Category: Indiana Pacers Blog

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Pacers sign forward Justin Anderson to a 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers have signed forward Justin Anderson to a 10-day contract.

Per the Indianapolis Star, “Anderson’s 10-day contract temporarily fills the Pacers’ open roster spot, which was created last month after Tristan Thompson was acquired from Sacramento in the Tyrese Haliburton-Domantas Sabonis trade and waived after four games. Thompson is now with the Bulls, while Anderson is back with the Pacers for the second time this season. The former Virginia star signed a 10-day deal with Indiana under the NBA’s COVID-19 hardship exception in January, averaging 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds in three games.”

Anderson will wear number 10 for the Pacers.

Pacers forward T.J. Warren will miss remainder of 2021-22 NBA season

Indiana Pacers forward T.J. Warren, who has not played since early last season, will not make his return to action this season.

Per ESPN.com, “although Indiana Pacers guard T.J. Warren has recovered from consecutive stress fractures in his left foot and returned to full basketball activities, he will sit out Indiana’s final 12 games and prepare for the 2022-23 season, sources told ESPN. Warren, 28, has missed the entirety of this season and played only four games in 2020-21 with the stress fractures.”

“Our organization’s guiding principle will always center on a holistic approach to our players’ health and prioritizing their overall well-being,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “T.J. Warren has worked incredibly hard over the past 14 months to get to this point – a full participant in on-court activity with his teammates – all while navigating the many challenges that accompany this type of injury. However, after thoughtful conversation with T.J. and his representatives, it has been determined that the most beneficial course of action at this point is to allow him to focus on the 2022-23 season. We will continue to provide T.J. with all the care, support, and resources necessary to ensure he returns to the high-level of play to which he’s accustomed.”

The Pacers are 24-47 this season. Warren played just four games in 2020-21 and hasn’t played at all in 2021-22. In 67 games played in 2019-20, he averaged 19.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. Prior to that season, Warren played for the Phoenix Suns.

Former Pacers coach Dick Versace passes away

Some sad news today, via the Indianapolis Star:

The Bradley University men’s basketball program announced the death of former Pacers coach Dick Versace on Friday. He was 81.

Versace was 73-87 in parts of three seasons with the Pacers, taking over 19 games into 1988-89. The team went 42-40 in 1989-90 and made the playoffs for just the third time in the franchise’s NBA history but Versace was fired after starting the 1990-91 season 9-16, with Bob Hill replacing him.

NBA trade sends Domantas Sabonis to Kings, Tyrese Haliburton to Pacers

The Sacramento Kings announced today that the team has acquired forward-center Domantas Sabonis, forward Justin Holiday, guard Jeremy Lamb and a 2023 second-round draft selection from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield and Tristan Thompson.

“We are ecstatic to welcome Domantas, Justin and Jeremy to our Sacramento Kings family,” said Kings General Manager Monte McNair. “This was a unique opportunity to acquire a two-time All-Star and two veteran wings, all whom will help us, as we continue to build here in Sacramento. We would also like to thank Tyrese, Buddy and Tristan for their contributions to the Kings and wish them well moving forward.”

During the 2021-22 campaign, Sabonis is averaging 18.9 points (.580 FG%, .324 3pt%, .740 FT%), 12.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 34.7 minutes per game in 47 games (46 starts). A former 11th overall selection in the 2016 draft by the Orlando Magic, Sabonis currently ranks third in the NBA in double-doubles with 34 and sixth in triple-doubles with five, while ranking fourth in the Association in rebounds per game and fifth in field goal percentage.

The Gonzaga product has garnered career averages of 14.2 points (.533 FG%, .322 3pt%, .727 FT%), 9.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 28.3 minutes per game in 400 games (260 starts) with the Oklahoma City Thunder (2016-17) and Indiana Pacers (2017-22).

Holiday brings eight years of experience to Sacramento holding career averages of 8.7 points (.401 FG%, .366 3pt%, .821 FT%), 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 551 games (260 starts) with the Philadelphia 76ers (2012-13), Golden State Warriors (2014-15), Atlanta Hawks (2015-16), Chicago Bulls (2015-16, 2017-18), New York Knicks (2016-17), Memphis Grizzlies (2018-19) and Indiana (2019-22).

