AUGUST 15: The Pacers have officially signed Wilkins, the team announced today in a press release.
JULY 20: Veteran swingman Damien Wilkins is making an NBA comeback, according to Michael Scotto of Basketball Insiders, who reports (via Twitter) that Wilkins and the Pacers have agreed to a one-year deal. It will be a veteran’s minimum contract, per Scotto.
Wilkins, 37, has 563 career regular season games on his NBA résumé, but hasn’t played in the league since he spent the 2012/13 campaign with the Sixers. Since then, Wilkins has bounced around various international and G League clubs, most recently spending the 2016/17 campaign with the Greensboro Swarm.
In 48 games last season for Charlotte’s G League affiliate, Wilkins averaged 14.8 PPG, 5.3 RPG, and 3.8 APG, with a shooting line of .486/.358/.844.
While I wouldn’t expect Wilkins to have a substantial role for the Pacers in 2017/18, he’ll provide some veteran stability on a roster that has undergone significant changes this offseason, assuming he earns a spot on the 15-man regular season roster. However, Wilkins’ deal will be non-guaranteed, tweets Nate Taylor of The Indianapolis Star — that suggests the 37-year-old won’t be assured of a regular season roster spot.
Having lost Paul George, Jeff Teague, and C.J. Miles, Indiana has added Darren Collison, Victor Oladipo, Cory Joseph, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Domantas Sabonis this summer.
really… freaking really… all those free agents that were available in trade situations… the best u could do for ur team is ah 37yr old that hasn’t played since 2012/13 I Kno Pritchard just got the job… but he needs to be fired!!!!
Dude the Pacers look like a playoff team to be honest. Think about it, this is Turner’s team now and he will be a much better rebounder and is already a solid defender at the 5 who can stretch the floor. They have Sabonis and Leaf two bigs who will help them at the 4 and are very versatile. They added a 3-4 in Bogdanovic who can get you 15-35 points off the bench or starting. Oladipo is a 1-2 who can be a playmaker and scorer as well as play solid defense at the 2. They’ve got Lance to fall back on and Cory Joseph might be in a Harden situation finally taking a bigger role in Indy, be positive man.
They’ll compete for the 8 seed in the east and get swept by Cleveland or Boston. Not much to be excited about lol
Excited for this year I should say. I do like their future with Turner, Sabonis, and not a ton of expensive long term commitments other than Dipo.
Dipo is from Indy. He is one of the few shooting guards who can play defense and be a playmaker. I’m sure he’s licking his chops to prove himself.
Did you really just compare Harden to Cory Joseph? I know you catch a lot of flack on these boards Dionis but that was a LaVar Ball type of statement
I’m not saying he’s coming in averaging 26 ppg with 13 assists but if he starts I don’t see how he can’t average 15-18 ppg with 4 rpg and 6 Apg. Or they could just go with Lance or Collison at the 1. D’Angelo Russell will have a James Harden ascension, I’m expecting 23 5 and 5 from D-Russ.
lmaoooooo @pacers
Dionis comments about pacers are always off the wall. Pacers should tank…get in lottery…build for the future. Pacers will be sold soon. Maybe new owner will not suffer from luxury tax allergy. Simon would not allow Bird to go over by one dollar! George knew that and he knew they would never have a roster to win a ring. Move on…young players who play hard, play Hoosier basketball, and entertain the fans. Go Pacers / screw the Fakers!
Calderon plays D, Rose doesn’t…one big difference. Rose will keep Cleveland police busy. Cheater and a thug…why would LBJ want that in Cleveland?