5 roster moves the Indiana Pacers need to make this offseason

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Offseason roster moves the Indiana Pacers need to make: 4. Pick up Jalen Smith’s team option

When the Pacers blew up their roster they were able to start accumulating young talent which will hopefully speed up this process. They turned Craig into a 22-year-old power forward in Jalen Smith, who they are looking to be the long-term replacement for Sabonis.

They also received a 2022 second-round pick but with the Suns finishing at the top of the NBA standings, this pick will have little value. The true gem of this trade was Smith, who was the tenth pick in the 2020 NBA draft.

Smith blossomed thanks to more playing time with the Pacers. He only played 22 games, starting four of them. He averaged 13.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.0 blocks, and 0.8 assists in 24.7 minutes per game. He was also very efficient, going 53.1 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from the perimeter, and 76.0 percent from the line.

Given that it is only his second season in the league, Smith has a lot of growing to do. The Pacers are going to surround the 21-year-old with more young talent in order to help develop chemistry as a team. Smith has two seasons left on his rookie deal which will allow the team to potentially sign some quality veterans as well due to his price tag, and others on the team, being so low.

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