Hoops Habit
Fansided

Indiana Pacers: Which Free Agents Should Stay?

By Cameron Stewart

Oct 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 6
Next

Going into the offseason, the Indiana Pacers have some important decisions to make regarding their soon-to-be free agents.

Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) defended by Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) during the second half of game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 100-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) defended by Toronto Raptors center Bismack Biyombo (8) during the second half of game four of the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Indiana defeats Toronto 100-83. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 2015-16 season now behind the Indiana Pacers, it’s time to start thinking about 2016-17 and beyond.

The Pacers have four players who are set to become free agents at midnight on July 1: Ian Mahinmi, Jordan Hill, Solomon Hill and Ty Lawson.

Each of those players is unrestricted free agent, meaning that the Pacers don’t have the power to match any deal that is offered to them to automatically retain them.

The Pacers also have seldom-used players Glenn Robinson III and Shayne Whittington on non-guaranteed deals. This means that Robinson III and Whittington can be released with the Pacers paying them only a fraction of the remaining money on their deal.

The decisions on the players won’t be made for months and part of the decision to keep them in a Pacers uniform will depend on a couple of other factors to be decided before July 1.

The most important decision for the Pacers that will affect who they want to bring back will depend on who Larry Bird names head coach.

More from Indiana Pacers

Different coaches have different styles with different roles for each position.

If the new coach wants to use his center as a low post scorer or someone who can pop out for a midrange shot, a player like Mahinmi won’t fit.

If the new coach wants a rim protector and rebounder, then Mahinmi might be the man for him.

The NBA Draft is another factor that will determine what the Pacers do in free agency.

The 2016 NBA Draft will take place on June 23 2016, allowing teams to make adjustments before heading into free agency.

The Pacers hold the 20th overall pick in the draft, as well as the 50th overall pick.

With the 20th pick, the Pacers could find a player ready to fill a role right away. Last season, Justin Anderson, Bobby Portis, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Larry Nance Jr. were taken at 20th or beyond.

If the Pacers believe they can draft a young, cheap player to fill a role, then that would impact the planning going into free agency.

With all of those factors in mind, let’s take a look on who the Pacers should bring back or let go based on present circumstances.

Next: The Non-Guaranteed Players

Home/Indiana Pacers