Indiana Pacers Reportedly Re-Sign Center Jalen Smith

The Indiana Pacers have come to an settlement on a brand new contract with younger middle Jalen Smith, in line with a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic.

In keeping with Scott Agness of Fieldhouse Recordsdata, the multi-year deal is value a complete worth of simply over $9.5 million. That’s roughly the utmost that Smith might get in a two-year deal from Indiana given the restrictions that the crew had in re-signing the large man.

These contract restrictions — the Pacers might solely provide Smith a deal that began at $4.67 million within the first yr — made a Smith cope with the Pacers appear unlikely. He was a vibrant spot for the blue and gold throughout a poor season, averaging 13.4 factors and seven.6 rebounds per recreation after being traded to the crew in February.

The previous quantity ten general decide was a free agent simply two seasons after being drafted, so combining his younger age together with his sturdy play made it appear as if the Pacers can be unable to retain the 22-year previous. However they succeeded, and now the crew within the Circle Metropolis provides one other under-25 participant to its lengthy listing of younger expertise.

“As a younger participant, you don’t wish to make the mistaken resolution,” Smith stated of his free company choices in April. He famous that match and alternative can be essential elements in his alternative, and the Pacers — a youthful crew not able to contend but — might present the proper atmosphere for Smith to develop.

“He’s obtained an incredible alternative right here,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle stated final week.

Smith will now play a big position in Indiana’s frontcourt, one which already options Myles Turner, Isaiah Jackson, Oshae Brissett, Goga Bitadze, Terry Taylor, and the not too long ago acquired Daniel Theis. The College of Maryland product can play at each the facility ahead and middle spots, which means he ought to have the ability to get minutes each night time. But it surely’s attainable that the Pacers make a transfer to create a extra apparent hierarchy within the frontcourt.

Both method, Smith will assist the Pacers, and it’s uncommon {that a} former top-ten decide turns into out there as a free agent so early of their profession — Indiana needs to be elated to have Smith on their roster for an additional yr. And Smith was chosen within the 2020 NBA Draft, which befell in November of that yr because the COVID-19 pandemic altered the NBA calendar. He’s solely been within the league for about 18 months — he has plenty of room to develop.

“I’m tremendous excited,” Pacers guard Duane Washington stated on Saturday of the crew coming to an settlement with Smith. “Simply to have the ability to hold a man like that round, it’s going to be nice for us. He desires to be round, he desires to construct with what we’ve obtained going.”

After buying and selling away Malcolm Brogdon and bringing again Jalen Smith, Indiana is popping towards a season outlined by improvement. Protecting Smith on the roster cements that, and the Pacers nonetheless have extra work to do that offseason to optimize their roster and get it trimmed all the way down to the appropriate dimension.