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Indiana Pacers: 3 ambitious free agency targets in 2019

By Fran Kilinski

SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 29: Darren Collison #2, Myles Turner #33 and Thaddeus Young #21, Bojan Bogdanovic #44 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MARCH 29: Darren Collison #2, Myles Turner #33 and Thaddeus Young #21, Bojan Bogdanovic #44 and Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers talk during the game against the Sacramento Kings on March 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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1. Tobias Harris

Another wing scorer who was a part of a deeper postseason run is Tobias Harris, who has not shown any predisposition to playing for big-market teams throughout his career. This past season, he averaged career-high numbers across the board, scored at a high clip of 20.0 points per game on 46.9 percent shooting, and was an integral piece of the Philadelphia 76ers‘ midseason makeover.

The Indiana Pacers’ acquiring Harris would likely require the release of a key rotation player this year. Depending on the offers Harris is fielding, an aggressive pursuit from Indiana might also include a trade with Doug McDermott, since they’re paying him a hefty $16.6 million through 2021.

But signing Harris would open up opportunities for the Pacers to play with a small-ball lineup of scorers in Harris, Oladipo, Bogey and Sabonis. If cap space is appropriately managed, he could also play alongside Curry and Mirotic.

His 7.1 win shares this past season were also a career-high and an indicator that he’s a valuable player no matter the personnel around him. Although he’s never been the best overall player on his team, that doesn’t stop his ability to score like it.

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Harris not only adds perimeter scoring, but the much-needed versatility that Indiana needs to step on the gas pedal against other teams. So many times this postseason, Indiana fell into scoring droughts that a contested-shot-taking, tough-finishing scorer like Harris could’ve snapped. He attacks on offense with the same audacity that Oladipo does, and would be the weapon to help take the pressure off Vic to score the basketball.

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Harris earned $14.8 million this season, and his value has likely increased after a memorable playoff push. Harris remains one of the top free agents this summer that the Sixers will be conflicted with offering money. If the Pacers play their cards right, they could add a journeyman scorer like Harris and make a run for one of the top seeds in the conference next year.

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