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Indiana Pacers: Complete 2017 offseason grades

By Adrian Lawhorn

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 07: President of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard and Head Coach, Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers introduce Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Darren Collison during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on July 7, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 07: President of basketball operations, Kevin Pritchard and Head Coach, Nate McMillan of the Indiana Pacers introduce Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Darren Collison during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on July 7, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images
Photos by Mark Sobhani/NBAE via Getty Images /

Darren Collison, PG

Acquired: Via free agency (Sacramento Kings)

This will be Darren Collison’s second tour of duty with the Indiana Pacers, as he was previously with the team from 2010-12. Collison was obtained in a trade to shore up the point guard position, but eventually lost his starting spot to George Hill.

Collison was a second-year player when he first joined the Pacers, and he has grown in the five years since he last played in Indiana. Collison is much more experienced and comfortable in a leadership role going into his ninth NBA campaign.

Darren Collison has also improved as a shooter since his early days in the league, as he is now a legitimate threat both inside and outside the 3-point line.

He is steady as a playmaker, although he is primarily a scoring point guard. Collison struggles on the defensive end of the floor due to his lack of height (6’0″) and slight frame at 175 pounds.

Collison appears to be a good choice as a transitional player for the Pacers until they settle on their lead guard of the future — that player may or may not be on the current roster.

Kevin Pritchard wisely protected the team’s future with Collison’s contract, since it’s a reasonable two-year deal for $20 million, with only $2 million guaranteed in the second year.

Darren Collison isn’t the flashiest acquisition, but he should give Indiana a quality veteran presence and add stability to the team’s young roster.

The Pacers’ goal is to cultivate young talent while remaining competitive, and Darren Collison will help them do just that while playing on a team-friendly contract.

Grade: B

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