Indiana Pacers: 3 players not likely to return in 2020-21

2. Justin Holiday

Justin Holiday is one of just two unrestricted free agents coming off the books for the Pacers this summer. He’s 31 years old, but he might actually be pricing himself out of a return based on how he’s playing this season.

One of the guard’s most valuable attributes is his versatility on the defensive end. Holiday has been a grinder throughout his career and isn’t afraid to defend any guards or forwards. He currently has a defensive WAR of 2.2 and will surely pass his previous season-high of 2.5 if the season resumes. His defensive box plus/minus also stands at a career-high 1.7.

This isn’t to say Holiday isn’t valuable on the offensive end of the court. He’s averaging 8.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per game off the bench, shooting 42.4 percent from three. Holiday has developed into the desired 3-and-D type player every NBA team is seeking.

Speaking of which, it might feel like Holiday has played for every NBA team at this point – the Pacers are the seventh different stop of his career. He’s never made more than he’s making this season with Indiana, who he signed a one-year, $4.8 million pact with at the end of July to play alongside one of his brothers, Aaron Holiday.

Justin Holiday may be willing to take less money to stay where he’s valued and remain alongside his brother for another season. But this might also be the last chance for Justin Holiday to cash in and that might be hard for him to ignore.