Indiana Pacers 2024 Free Agents
Obi Toppin and Doug McDermott are among two of the six players going into free agency for the Indiana Pacers. The Pacers also await Jalen Smith's player option decision.
Before going in-depth on the Indiana Pacers’ upcoming free agents, let’s first look at their cap sheet.
The Pacers have upcoming decisions to make with TJ McConnell and Kendall Brown, while Jalen Smith has his own player option decision to make within the next week.
McConnell’s deal is partially guaranteed for $5 million, and the contract will fully guarantee June 28 after the NBA draft for $9.3 million. Seeing as how McConnell was a key part of the Pacers’ playoff rotation, there’s no reason to think Indiana would waive him.
Brown’s contract is non-guaranteed until opening night, when $250K becomes guaranteed. Brown has to remain on the Pacers’ roster past January 10, 2025, to have the full $2.1 million guarantee.
Now let’s look at the Pacers’ free agents.
Doug McDermott 6’6” - Unrestricted Free Agent
Primary Position: Small forward (with Indiana) | Secondary Position: Power forward
In San Antonio, McDermott played more of his minutes at the 4 and then his secondary position was the 3.
All positions data for all free agents via CleaningTheGlass.com
Free agent status - McDermott will be an unrestricted free agent with a $20.6 million cap hold and full bird rights on the Pacers’ cap sheet.
NBA Experience - McDermott will be 32 when next season begins, with 10 years of NBA experience.
Obi Toppin 6’9” - Restricted Free Agent
Primary Position: Power forward
Free agent status - The Pacers have until June 29 to tender Toppin a $7.7 million qualifying offer to become a restricted free agent.
NBA Experience - Toppin will be 26 next season, with 4 years of NBA experience.
Latest Rumors - Pacers General Manager Chad Buchanan has said he hopes Toppin remains with the Pacers going forward.
Jalen Smith 6’9” - Player Option
Primary Position: Center | Secondary Position: Power forward
Free agent status - Smith has until June 29 to exercise his $5.4 million player option for next season.
NBA Experience - Smith will be 24 when next season begins, with 4 years of NBA experience.
Latest Rumors - The early indication according to one report is that Smith will decline his player option and enter unrestricted free agency. As mentioned above, Smith has until next Saturday (June 29) to make a final decision.
James Johnson 6’7” - Unrestricted Free Agent
Primary Position: Power forward | Secondary Position: Center
Free agent status - Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent with a $2 million cap hold and full birds rights on the Pacers’ cap sheet.
NBA Experience - Johnson will be 37 when next season begins, with 15 years of NBA experience.
The Two-Way Free Agents - Quenton Jackson (6’5”), Oscar Tshiebwe (6’8”), Isaiah Wong (6’3”)
The Pacers have until June 29 to tender $1.8 million qualifying offers to Jackson, Tshiebwe, and Wong. By tendering qualifying offers, each player would become a restricted free agent.
Jackson played in 3 games for the Pacers, Tshiebwe 8 games, and Wong 1 game. All three players averaged less than six minutes per game.
What are the salary projections for the Pacers’ free agents and should the Spurs try to sign any of the free agents?
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