Indiana Pacers: Complete 2018 offseason grades

Signing Doug McDermott

Dougie McBuckets was once upon a time a coveted sharp-shooting Creighton product, who had the length and size to combine for an alluring enough package to be drafted 11th overall. Unfortunately, that once upon a time was only four years ago.

In those last four years, he has played for four teams, all with limited success. With his minutes hanging around the early 20s for most of that time period, he is going to have to prove himself in this stint, otherwise he will quickly find himself getting confused for Jimmer Fredette by fans at Chinese Basketball Association exhibitions.

All kidding aside, the fact that the prudent Pacers locked him down for a three-year, $22 million deal, means that they believe in him. And that means something.

While he has a long road ahead of him, McBuckets could learn from new teammate Bojan Bodganovic, who also boasts a similar frame and skill-set, and has been very successful in the Pacers’ system thus far.

Logically, it follows that he will get minutes, but only time will tell how this signing will pan out.

Grade: B-