The Pacers are moving on from Joe Young, opting not to pick up their $1.6 million option on the third-year guard.
Their decision not to pick up the final year of his rookie deal was expected after they drafted point guard Aaron Holiday out of UCLA with the 23rd pick in this year’s draft. Holiday will be third on the depth chart behind Darren Collison and Cory Joseph.
The Pacers drafted Young, the 2015 Pac-12 Player of the Year, in the second-round of the 2015 NBA Draft (43rd overall) but he never became a regular part of the rotation. He demonstrated his ability to score, but the 6-foot-2 guard struggled to defend opposing guards and finish against bigs in the paint.
Young wrote the following in an Instagram post:
“Indiana Pacers Family! I would like to thank you for the opportunity to play for such a storied franchise the last 3 years. I have learned so much and am thankful for everything Indiana and the organization have done for me. To the fans…all of the support and encouragement along the way has meant the world. Now, on to a new opportunity to show what I can do! 🙏🏽#Godplan”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkoFqaVFxoW/
Young, who appeared in 53 games last season, averaged 3.9 points and 1.2 rebounds per game. He made 25 of 66 three-point attempts. He originally signed a four-year deal in 2015 with the first two years fully guaranteed.
Joe Young is fifth cousins with ex-Pacer swingman Paul George.
[Photo: Frank McGrath/PS&E]