Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports Images
JULY 9th, 10:08am: The signing is official, the Pacers announced.
JULY 1st, 12:10pm: The Pacers and Jefferson are in agreement, according to Stein, who says the three-year deal won’t feature any options (Twitter links)
11:33am: The Pacers and unrestricted free agent Al Jefferson are nearing an agreement on a contract, Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical reports (Twitter link). The proposed deal would be for three years and $30MM, Marc Stein of ESPN.com tweets.
If Indiana does add Jefferson it will be the latest high-profile move the team has made this offseason, previously acquiring point guard Jeff Teague from the Hawks and combo forward Thaddeus Young from the Nets. It would appear that team executive Larry Bird is determined to remake his roster for new head coach Nate McMillan. Jefferson will add some needed toughness in the paint as well as solid veteran leadership to Indiana’s locker room.
Jefferson, 31, made just 47 appearances this season as he struggled with injuries. He averaged 12.0 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 23.3 minutes of action per outing. He shot .485/.000/.649 from the field on the year.
Wow Indiana is officially a top 3 team in The East. Even If AL Gets injured they still got Ian,Young, and Turner, he will only be a plus as another scorer for George. Indiana is officially a 54 win team next season
I think it’s safe to say they won’t be able to resign Ian after this.
Officially a top 3 team in the East? Doubt it. Even with the East being extraordinarily weak.
Ian is a free agent and they can’t afford to keep him with Al’s contract. Also how exactly is a lumbering center who has injury issues helping the Pacers at this point?
i can see top 3, still have miami
30 mill per year or total? If total, what a great deal considering the cap raise. 10 million feels like the new league minimum.
30 mil total. It’s not a bad contract at all. His fit into the team is questionable though imo.
This is another move that proves Larry Burd was spewing turds when he said he wants the offense to pick up the pace significantly…
He will be a bench player. games when they want to run he won’t play as much. Allen can be the third big then. games they want to slow down and pound it Jefferson will be third big. never hurts to have options
SORRY TO SEE Al Jefferson go but it was that time. He’ll be good off the bench, get those under the basket points. He’s starting to SLOW down and his defensive skills are big ? His last 2 yrs in Charlotte started showing some signs making him a part-time starter.