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The 2021 NBA offseason is already proving to be one of change for the Indiana Pacers and will likely continue to be as the team tries to bounce back from a disappointing campaign.
Prior to the 2020-21 season, there were high hopes for a talented roster and new head coach Nate Bjorkgren. However, disagreements behind the scenes and a lack of defensive solidity saw the Pacers miss the playoffs for the first time since 2015 and Bjorkgren being fired. Rick Carlisle has since come in as the first major change at the organization this summer and won't be the last.
3 players who could part ways with the Indiana Pacers this summer
The Indiana Pacers are treading the tax line and would be expected to want to avoid it, given that they don't currently have a championship-contending roster. They have multiple free agents who have been crucial to the team this year but who could be attracted by greater prospects elsewhere. In order to keep them while making the roster better without spending too much money will be a very difficult task to undertake.
In this article, we will examine three players who may leave the Indiana Pacers this offseason, whether by their own volition or because the franchise wants to create space for others.
#1 T.J. McConnell
Alongside Doug McDermott, re-signing unrestricted free agent T.J. McConnell will be among the Indiana Pacers' top priorities this summer. The backup point guard is sure to garner a lot of interest around the league and could look to try and join a playoff team as a two-way threat. McConnell's latest contract was only earning him $3.5m per year but he could look to double that, which would still be very appealing for bigger sides with less cap space to utilize.
McConnell had an impressive campaign for the Pacers and arguably should have been in more conversation for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. He averaged 8.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game. He connected with a career-high 56% of field-goal efforts and also grabbed 3.7 rebounds despite his diminutive frame.
Although the Indiana Pacers would like to keep T.J. McConnell, should a deal to join a bigger market come through, it would be hard for the 29-year-old not to accept. There are plenty of teams such as the LA Lakers who could use a playmaking guard that can also grab ten steals in a game.
#2 Doug McDermott
Doug McDermott could be one of the most intriguing free agents on the market this offseason. The Indiana Pacers forward is coming off the back of a career-year in which he averaged 13.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 24 minutes per game. As with most Pacers players this year, he struggled defensively.
However, by shooting at 53% from the field and 38.8% from beyond the arc, the 29-year-old had a career-best 3.1 offensive win share.
McDermott's bird rights sit with the Indiana Pacers, therefore they will likely make a concerted effort to keep him in the summer. However, with teams around the NBA needing high-volume and accurate three-point shooters, the versatile forward is expected to receive some lucrative offers.
Considering the potential upheaval on the roster, the former 11th overall pick could see this as an opportunity to join a winning side.
#3 Jeremy Lamb
Jeremy Lamb has been a reliable bailout option for the Indiana Pacers off the bench as a knockdown scorer who can deal with tough defensive sets with his mid-range game. However, his time with the franchise has also been fraught and his playing time has been limited since he tore his ACL last season.
This year, he played just 36 games, eight of which he started, and averaged 10 points while shooting at over 40% from downtown and 43% from the field. While he is a perfect fit for the Indiana Pacers' second unit, he is on an expiring deal and there are several younger players on the roster who could usurp him for more minutes next season.
The Pacers will know they can get decent value for him in the market despite his $10m contract, thanks to his experience and effectiveness off the bench. Despite his recent injury troubles, teams will see him as worth a punt even if it's just for one year.
Guess the Lakers players!
