The Indiana Pacers were active in the opening minutes of the NBA Free Agency period. Soon after 6PM (Eastern Time), the Utah Jazz went “all in” on Bojan Bogdanovic and signed him to a 4-year $72M deal. Thaddeus Young was the next former Pacer to find a new home to Chicago for a 3-year deal. The Pacers grabbed Malcolm Brogdan from the Bucks in a trade for a 1st round pick and 2 second round picks. Brogdan signed a 4 year $85M deal with Indiana then as announced by Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN). Brogdan averaged 15.6 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 3.2 APG last season. Brogdan has been hampered by injuries the past two season, but the Pacers have a great training staff to build up Malcolm and keep him healthy in the future.
The Pacers didn’t end there by adding another guard and shooter Jeremy Lamb who was in Charlotte last season. Lamb signed with the Pacers for 3 years $31.5M reported by The Athletic. Lamb comes to Indiana as a consistent scorer and had a career-high last season averaging 15.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.2 APG. Lamb will be a good fill-in until Oladipo is back from injury and then will be serviceable.
The Pacers needed to fill two starter positions at the start of free agency and they accomplished that within the first two hours.
Depth chart
Point guards: Malcolm Brogdon, Aaron Holiday.
Shooting guards: Victor Oladipo, Jeremy Lamb, Edmond Sumner.
Small forwards: T.J. Warren, Doug McDermott.
Power forwards: Domantas Sabonis, TJ Leaf, Alize Johnson.
Centers: Myles Turner, Goga Bitadze.
Reef’s Take: I loved the pickups by the Pacers in free agency. The Pacers needed to address scoring and depth and succeeded with both Brogdan and Lamb. Both players can get a bucket when needed and can shoot the 3-pointer well. Adding TJ Warren via trade with Phoenix on draft day, the Pacers now have their starter positions filled until Victor Oladipo gets back from injury. I think the Pacers make at least one more addition, probably a veteran to have some leadership with the team. I like the moves! Pacers fans….be thankful for what we got, it could be worse……we could be the New York Knicks!
Malcolm Brogdon has agreed to a four-year, $85M deal with Indiana, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
Indiana has agreed to a free agent deal with Jeremy Lamb, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 30, 2019
Indiana @Pacers organization and fans thank you for 3 amazing years. You will always be family. You will be missed. The franchise is in good hands with @VicOladipo, @Original_Turner, @Dsabonis11, @leafsquad22, and the rest of the crew. #ThankYouIndy
— Thad Young (@yungsmoove21) June 30, 2019
Thank you Thad. You’ve changed an organization with you work ethic and professionalism. We wish you only the best in the future! 3T.
— Kevin Pritchard (@PacersKev) June 30, 2019
Free agent forward Thaddeus Young has reached an agreement with the Chicago Bulls on a three-year, $41 million deal, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 30, 2019
Follow Us Here:Indy losing Bogdanovic is bad, but Pacers knew they were likely to not be able to re-sign him, which is why they got T.J. Warren from Phoenix on draft night. Adding Brogdon and low-key adding Jeremy Lamb is a very good pivot.
— David Aldridge (@davidaldridgedc) June 30, 2019
