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The Indiana Pacers have finally put the 2025-26 NBA season behind them and are focused fully on the offseason. After going 19-63 just one year removed from taking the Oklahoma City Thunder to Game 7 of the NBA Finals, Kevin Pritchard has some decisions to make.
Pritchard will not have the No. 5 overall pick to work. That pick was conveyed to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac deal.
With that being said, the Pacers are going to need to get creative. If they want to improve the roster, they will need to navigate some tough financial situations.
Despite that fact, the Indiana front office has been vocal about being willing to do whatever it takes to bring a championship home.
One option for the Pacers could be adding a player via free agency. There are a few options worth keeping an eye on.
Sports Illustrated's Alex Golden has suggested that Indiana should consider poaching Jaime Jaquez Jr. away from the Miami Heat.
"With a high basketball IQ, he reads both sides of the ball well, and is a feisty defender who can guard multiple positions," Golden wrote. "He would provide the Pacers with a versatile wing who can do it on both ends of the floor, his three-point shot would need some improvement, but aside from that, there is a ton to like."
Jaquez is coming off of a solid all-around year with the Heat. Throughout the course of the season, he played in 75 games and made one start. Jaquez averaged 15.4 points per game to go along with five rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.7 steals, while shooting 50.7 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from the three-point line.
At 25 years old, Jaquez could be a nice long-term addition for Indiana. He would help the Pacers compete in 2026-27, but would be a key rotational piece for years to come.
Granted, the big question would surround how much it would take for Indiana to sign Jaquez. With limited financial wiggle room, the Pacers might be forced to make other moves to open up cap space to sign a player like Jaquez.
Only time will tell, but this is an option worth keeping an eye on for Indiana.
Continue reading...
Pritchard will not have the No. 5 overall pick to work. That pick was conveyed to the Los Angeles Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac deal.
With that being said, the Pacers are going to need to get creative. If they want to improve the roster, they will need to navigate some tough financial situations.
Despite that fact, the Indiana front office has been vocal about being willing to do whatever it takes to bring a championship home.
One option for the Pacers could be adding a player via free agency. There are a few options worth keeping an eye on.
Sports Illustrated's Alex Golden has suggested that Indiana should consider poaching Jaime Jaquez Jr. away from the Miami Heat.
"With a high basketball IQ, he reads both sides of the ball well, and is a feisty defender who can guard multiple positions," Golden wrote. "He would provide the Pacers with a versatile wing who can do it on both ends of the floor, his three-point shot would need some improvement, but aside from that, there is a ton to like."
Jaquez is coming off of a solid all-around year with the Heat. Throughout the course of the season, he played in 75 games and made one start. Jaquez averaged 15.4 points per game to go along with five rebounds, 4.7 assists, and 0.7 steals, while shooting 50.7 percent from the floor and 31.7 percent from the three-point line.
At 25 years old, Jaquez could be a nice long-term addition for Indiana. He would help the Pacers compete in 2026-27, but would be a key rotational piece for years to come.
Granted, the big question would surround how much it would take for Indiana to sign Jaquez. With limited financial wiggle room, the Pacers might be forced to make other moves to open up cap space to sign a player like Jaquez.
Only time will tell, but this is an option worth keeping an eye on for Indiana.
Continue reading...
