Having traded away Paul George just a few days ago, the Indiana Pacers are clearly in a state of flux. To help them stay afloat while they figure out their new direction, the team has reportedly agreed to a deal with a familiar face.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reports that the Pacers have agreed to a two-year, $20 million deal with free agent point guard Darren Collison. The 29-year-old played for the Pacers from 2010-2102 and spent the last three seasons with the Sacramento Kings.
Free agent guard Darren Collison has agreed in principle to a two-year, $20 million deal with the Indiana Pacers, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 3, 2017
Collison has produced consistently throughout his eight-year career, and will likely fill in as the starting point guard for Jeff Teague, who has agreed to sign with Minnesota.
As the Pacers ease third-year center Myles Turner into a featured role, Collison will provide ball-handling and help make up the 23.7 points per game Indiana lost with the departure of George (Collison averaged 13.2 points for the Kings last season). A quick guard who can get to the basket, Collison is also an adept mid-range shooter and has shot over 40 percent from the 3-point line the last two seasons.
The second year of the deal is reportedly only partially guaranteed, so there's really no risk here for the Pacers. Collison isn't the point guard of the future in Indy, but he's more than capable of keeping the team competitive while it contemplates its next moves.
