PACERS

Bargains & Busts: Pacers free agency scorecard

Matthew Glenesk
matthew.glenesk@indystar.com
Left to right with varying degrees of success: David West, Gerald Green and Sarunas Jasikevicius.

Pacers fans looking forward to NBA free agency simply aren't aware of history.

Either that or they're gluttons for punishment.

As general manager Kevin Pritchard said prior to last week's NBA draft, Indianapolis isn't exactly a preferred destination for millionaire 20- and 30-somethings.

It's just the way it is.

We love it here in Indy. Former players love it here in Indy. (The number of them that choose to live here after their playing days illustrates that.) It's just that it's hard to convince young men in their prime to forsake the glitz of Miami, L.A. or New York and head to the Heartland.

So with that backdrop, we'll open with the caveat that attracting big-name free agents to Indiana is an uphill battle. You have to take risks other markets don't. And those risks bring a wide range of results.

We've looked at the Pacers' offseason free agent signings over the last 10 years and broken them into four categories: Best Buys, Fair Value, Lemons and Inconsequential. We think they're pretty self-explanatory.

BEST BUYS

David West declined his player option for 2015-16.

1. David West (2011, two-year, $20M) -- In search of a power forward, the Pacers' hunt narrowed down to Nene or West. Nene came with a much higher price tag, while West, then 31 years old, was coming off a knee injury that may have scared away some suitors.

West chose the Pacers' shorter "prove it" deal over the Celtics, and the veteran forward quickly became a team leader as a young Pacers core matured into Eastern Conference contenders.

"West also adds a locker-room presence the Pacers needed," wrote former IndyStar columnist Bob Kravitz in late 2011. "This young team has long lacked any real in-house leadership. But now you add West and George Hill, two grown-ups, and it changes the dynamics of the group."

After averaging 15.0 points and 7.2 rebounds a game in two seasons, the Pacers rewarded West with a new three-year contract extension, though this week, West declined to exercise the final year on his deal, becoming an unrestricted free agent.

If West's days in Indiana are in fact over -- with rumored interest in New York -- he should be given credit for taking a chance on Indiana, rarely a destination for free agents with multiple All-Star appearances.

Pacers guard Rodney Stuckey was a bargain last year.

Rodney Stuckey (2014, one-year, $1.2M) -- Lance Stephenson's free agency departure to Charlotte opened the door for Stuckey, who joined the Pacers at the bargain price of the veteran's minimum. He far outperformed that deal, averaging 12.6 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season for the Pacers.

As IndyStar Pacers Insider Candace Buckner wrote earlier this week, at this time last year, Stuckey was a basketball pariah. There were whispers around the NBA that he was a malcontent and had the potential to be a locker room cancer. In Indiana, that wasn't the case.

"You hear things but last year, (Stuckey) was as professional as anyone I've ever been around," said Larry Bird, Pacers president of basketball operations. "He was great. He's a winner. He comes to play. He plays hurt. He's a good player and that's the kind of guys I want on my team."

Stuckey is an unrestricted free agent that the Pacers want back. "I want him back… he knows how much I want him," Bird said.

However, at least five teams have already expressed interest in the veteran guard. David West's decision not to opt in creates some cap flexibility to re-sign Stuckey, who will earn much more than he did last season.

C.J. Miles made fans with his hot shooting in the season's second half.

C.J. Miles (2014, four-year, $17.95M) -- Looking to improve their 3-point shooting, the Pacers invested heavily in Miles, hoping he'd replicate the 38.7 percent from behind the arc he shot for the Cavaliers the previous two seasons.

Miles got off to a rough start in Indiana, failing to reach double figures in scoring in 10 of his first 14 games as a Pacer. But after a 30-point outburst Dec. 10, Miles found his stroke.

Miles scored at least 20 points 15 times last season (tied for the team lead with George Hill) and no Pacers player scored more than Miles' 942 total points. He finished the year averaging a career-high 13.5 points a game and should feature heavily in a Pacers offense that gets a healthy Paul George back.

LEMONS

Jasikevicius Smiles didn't last long in Indiana.

Sarunas Jasikevicius (2005, three-year, $12M) -- Much was expected of Jasikevicius. You see him score 27 and 28 points against the U.S. in back-to-back Olympics, and you begin to dream a little dream.

And his resume wasn't limited to the Olympic cycle. In the three years prior to arriving in Indy, he won three straight Euroleague titles (one with Barcelona, two with Maccabi Tel Aviv, winning MVP in 2005) and helped Lithuania to the European championship.

"I think he's the best player in Europe," Bird said July 1, 2005. "He's one of the best competitors I've ever seen."

Jasikevicius was brought in as competition (and insurance) for Jamaal Tinsley, who had trouble staying healthy. And true to form, Tinsley missed 40 games during the 2005-06 season. But while Jasikevicius enjoyed a two-week run as a starter, he was resigned to the bench in favor of Anthony Johnson. Johnson, a 31-year-old journeyman, would end up making 53 starts, compared to Jasikevicius' 15.

