New signage was installed at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on Monday. Douglas was included in this player display.
It is what we thought it would be.
The Indiana Pacers finalized their roster Monday, officially waiving Toney Douglas to get down to the league-maximum of 15 players ahead of the 5 p.m. ET deadline.
Douglas has been in Indianapolis working out since early August and then signed with the team, which included a hefty partial guarantee ($600,000). Ultimately the 29-year-old lost out, as expected, to the 15 players all with guaranteed contracts.
On Monday afternoon, about two hours before the official press release was sent out, Douglas participated in practice. Then, he spoke with a handful of reporters and said that he wasn’t sure what the Pacers’ brass intended to do.
Douglas (No. 23) practices with the Pacers prior to being waived.
“[A] regular day, honestly,” he said. “I [came to practice] just like I had a three-year deal. I’m being honest. No nervous, no nothing.”
Douglas is a journeyman, having played for six different teams over the last four seasons. In exhibition play with the Pacers, he averaged 6.6 points and 1.6 assists per game in five appearances.
“Um, yes, I feel like I done enough to keep a roster spot and to also contribute to the team — not just be on the roster,” said Douglas. “It’s a long season; I can help this team. That’s my feeling.
“I feel like I played pretty good on both ends, not just on the offensive end but the defensive end. Hopefully (my future) is here.”
Douglas was asked if it helped at all knowing what he signed up — a slim chance with a roster full of guaranteed contracts — for back in August?
“I wouldn’t say it really helped,” he said. “I know what I got myself into but at the end of the day, I came here to stay here.”
Over the weekend, the Pacers waived C.J. Fair and Kadeem Jack, who were both brought in to learn the system and eventually end up in Fort Wayne with their D-League team.
“It’s the worst part of the job,” Vogel said of making cuts. “Especially when guys have earned the right to stay. It’s just a tough thing to do but everyone understands it’s a business and you wish them the best.”
It was hard to foresee a scenario in which he would stick. Head coach Frank Vogel already declared rookie Joe Young as his backup point guard, meaning Douglas would be the emergency third-string point guard. But with a longjam at wing, the Pacers have plenty of guys who can handle the ball and rather not waste a roster spot on a seldom-used player.
While teams can carry 15 players on their roster, only 13 may be active. Second-year big man Shayne Whittington and Rookie Rakeem Christmas will open the season on the inactive list.
The Breakdown
Guard:
George Hill
Monta Ellis
Rodney Stuckey
Joe Young
Forward:
Paul George
C.J. Miles
Chase Budinger
Glenn Robinson III
Solomon Hill
Jordan Hill
Rakeem Christmas
Center:
Ian Mahinmi
Myles Turner
Lavoy Allen
Shayne Whittington