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Indiana Pacers: Grading The Offseason

By Gerald Bourguet

January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
January 4, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert (55) controls the ball against Los Angeles Lakers center Jordan Hill (27) during the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indiana Pacers
Apr 28, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Monta Ellis (11) reacts after a play during the second half against the Houston Rockets in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 103-94 to win the series 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Pacers Have It All

Indiana’s first move in free agency was locking in Monta Ellis to a four-year, $44 million deal. For a team that desperately needed offense last year (or, you know, any sort of entertaining players in general), Monta “Have It All” is a terrific addition.

Public opinion of Ellis has drastically changed after his resurgence with the Dallas Mavericks, and the Pacers benefitted from his decision to turn down more money from the Sacramento Kings. Last year, Ellis was unable to coexist with Rajon Rondo in the backcourt once the Mavs brought him aboard, but he still averaged 18.9 points and 4.1 assists per game on 44.5 percent shooting.

George Hill isn’t much of a scorer, though he was much more aggressive last season when the shorthanded Pacers needed him to be. Monta’s arrival will likely threaten Hill’s new-found assertive play (as will Paul George’s return), but Indiana could really use someone who can operate out of a pick-and-roll and put the ball in the basket in general.

Ellis has been good for 17-18 points on a nightly basis since his second NBA season back in 2006-07, so the league’s 23rd ranked offense last season will be better in 2015-16. He’s not a great defender, and Frank Vogel will have to work hard to coax more effort out of him on that front. But the deal is a fair one with the NBA’s skyrocketing salary cap and he’ll help address an area of need for the Pacers.

Grade: B

Next: The Hibbert Trade

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