In 112 games with the Pacers, Jazzy Cabbages (yes, that's a nickname, look it up!) averaged 7.3 points and 3.0 assists and was traded to Golden State in the middle of the 2007 season in a deal that brought Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy and parts.

Pacers fans have been scared of further European incursion since. We're looking at you Stanko Barac, Erazem Lorbek and Primoz Brezec.

Gerald Green had a career-year... the season after the Pacers traded him.

Gerald Green (2012, three-year, $10.5M) -- A former first-round pick, Green spent two years out of the NBA playing in Russia, China and the D-League before resurfacing in 2012. He turned a 10-day contract with the Nets into a successful 31-game stint, where he averaged 13 points. That brief burst convinced Kevin Pritchard to roll the dice on Green in an attempt to improve a lagging Pacers bench.

"He's one of the most dynamic athletes I've seen, and how he's improved will make him a great addition to the Pacers family," the Pacers general manager said following the signing.

He was a colossal disappointment and never looked comfortable in Indiana. He averaged 7 points in 60 games for the Pacers and was dealt to Phoenix with Miles Plumlee and a first-round pick for Luis Scola.

Naturally, as former Pacers tend to do, Green enjoyed a career year with the Suns, averaging 15.8 points during the 2013-14 season.

Pacers forward Chris Copeland, center, was too often a spectator his first two seasons in Indiana.

Chris Copeland (2013, two-year, $6.1M) -- Another player who took a circuitous route to the Pacers, Copeland spent one season in the D-League and five overseas with stops in Belgium, Germany and Spain before cracking the NBA with the Knicks in 2012. A sharpshooter off New York's bench, Copeland averaged 8.7 points in 56 games.

After watching him knock down 11 3-pointers in the Knicks' playoff series versus the Pacers, Indiana targeted Copeland in free agency and put together a deal the cap-strapped Knicks couldn't match.

Copeland's defensive liabilities never seemed to mesh with the Pacers' identity, and he was often buried deep on Frank Vogel's bench. In 2014, he averaged 3.7 points and 0.8 rebounds in just 6.5 minutes a game. That equates to $11,320 per minute. He did however lead the team in fan chants.

Last season, Copeland saw an uptick in playing time, even starting 12 games for the injury-ravaged Pacers. However, his second season ended after a New York City nightclub incident in which he was stabbed.

A free agent, Copeland's status with the team remains up in the air.

D.J. Augustin had career lows during his time in Indiana.

D.J. Augustin (2012, one-year, $3.5M) -- In Larry Bird's never-ending quest to bolster the Pacers' bench, Augustin looked like a shrewd acquisition. In his two years prior to signing in Indiana, he averaged 13.1 points and 6.2 assists while starting 128 of 130 games for the Bobcats.

But Augustin never settled into a reserve role here, serving as George Hill's understudy. As a Pacer, he averaged career lows across the board (4.7 points, 2.2 assists). Of course a year later, Pacers fans watched as Augustin played like Bird had hoped, but instead for the Bulls. Augustin averaged 14.9 points and 5.0 assists in 61 games in Chicago.

He spent last season split between Detroit and Oklahoma City, averaging 9.5 points and 4.3 assists.

So in summation, Augustin with the Pacers: 4.7 points, 2.2 assists; Augustin with everyone else: 11.0 points and 4.4 assists.

Travis Diener spent two-plus seasons with the Pacers.

Travis Diener (2007, three-year, $4.8M) -- In Larry Bird's first season with complete personnel control, the Pacers didn't exactly swing for the fences. Diener joined a free agent crop of Kareem Rush, Stephen Graham and Andre Owens in 2007.

The Pacers gave Diener a healthy three-year contract for some reason after the former Marquette guard averaged 3.8 points and 1.0 assist a game in two years with Orlando -- playing no more than 26 games in either season.

"We're going to get players, maybe they don't have the biggest names in the league, but they all fit a style coach (Jim) O'Brien wants to play," Bird said in 2007.

Well, like most things that went wrong during the 2000s, blame Jim O'Brien.

Diener averaged 5.3 points and 3.0 assists a game in two-plus seasons in Indiana and shot just 38 percent from the field. After being waived midseason in 2010, Diener was picked up by the Blazers, but played just seven times for them and was out of the NBA after that.

FAIR VALUE

After a two-year run, C.J. Watson isn't likely to return to Indiana.

C.J. Watson (2013, two-year, $4M) -- Signed to serve as George Hill's primary backup, Watson rebounded from a rough first season in Indiana to average 10.0 points and 3.6 assists a game this past year. However, Watson was among those on the lengthy list of injured Pacers this season, missing 25 games with various foot ailments.

He started 21 games for the shorthanded Pacers, but team president Larry Bird said after the season, he doesn't expect Watson to return for the 2015-16 season.

Damjan Rudez had his moments during his rookie year.

Damjan Rudez (2014, three-year, $3.4M) -- As mentioned with C.J. Miles' signing, improving the team's perimeter shooting was a top priority for Larry Bird last offseason. Rudez came to the Pacers with a reputation as one of Europe's top shooters, and the Pacers were sold after an impressive summer workout.

