Pacers Notes: Trade Targets, Free Agent Targets, Nembhard, Pre-Draft Workouts

The Pacers aren’t expected to make a major trade this summer after acquiring Ivica Zubac at February’s trade deadline. However, there are some lower-level acquisitions they could make this offseason and the Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak explores which players they might pursue.

In terms of a scoring option, they could go after a player like Malik Monk or Max Strus. Dopirak anticipates it would require Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard to make such a deal a reality. Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe could also become available if Oklahoma City decides to offload some salary.

Dalton Knecht and Saddiq Bey could be options to fill that role without sacrificing a top-eight player. Khris Middleton, Anfernee Simons, Kevin Huerter, Quentin Grimes, Kelly Oubre, Ayo Dosunmu and Bones Hyland are some of the players who could be targeted with their non-taxpayer mid-level exception.

Here’s more on the Pacers:

• Guard Andrew Nembhard played in 57 games and averaged a career high 31.3 minutes per game. His counting stats rose but his intangibles are just as crucial to the team’s success, Tony East writes in a CircleCitySpin.com piece. “I think I’ve always been a guy who tries to lead by example and go out there and show I can compete,” Nembhard said. “But I think this year I was put in a position where I had to voice my opinion more, kind of rally the troops in a way.” Nembhard is entering the second year of a three-year, $58.65MM contract.
• They will hold their third and fourth pre-draft workouts on Thursday and Friday, respectively, according to a team press release. Thursday’s workout includes John Camden (California), Melvin Council Jr. (Kansas), Tamin Lipsey (Iowa State), Corey Stephenson (Florida International), Malik Thomas (Virginia), and Jalen Warley (Gonzaga).
• Their Friday workout includes Sam Alexis (Indiana), Chris Bell (California), Kylan Boswell (Illinois), Maliq Brown (Duke), Isaac McKneely (Louisville), and Braden Smith (Purdue). Indiana currently doesn’t have a pick in this year’s draft but a trade could change that.