The Pacers will not exercise the team option of $4 million on the final year of Lavoy Allen’s contract, according to his representatives at ASM Sports.
This move was expected as the Pacers continue to seek a deal enticing enough to trade Paul George, thus signaling a rebuild. The had until June 26 to finalize their decision.
See Also: Paul George remains a Pacer (for now), but message sent to team officials stings
Allen could see the writing on the wall, recently changing his Twitter bio to “Official twitter of _______ _______ Lavoy Allen.” That’s Lavoy and his dry humor.
Allen becomes a free agent for the second time. He signed a three-year deal with the Pacers in 2015, which included a team option for the 2017-18 season.
The 28-year-old Allen appeared in 61 games, starting in just five this season after 28 games the year prior under coach Frank Vogel. His point per game average (2.9) was the lowest in more than three seasons in Indy.
He did not like how his role was unpredictable or how often it changed. One night he might start, the next he may not even take off his shooting shirt. “Ha, [it changed] a lot of times,” he said after the team was swept by Cleveland. in the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs.
“I’m always ready to play so it’s not that hard. Just not knowing isn’t really a good feeling but I’m always ready to play, whether it’s starting, coming off the bench, or not playing at all.”
[Lavoy Allen writes ‘Go Pacers!!!’ on Cavs’ court at The Q]
Lavoy Allen played three-plus seasons in Indy. [Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E]
“I didn’t think it would be that bad,” Allen said of the drop-off defensively. “It was worse than what we thought it would be. We were so inconsistent. Some games we looked good defensively, other games we looked absolutely terrible. And the same thing with our offense.”
The Pacers currently have just six players under contract, seven including first-round pick T.J. Leaf, who’s rookie deal guarantees him at least two years pay. Paul George ($19.5 million) — for now — is on the books for the 2017-18 season, along with Thad Young ($15M), Monta Ellis ($11.2M), Al Jefferson ($9.7M), Lance Stephenson ($4.1M), and Myles Turner ($2.5M).
Earlier this month, C.J. Miles declined his player option worth $4.772 million for 2017-18, and he, too, will be an unrestricted free agent.
“We built this team to compete in the east and we failed to do that. That really sucked,” he added.
And with this move, Danny Granger’s tie to the franchise is gone. Remember, Allen and Evan Turner were acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange at the 2014 trade deadline.
What about GR3 and joey buckets? They will assuredly pick up thier options if that is how those deals are structured
I fully expect them not to waive GRIII. At this point, he may be a starter next season. Young and Christmas are interesting … because by now, the team should know exactly what both players are and what they’re capable of.
Joe Young told me he plans to play in Summer League, which is notable.