Pacers big man Jalen Smith has decided not to pick up his player option for the 2024/25 season, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype (Twitter link). Declining that $5.42MM option will make Smith an unrestricted free agent on Sunday.
Smith, one of Myles Turner‘s backups at center, was among the beneficiaries of the Pacers’ high-flying offense led by Tyrese Haliburton, setting new career highs in points per game (9.9), field-goal percentage (59.2%), and three-point percentage (42.4%) in 2023/24. He also contributed 5.5 rebounds per game in his part-time role (17.2 MPG).
Teams with interest in Smith may be wary of his leap in efficiency – he was a 48.5% career shooter, including 29.7% on three-pointers prior to ’23/24 – but he’s a versatile forward/center who is still just 24 years old and should get a long look from teams in need of frontcourt depth.
A new agreement with Indiana remains a possibility, since the team will hold his Bird rights and can go over the cap to re-sign him. However, Indiana has already committed to Pascal Siakam on a four-year, maximum-salary contract and will have to deal with Obi Toppin‘s restricted free agency as well.
With the luxury tax line to consider and Isaiah Jackson a candidate to take on a larger role at the five, the Pacers will likely be cautious about how high they go to retain Smith, who came in at No. 42 on our list of this year’s top 50 free agents.
This guy is talented. The Miami Heat can turn him into an all-star.
Relax Eddie
Smart move. Teams will overpay for a 24 year old.
Worth picking up for the Bulls if his leap in efficiency isn’t too much of a fluke? Bulls need rebounding, size at PF, and 3pt shooting. He could backup the 4 and 5 spots.
It’s not if used right…myles Turner was one of his comps for me in his draft
Would much rather have tried to sign him than draft Ware…
As a Pacers fan, he was a nice weapon to have during the regular season but he was so out of his depth in the playoffs that we had to bench him. The unique roster construction of the Pacers allowed them to try him for a couple minutes, see if he could hit a couple wide open shots and get hot, and if not, sit him down before too much damage was done. I think he’ll get exposed if he plays heavy minutes, but if you’re looking for a backup stretch 5 and don’t mind if he gets pushed around a bit, I suppose there are worse options. I wouldn’t pay him more than the 5 mill he just opted out of, though.
Nice buy low for my bulls. Won’t break the bank.
Lakers ……
Knicks makes sense once Robinson gets dealt. Pels maybe.