The Pacers have aspirations of returning to the playoffs and mounting another deep run next season. They made a move that they hope helps them achieve that goal, signing veteran wing Kelly Oubre Jr in free agency. Oubre gives Indiana improved depth on the wing, adding an 11-year vet who is a proven scorer and capable defender. When speaking with the media following the NBA Draft on June 25, Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan pointed to the wing as an area where the Pacers would like to add depth. Indiana has two proven starters in shooting guard Andrew Nembhard and small forward Aaron Nesmith, along with developing reserves Ben Sheppard and Jarace Walker. But Indiana’s wing depth took a hit at the trade deadline, when the Pacers traded sixth man Bennedict Mathurin (a pending restricted free agent) to the Clippers in the deal that landed new starting center Ivica Zubac. And with third-year forward Johnny Furphy set to miss the start of next season while recovering from tearing his ACL in February, Buchanan and the Pacers front office wanted to add a veteran wing this offseason. Oubre effectively provides a replacement for Mathurin. He has averaged 13.3 points per game over 11 NBA seasons, with a double-digit scoring average each of the last nine seasons. Oubre has started and come off the bench at each of his five previous stops. He averaged a career-best 20.3 points per game for Charlotte in 2022-23 and averaged 14.1 points while shooting a career-high 36 percent from 3-point range last season with Philadelphia. At 6-foot-8, Oubre has the size to play either wing position and potentially even function as a power forward in smaller lineups. He rebounds well for his position, pulling down 5.0 rebounds per game or better in six of the last seven seasons. Oubre is a streaky shooter, but capable of catching fire and going off on any given night. He has made five or more threes in 31 games in his career. The Pacers saw firsthand what he can do when he’s hot a few years ago, as Oubre made a career-high 10 threes for the Hornets in a 158-126 win at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Jan. 26, 2022. The 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, Oubre has veteran experience but is still in the prime of his career. He is 30 years old and coming off a season where he was a starter on a Sixers team that reached the second round of the playoffs, knocking off the second-seeded Celtics in the first round. The Pacers hope to make an even deeper run next season, building on their recent success that saw them reach the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024 and the NBA Finals in 2025. They believe Oubre’s addition gives them another experienced, versatile piece capable of helping them make that push. ===== LARRY NANCE JR. SIGNS ONE-YEAR DEAL WITH INDIANA PACERS, LEAVING CAVALIERS The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to reshape their roster following another successful regular season, but one familiar veteran won’t be returning. On Wednesday, longtime NBA forward Larry Nance Jr. agreed to leave Cleveland in free agency, ending his second stint with the franchise after just one season. While Nance wasn’t a major part of Kenny Atkinson’s rotation during the 2025-26 campaign, he provided frontcourt depth and veteran leadership for a Cavaliers team that finished 52-30 before reaching the playoffs. Now, the Ohio native is headed to a new destination, giving the Indiana Pacers another experienced option in their frontcourt as they continue building their roster for the 2026-27 season. According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Nance has agreed to a one-year contract with Indiana. “Free agent Larry Nance Jr. has agreed to a one-year, $4 million deal with the Indiana Pacers.” Multiple reports later clarified that the contract is expected to be worth approximately $3.88 million, a veteran minimum deal that gives Indiana added frontcourt depth. About The Author troyderengowski61@gmail.com See author's posts
