2018 NBA free agency grades: Doug McDermott commits to Pacers

The Indiana Pacers added to what was already an intriguing young core by bringing in Doug McDermott on a three-year deal worth $22 million.

The Indiana Pacers were not ones to sit silently during free agency, building on last season’s success by agreeing to terms with sweet-shooting forward Doug McDermott on a three-year, $22 million deal, according to ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski.

Splitting time between the New York Knicks and Dallas Mavericks this past season, McDermott averaged 7.8 points in only 21.8 minutes per game.

After coming into the league in 2014, McDermott has established himself as one of the best shooters in the game, converting on 40.3 percent of his 3-point looks over the course of his four-year career.

This deal may not vault the Pacers into title contention, but it was a smart, low-press move that will help them build off a successful 2017-18 campaign that saw them take the defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers to seven games in their first round matchup.

Ranked in the bottom fifth of the league in both 3-pointers made and attempted, McDermott should help get that number trending in the right direction.

Head coach Nate McMillan could look to use the former Creighton star as nothing more than a spot-up shooter — after he shot 61.4 percent on catch-and-shoot looks — or he could look to use him in a J.J. Redick type fashion, constantly keeping him in motion to keep the defense on its toes.

With both he and forward Bojan Bogdanovic capable shooters, McMillan can shift the 6’9″ Bojan to the power forward slot without sacrificing any spacing from the wing.

Bringing in McDermott will also allow McMillan to have as many as five shooters stationed around the perimeter, creating maximum spacing and driving lanes for Victor Oladipo and company to exploit.

McDermott’s shooting ability will also help improve a Pacers bench that ranked in the bottom third of the league in both points and 3-pointers made and attempted.

Standing at 6’8″ and 225 pounds, McDermott also has the size to be a fairly solid defender, capable of defending both forward spots.

Dallas’ defense was actually 3.9 points better with McDermott on the court this past season, which shows that he may not be as bad on that end as people would assume.

The Pacers have proven to be a team on the rise in the increasingly difficult Eastern Conference. Victor Oladipo will look to become a perennial All-Star after making his first appearance this past season, while Myles Turner has immense potential as a versatile center.

Doug McDermott will definitely help this team move up the ranks, providing a similar skill-set to fan favorite Bogdanovic.

The cherry on top of this already smart signing for the Pacers is the price tag, at only $22 million.

Getting a proven shooter who fills multiple areas of need at less than $8 million a year is a huge steal for the small-market Pacers, a team that can’t afford to simply throw money at the top free agents on the market.

There is something special brewing in Indiana, and McDermott will certainly be able to add to that moving forward.

Next: 2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far

Grade: B+