The Detroit Pistons and Indiana Pacers each made roster moves on Thursday afternoon. What do the moves mean for each franchise?
What Is Next For the Pistons and Pacers After Recent Moves?
Indiana was first up, as ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that the Pacers were waiving Mac McClung to sign Monte Morris. This move isn’t a huge surprise, as the Pacers had wanted to bring in Morris to camp, but were unable to do so because he was dealing with a calf injury. The Pacers signed McClung to a non-guaranteed multi-year deal 10 days ago, as they have dealt with several injuries early in the season.
McClung, who signed with the Pacers on October 28, ended up appearing in three games on his first NBA standard contract — he received two DNPs in the last three contests. The three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion finished his tenure with the Pacers with 6.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 11.3 minutes a game.
While McClung’s contract with Indiana was his first standard deal, the 26-year-old guard had signed a couple of 10-day deals and minor league contracts. The Pacers were McClung’s fifth team, though he has only played in nine NBA games, totalling 110 minutes. He has also appeared in games for the Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Lakers, and Orlando Magic.
Morris is a nine-year veteran who spent last season with the Phoenix Suns. Morris averaged 5.2 points and 1.6 assists in 12.7 minutes over 45 appearances. He scored in double-figures eight times and compiled shooting splits of 42.6/36/85.7 for the Suns. In addition to the Pacers, Morris has also spent time with the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, and Minnesota Timberwolves.
Morris’s deal is for $2.99 million over one year, which is non-guaranteed until January 10, according to the Indianapolis Star’s Dustin Dopirak. Despite the $2.08 million cap hit for Morris and $163,065 hit for McClung, the Pacers are still over $5 million below the luxury tax.
What Will Monte Morris’ Role Be With Pacers?
McClung is a freakish athlete who has spent most of his professional career in the G League, where he has been productive. However, McClung is not a true lead guard and is undersized at 6-2 for a shooting guard. He is a scorer who excels when attacking the basket. However, offensive efficiency and defense limitations are something he hasn’t been able to overcome.
Morris was one of the top backup point guards during his tenure with Denver, but he has been limited due to injuries recently. Morris, who has appeared in only 78 games over the last two seasons, is very quick and an excellent facilitator, boasting a career assist-to-turnover ratio of 5-to-1. He excels in pick-n-rolls and is a reliable 3-point shooter, who is a career 39% shooter from beyond the arc. He is a sevvicable defender due to his quick hands and anticipation.
Pacers Injuries
Indiana entered the season shorthanded, and their backcourt is now completely depleted with injuries to Andrew Nembhard, Quenton Jackson, Bennedict Mathurin, and Johnny Furphy. Thus, leaving Taelon Peter, RayJ Dennis, Ben Sheppard, and Cody Martin as the only healthy backcourt players for the Pacers. Sheppard and Aaron Nesmith started in the backcourt in a loss to Brooklyn on Wednesday.
While Indiana’s official injury report for its game against Denver has not been released, the Pacers aren’t expected to have Nembhard (shoulder), Mathurin (toe), Jackson, or Furphy. However, rookie Kam Jones (back) may be available, though that has not been confirmed. Jones has yet to make his NBA debut.
If all players are out and Morris is available to play, expect the 30-year-old to serve as Sheppard’s backup. Peter would be the Pacers’ fourth guard, followed by Dennis.
Scott Agnew of Fieldhouse Files reported that Morris is officially signed. Agnew added that the Pacers flew out to Denver this morning, which he said was unusual.
Pacers Injuries
Through eight games, Indiana (1-7) has lost 47 player games to injury. When will the players return?
Tyrese Haliburton: Out for Season.
TJ McConnell, hamstring: Could return soon, though the Pacers aren’t rushing anything. McConnell was expected to miss a month of action, which is about up, though he likely will need time to ramp up.
Andrew Nembhard, shoulder: Has been out since suffering a shoulder injury on October 23. There is no timetable for his return.
Obi Toppin, foot surgery: Out until at least February 1.
Quenton Jackson. Hamstring: Will miss at least three more games as he has sat out the previous two.
Bennedict Matburin: toe. Considered to be week-to-week, and the injury occurred on November 3. So, expect him to miss Saturday’s contest.
Kam Jones, back: Out through November 9. So, he is likely questionable for tomorrow’s contest. However, he is likely to spend time in the G-League.
Pistons Claimed Isaac Jones
Detroit (6-2) surprisingly added former Sacramento Kings big man Isaac Jones on a waiver claim, Charania reported. Sacramento released Jones on Tuesday to make room for Precious Achiuwa.
Jones is a 6-9 forward who can play either the four or five. The 25-year-old, still in the developmental stage of his career, has appeared in 43 NBA games, including three this season, for the Kings over the last two years. He owns career averages of 3.2 points, on 64.7% shooting, and 1.7 boards in 7.5 minutes of action.
Jones is a long, high-energy, and athletic player who is an outstanding finisher at the basket, converting 75% of his attempts within three feet, although he remains effective out to 10 feet. The third-team All-G-League selection is also an outstanding offensive rebounder with some defensive and shot-blocking upside.
Pistons Salary Cap Situation
The question is how Jones fits in with the Pistons. The 25-year-old is not quite ready for a second unit role, especially one that figures to compete for the Eastern Conference title. Jalen Duren, Isaiah Stewart, Paul Reed, Tobias Harris, and Ron Holland are the Pistons’ major frontcourt rotational players. The Pistons had an open roster spot, so no corresponding move was needed.
Speaking of Harris, the 33-year-old has been ruled out for the third straight game due to an ankle injury. There is no word on how long Harris will be out of action. But if the Pistons suspect that the injury will linger, that may be a reason that they signed Jones.
With Harris out, Stewart will likely continue to start at the four. Holland has shown growth in year two, averaging nearly 22 minutes, although the 20-year-old has seen a season-high 28 minutes on Wednesday against Utah. Stewart and Duren have also seen an uptick in minutes over the last two contests. Reed is capable of being the fourth big, though. If someone else in the frontcourt, such as JB Bickerstaff, is the only frontcourt option besides going small with Ausar Thompson and Green, the inexperienced Bobi Klintman, who has totaled 49 minutes, and Tolu Smith, who is on a two-way deal, would be the alternatives. Jones and Green’s contracts don’t become fully guaranteed until January 10.
Other Moves
With the claim, the Pistons absorb Jones’ $1.9 million salary cap hit. Therefore, leaving the Pistons $19.1 million below the luxury tax threshold. So, they have plenty of room to make subsequent moves before the NBA trade deadline, if they choose.
Speaking of other moves, Brett Siegel of Clutch Points reported earlier today that there remains mutual interest between Malik Beasley and the Pistons.
“Essentially, Beasley is stuck in limbo until his name is cleared of any wrongdoing,” Siegel said. “No team is willing to offer him a contract until this happens. Even so, Beasley is still holding out hope that he will be able to play this season and hopes to return to Detroit. The Pistons remain interested in bringing the sharpshooter back, and that interest is mutual, sources said.”
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