past offseason the Indiana Pacers had numerous unrestricted free agents hit the open market. Five exited via free agency including 3-point sniper Bojan Bogdanovic who signed with the Jazz and solid backup point guard Cory Joseph joining the Kings. The trio of vets Thaddeus Young (Bulls), Wesley Matthews (Bucks) and Kyle O’Quinn (76ers) also exited.
On top of that quintet, Darren Collison retired and Tyreke Evans was suspended by the Association for drug use. That’s a ton of key contributors exiting and two of them were the main playmakers without Oladipo.
Fortunately, the Pacers jumped at the opportunity to add Malcolm Brogdon when the Bucks failed to retain him. From my perspective, Brogdon should’ve been a priority for Milwaukee who elected to prioritize re-signing Brook Lopez and George Hill ahead of the previous Rookie of the Year which I think was a mistake. With that, it has to be noted Brogdon has a long history of foot injuries so that may be why Milwaukee decided to focus elsewhere.
McMillan who loves playing lineups with multiple playmakers must be salivating over the prospect of Brogdon and a healthy Oladipo backcourt which will feature a rarity — both guards are quality two-way players. And fortunately for the Pacers their schedule is kinder to start the season when they won’t have Oladipo.
Other intelligent signings were made to plug the holes and like Brogdon, two pickups were of the ‘what a steal’ variety. The highly underrated T.J. Warren will make the Suns rue the day they traded him away.
And, Jeremy Lamb who seemingly couldn’t wait to leave Charlotte. Lamb arrives following a season where he ascended to the secondary scorer and finally seems to be delivering at a level most expected earlier in his career. His 3-year $31.5 million deal is an economical deal especially if he slots in to become the team’s sixth man (he’s likely to start until Oladipo returns). With Warren set to ascend Lamb won’t be under the same pressure he was in Charlotte.
Players Added:
Free Agency:
G: Justin Holiday
G: Jeremy Lamb
G: T.J. McConnell
G: Naz Mitrou-Long
F: Jakarr Sampson
Trade:
G: Malcolm Brogdon (trade with Bucks)
F: T.J. Warren (trade with Suns)
Rookies:
C: Goga Bitadze (No. 18 )
Departing Players:
Free Agents:
G: Cory Joseph (signed with Kings)
G/F: Wesley Matthews (signed with Bucks)
F: Bojan Bogdanovic (signed with Jazz)
F: Thaddeus Young (signed with Bulls)
C: Kyle O’Quinn (signed with Sixers)
Lost:
G: Tyreke Evans (suspension)
Retired
G: Darren Collison