Prior to arriving in Indy, Rudez averaged 10.5 points while shooting 43 percent on 3-pointers for Spanish side Cai Zaragoza. The 6-10 Croatian played 68 games for the Pacers, averaging 4.8 points a game, while shooting 40.6 percent from behind the arc.

Donald Sloan is an unrestricted free agent this summer.

Donald Sloan (2013, two-year, $1.8M) -- A D-League standout and seemingly perpetual 10-day contract player, Sloan impressed the Pacers in Summer League play, earning a two-year, guaranteed deal.

Preferably the Pacers' third point guard, injuries thrust Sloan into a bigger role than expected last season. He started 21 times, performing well offensively, averaging 11.4 points and 5.2 assists in his starts. For the season, Sloan averaged a career-high 7.4 points and 3.6 assists a game.

An unrestricted free agent this summer, Sloan told The Star's Candace Buckner, "I would love to come back to Indiana."

Dahntay Jones was brought to Indiana for his defense.

Dahntay Jones (2009, four-year, $11M) -- After a season in which the Pacers allowed a whopping 106.2 points per game, the team went in search of defensive help. Enter Jones, a rugged guard known as a defensive specialist.

While Jones helped improve Indiana's defense, he also provided a surprising offensive boost in his first season with the Pacers, averaging a career-high 10.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists a game.

He started 31 of his 186 games with the Pacers, but was eventually traded with Darren Collison to Dallas for Ian Mahinmi in 2012.

Rasual Butler made the Pacers out of training camp.

Rasual Butler (2013, one-year, $1.3M) -- Out of the NBA for a season after a 10-year pro career, Butler was invited to Pacers training camp after a strong showing in the Summer League. At 34, he made the team and added an "old soul" to a melding locker room.

A dependable spot-up shooter (41.9 percent on 3s for the Pacers), Butler averaged a career-low 2.7 points a game, but gave the team more than they could've hoped when they picked him up. Butler scored a season-high 19 in the season finale, and showing there was still life in his legs, was picked up by Washington a year later on a non-guaranteed contract for the minimum. And Butler made the team. And played in 75 games. And averaged 7.7 points a game. At 35. Good on you, Mr. Butler.

INCONSEQUENTIAL

Left to right: Earl Watson, Maceo Baston and Luther Head

Sam Young (2012, one-year, $723K) -- A useful and rugged wing player his first two seasons in the league with Memphis (7.4 points, 2.5 rebounds), Young was signed by the Pacers to add grit and punch to the bench. Instead, he averaged 2.8 points a game and has been playing overseas since.

Luther Head (2009, one-year, $884K) -- A solid bench player, Head did pretty much what was expected of him during his brief stay in Indiana (47 games). He scored 7.6 points a game, just a shade under his career average (8.2). Head exploded during a four-game stretch as a starter Dec. 30-Jan. 5, averaging 21.8 points filling in for an injured Danny Granger.

Solomon Jones (2009, two-year, $3.1M) -- "I think they want me to find a spot on this team or they wouldn't have signed me." Well, the Pacers had a spot for him, on the bench ... for two seasons. He averaged 3.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 91 games in Indiana, which almost mirror his eight-year career numbers (3.0, 2.3).

Earl Watson (2009, one-year, $2.8M) -- "I feel he's the best (free agent point guard) out there," Pacers president Larry Bird said after landing Watson. "(Allen) Iverson's out there, but for what we need, he's the best for us." Full disclosure, Iverson was 34 and washed up by this point, but man that would've been fun. Watson was steady in his lone season in Indiana, averaging 7.8 points and 5.1 assists with 52 starts.

Stephen Graham (2007, two-year, $1.6M) -- Between his twin brother and him, the Grahams have played for nearly a third of the league. Stephen himself, played for seven NBA teams, but spent more time with the Pacers than any other (74 games over the course of two seasons).

Kareem Rush (2007, one-year, $854K) -- Older brother of former Pacer Brandon Rush, Kareem signed with the Pacers after a season in Lithuania, and started 15 games, averaging 8.3 points for Indiana. On a side note, this is a chance for me to shamelessly plug a Q&A I wrote for ESPN.com in 2010 about Rush's "Smooth move into music." (Editor's Note: Please don't click.)

Maceo Baston (2006, two-year, $1.8M) -- The former Michigan star never enjoyed NBA success. The Pacers signed Baston after the big man starred for three seasons with Israel's Maccabi Tel Aviv. He averaged 2.9 points and 1.6 rebounds in his first go-round with the Pacers. Shockingly the Raptors, the team who originally drafted Baston, wanted him back so badly, they signed him to a two-year $3.8 million offer sheet. Indiana didn't match the offer and away Baston went -- only to return a few months later in a trade with T.J. Ford and Rasho Nesterovic.

Samaki Walker (2005, one-year, $364K) -- Walker spent his final days in the NBA with the Pacers, a seven-game stint that netted a full two points. Walker played for six teams in his 10 seasons, but never achieved what was expected of the former top-10 pick.