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Indiana Pacers: Will the new training facility add value to the franchise?

By Adrian Lawhorn

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 2: Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers takes part in the Jr. NBA Special Olympics clinic as part of Basketball Without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg on August 2, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - AUGUST 2: Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers takes part in the Jr. NBA Special Olympics clinic as part of Basketball Without Borders Africa at the American International School of Johannesburg on August 2, 2017 in Gauteng province of Johannesburg, South Africa. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Indiana Pacers have unveiled their new state-of-the-art training facility, but will it have a positive impact on the team’s rebuilding efforts?

The Indiana Pacers made an addition to their franchise late last week, but this time, it wasn’t a player.

The Pacers have officially opened the St. Vincent Center, a massive five-story complex that combines a practice facility, therapy and treatment rooms as well as a luxurious players’ lounge.

The team feels that St. Vincent Center will allow coaches and players to maximize their potential, while also giving them a comfortable workplace that should provide a boost to the job satisfaction and morale of team personnel.

Of course, the hope is that the existence of this new facility will aid in the improvement of the team’s players, and in turn, lead to more wins on the basketball court.

Additionally, team owner Herb Simon and general manager Kevin Pritchard have another motive for wanting to invest big dollars in this cutting-edge training space.

The team is banking on the concept that St. Vincent Center will be a selling point when it comes to wooing free agents. The Pacers have never been a preferred destination for top free agents, but ownership and management are trying to change that.

The new training facility is undoubtedly impressive, and it will provide an opportunity for Indiana’s players and coaches to take their job performance to the next level if they take advantage of everything St. Vincent Center has to offer.

However, the idea that having an outstanding training site will help lure elite free agents to Indiana is a reach.

There are a number of things upper-tier free agents consider when choosing a team to sign with, and the importance of each can vary depending upon the individual in question.

Salary, potential to win a championship, weather, nightlife and previous personal connections with players and/or coaches are just a few of the things that tend to weigh heavily when players decide where to take their talents in free agency.

Having a nice work environment is surely a plus for existing employees, but it won’t draw big-name free agents to Indiana; frankly, it probably won’t entice mid-to-lower level free agents to sign with the Pacers.

Small-market teams like Indiana have to be creative in finding ways to compete for talent, and you have to applaud their efforts here — they’ve made a significant investment in their infrastructure in order to (theoretically) improve the fortunes of the franchise.

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However, this attempt to make the Indiana Pacers more attractive to free agents will fall flat. There will be many benefits reaped as a result of St. Vincent Center, but flashy free agent acquisitions do not appear on that list.

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