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Pacers Must Pursue This Free Agent Guard as Top Priority
Pacers Must Pursue This Free Agent Guard as Top Priority
The Indiana Pacers have just a couple of roster needs entering the NBA free agency market on Tuesday evening.
Unless Kevin Pritchard and the front office want to make aggressive changes, which doesn't seem to be the case, they will need more scoring off of the bench and they could consider upgrading the backup center position if the right player is available.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMostly, the Pacers need more scoring with Bennedict Mathurin no longer leading the second unit.
Keeping that in mind, there are a few players who could check that box for Indiana. There is one name that sticks out above the rest as a perfect fit for what the Pacers need.
Luke Kennard is set to become a free agent. He is coming off of a successful stint with the Los Angeles Lakers to close out the 2025-26 season after being traded by the Atlanta Hawks before the deadline.
During the 32 games and six starts Kennard had with the Lakers, he averaged nine points per game to go along with 2.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Kennard shot 52.7 percent from the floor and 44.8 percent from the three-point line.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNo, Indiana does not need a ball-dominant scorer. That is one of the reasons Mathurin struggled during his time with the Pacers. Indiana needs a scorer who can thrive off of the ball while T.J. McConnell runs point in the second unit.
That kind of role fits Kennard perfectly.
At 30 years old, Kennard has been one of the NBA's best shooters for years. He has shot 44.2 percent from the three-point arc throughout his entire 538-game career. That kind of shooting is not easy to find.
While he would primarily play in the second unit, Kennard would fit perfectly alongside of superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton as well. Having that kind of sharpshooter spacing the floor would be very valuable for the Pacers.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNow, the question becomes, can Indiana afford him?
Bringing in elite shooting usually doesn't come cheap. The Pacers currently do not have much financial wiggle room, but they could create some if needed. Should the front office target Kennard as their top priority, they could make things work.
Whether or not Indiana will target Kennard or not remains to be seen. But, if the Pacers truly want a scorer off of the bench and better shooting, he would be the best man for the job.