The Indiana Pacers previously had a disappointing finish in the 2020-21 season as they settled in the ninth spot of the Eastern Conference with a 34-38 record. In fact, it was the first time that the team failed to reach the playoffs since the 2014-15 season. In this piece, we're handing out grades for the Pacers 2021 NBA offseason.
After seeing an underwhelming result, the Pacers front office knew that they had to make significant changes during the offseason. However, they also remained committed to having continuity within the team as they retained most of the key guys on their roster.
All in all, the Pacers didn't have the best offseason but they were able to do enough to ensure that they can potentially perform better than last year's squad moving forward.
Pacers 2021 NBA Offseason
Pacers' Offseason Grade: B
Indiana began their offseason by parting ways with former head coach Nate Bjorkgren who was only with the team for a lone season. Though he possesses an impressive coaching resume, his system didn't thrive well in the pros as the Pacers fell short in the play-in tournament against the Washington Wizards last season.
They eventually replaced him with a veteran tactician in Rick Carlisle who has been mentoring a Dallas Mavericks squad since the 2008-09 season. The former champion coach won't be a quick answer to the Pacers' struggles but there is no doubt that he will give a major boost to the team, given his vast coaching experience.
The Pacers also didn't think twice in re-signing a savvy playmaker in T.J. McConnell for a four-year, $35.2 million contract over the offseason. It was definitely a no-brainer move for Indiana as the Arizona product has been a key part of the team ever since he arrived back in 2019.
Last season, McConnell had the best campaign of his career thus far as he averaged 8.6 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game in 69 appearances. Perhaps the biggest strength of his playing style is his aggressiveness on defense as he notched 1.9 steals and 0.3 blocks per game last season. He will definitely be counted upon to be their primary backup guard behind Malcolm Brogdon and provide a spark on the floor as their sixth man off the bench.
The Pacers also chose to let swingman Doug McDermott relocate to the San Antonio Spurs via a sign-and-trade agreement. Indiana sent a 2023 protected second-round pick along with a right to swap 2026 second-round selections with the Spurs in order to get a 2023 second-round pick in return.
McDermott signed with the Spurs on a three-year, $42 million deal as the move eventually paved the way for a traded player exception worth $7.4 million for the Pacers, per ESPN‘s Bobby Marks. Despite getting an asset in return, letting McDermott go was still a huge blow for the team as the forward averaged career-best numbers of 13.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 66 games last season.
With his departure, Indiana certainly needed to load up on its backcourt depth as the team selected Oregon talent Chris Duarte with the 13th pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was a key cog for the Ducks last season due to his steady scoring and two-way style of play which he will also aim to bring to the Pacers next season.
Though he is older than most rookies, the 24-year-old will definitely have to show that he is indeed NBA-ready as most scouts projected him to be and that he is capable of making an instant impact for the team next season.
Rounding off the team's offseason moves is their acquisition of forward Torrey Craig who recently appeared in the 2020-21 NBA Finals with the Phoenix Suns. He didn't get to see significant action for the team due to their stacked roster but there is a great chance that he will be given an opportunity by Carlisle to contribute next season.
His defensive and shooting capabilities will definitely come in handy for the Pacers as they try to get significant contributions from their bench mob next season. Ultimately, the Pacers continue to be a work in progress as of the moment but making smart decisions in the offseason will hopefully bring them over the hump as they try to make it back to the postseason in 2021-22.
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