In his tenth season from Connecticut, Lamb has accrued career averages of 10.2 points (.440 FG%, .344 3pt%, .857 FT%), 3.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 20.8 minutes per game in 556 contests (136 starts) for three teams: Oklahoma City (2012-15), Charlotte (2015-19) and Indiana (2019-22).

Pacers trade Caris LeVert to Cavaliers for Ricky Rubio

The Cleveland Cavaliers have acquired forward Caris LeVert and a 2022 second-round pick (via Miami) in a trade with the Indiana Pacers for guard Ricky Rubio, a lottery-protected 2022 first-round pick, 2022 second-round pick (via Houston) and 2027 second-round pick (via Utah), Cavaliers President of Basketball Operations Koby Altman announced today from Cleveland Clinic Courts.

“We are very excited to add a dynamic young player of this caliber and experience,” said Altman. “Caris LeVert fits uniquely into our culture and his Ohio roots brings an immediate connection to our community. We look forward to seeing what type of impact he can make on this roster. We also want to send our best wishes to Ricky Rubio and his family. Ricky has been the consummate professional and his leadership both on and off the court was invaluable and we respect everything he brought to this franchise.”

LeVert (6-6, 205) played in 39 games (all starts) for the Pacers this season, averaging 18.7 points, 4.4 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 31.1 minutes. Over his six-year NBA career, he has appeared in 299 games (170 starts) with Brooklyn and Indiana, owning career averages of 14.7 points, 4.0 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.09 steals in 27.4 minutes per contest. He has also appeared in nine career playoff games (six starts), averaging 20.7 points, 5.9 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.11 steals in 31.6 minutes. LeVert was selected with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft by the Pacers after attending the University of Michigan for four years (2012-2016).

Rubio (6-3, 190) was acquired by the Cavaliers on August 8, 2021 via trade from the Minnesota Timberwolves and played in 34 games this season (eight starts), averaging 13.1 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.44 steals in 28.5 minutes.

Indiana Pacers sign Reggie Perry to 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers have signed forward Reggie Perry to a 10-day contract under the NBA’s COVID-related hardship exception.

In 12 games (10 starts) during the G League regular season playing for Raptors 905, NBA G League affiliate of the Toronto Raptors, he is averaging 18.7 points,10.8 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 29.9 minutes.

Perry received his first NBA call up this season from the Portland Trailblazers, signing a 10-day contract on December 28th. In two games with the Trail Blazers, he averaged 5.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in 20.5 minutes.

The Mississippi State product was selected in the second round of the 2020 NBA Draft by the Brooklyn. In the 2021 G League season, Perry averaged 18.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 2.9 assists across 15 games (14 starts) for the Long Island Nets.

Perry will wear number 0 for the Pacers.

Pacers sign Lance Stephenson for remainder of season

The Indiana Pacers have signed guard Lance Stephenson through the end of the season.

Per the Indianapolis Star, “the 10-year NBA veteran’s second straight standard 10-day contract and fourth 10-day deal overall with the Pacers expired Wednesday after a loss to the Magic… Stephenson, a fan favorite, was drafted 40th overall by Indiana in 2010 and is in his third stint with the franchise. He’s played 19 games for the Pacers this season, averaging 9.4 points, 4.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds while shooting 48.1% from the field.”

Pacers sign Lance Stephenson to second 10-day contract

The Indiana Pacers today announced that they have signed guard Lance Stephenson to a second 10-day contract.

The Pacers previously signed Stephenson to a 10-day contract on January 14.

The Pacers are 17-30 this season, which is the 13th best record in the Eastern conference.

Their leading scorers so far in 2021-22 are Domantas Sabonis at 19.0 ppg, Malcolm Brogdon at 18.5 ppg, and Caris LeVert at 18.4 ppg.

Myles Turner out with stress reaction in left foot

Indiana Pacers forward/center Myles Turner – who missed yesterday’s game against the Clippers due to a sore left ankle/foot – has been examined by multiple specialists, who have determined the injury to be a stress reaction in his left foot.

Turner will continue to receive treatment and will be re-examined in two weeks, at which time the Pacers’ medical team will re-assess his status.