2 early Pacers NBA free agency targets in 2024 offseason
The Indiana Pacers are coming off one of their most successful seasons in recent history. After missing the playoffs for the past three seasons, the Pacers made a run to the Eastern Conference Finals albeit losing to the Boston Celtics in a 4-0 sweep. Heading into the offseason, the Pacers have a few key questions to answer in free agency. The Pacers focus should be on re-signing their own key free agents specifically Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin.
There are couple of minor free agency moves the Pacers can make as well. They can opt to bring back veteran sharpshooter Doug McDermott who is entering restricted free agency. McDermott didn’t feature much in the Pacers playoff rotation and it’s likely he draws interest from other teams.
The Pacers should only re-sign McDermott if it is for the minimum. Any offer above that and they should allow him to sign elsewhere. Re-signing veteran James Johnson is not a bad idea as well. Johnson would only command a minimum contract and he’s a respected voice in the locker room.
The Pacers aren’t going to have much cap space to work with unless they allow Pascal Siakam to walk. They should not allow that happen so it’s likely they will not make a major splash in free agency. That’s fine as the Pacers need to focus on continuity and building on what they have which includes re-signing their own free agents.
Pascal Siakam needs to be a Pacer long-term
When the Pacers acquired Pascal Siakam around the NBA trade deadline, the general consensus was they finally got a complimentary star to play alongside Tyrese Haliburton. They were still a bit inconsistent in the regular season and finished with the No. 6 overall seed in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.
But the playoffs was where the Pacers shined. They knocked off the No. 3 seeded Milwaukee Bucks albeit the Bucks being injured and without star Giannis Antetokounmpo. They outlasted the Knicks in an impressive Game 7 victory in the second round. And they managed to put up a fight against the No. 1 seeded Celtics despite losing Haliburton as the series went on.
While Siakam’s performance fluctuated, there was no question that he helped elevate the ceiling of this Pacers team. Re-signing Siakam to a max contract is what the Pacers should do. That’s the price it’s going to take to keep Siakam and that’s the price the Pacers need to be willing to pay. Small-market teams don’t often get priority consideration for big name free agents.
During the playoffs, Siakam averaged 21.6 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.8 assists with splits of 54.1 percent shooting from the field, 29.8 percent shooting from the three-point line and 61.9 percent shooting from the free-throw line. Re-signing Siakam signifies that the Pacers are committed to becoming a contender in the East.
Obi Toppin needs to be back in Pacers jersey
The other key free agent the Pacers need to make a decision on is Obi Toppin. Toppin was acquired in a trade with the New York Knicks last offseason and he became one of the Pacers best players off the bench.
Toppin began the season as a starter but when he was moved to the second unit he started to flourish. He was among the Pacers most productive reserves along with T.J. McConnell. He is set to hit restricted free agency which would give the Pacers the chance at matching any offer he receives.
During the playoffs, Toppin averaged 10.9 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists on with splits of 54.1 percent shooting from the field, 35.7 percent shooting from the three-point line and 76 percent shooting from the free-throw line. With the Knicks he was seen as little more than a long, athletic wing who can jump out of the gym. He became more than that with the Pacers.
It’s probable that Toppin receives offers from other teams once the free agency period hits. But the Pacers need to keep this team together and match whatever offer he receives, as long as it is within reason.
