Hoops Rumors Community Shootaround 11/10/15

The Pacers entered this past offseason with the goal of retooling their roster to be smaller and faster. In order to help realize this goal, Indiana inked shooting guard Monta Ellis to a four-year, $44MM deal that includes a player option for the final season. The addition of Ellis, who at the age of 30 became the oldest player on Indiana’s newly revamped roster, was supposed to provide the Pacers with a second scorer who would help take some of the pressure off Paul George. It hasn’t quite worked out the way team president Larry Bird had hoped thus far, with Ellis only averaging 11.1 points on 35.3% shooting. Both of these numbers, if they were to continue for the duration of the 2015/16 campaign, would mark the lowest of the veteran’s career outside of his rookie campaign back in 2005/06.

While eight games is a small sample size to go on, the team and its fans certainly have some cause for alarm despite the 4-4 start to the season. Ellis has been a talented scorer in the league for years, but he’s also with his third team in four seasons, which is hardly a ringing endorsement of his perceived value around the league. This brings me to the topic for today: Was signing Monta Ellis to a four-year, $44MM deal a mistake by the Pacers?

Take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on the subject. We look forward to what you have to say.

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