The Pacers added two players to their roster on Monday: 6-foot-8 forward Alex Poythress and 6-foot-6 guard Julyan Stone.
Poythress is the second rookie added to the Pacers’ roster.
These are both training camp deals, likely with the intention for these two to join their D-League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. The Pacers already have 15 players on their roster, the league maximum, and every one of them has the 2016-17 season fully guaranteed.
By signing these two to free-agent deals, they can have them in for training camp and retain their rights for the Developmental League. However, if any of the 29 other NBA teams want to sign either one want to put them on their 15-man NBA roster, they are free to do so.
[Shayne Whittington waived by Pacers days before contract guarantee]
Poythress, 22, was a rare four-year player for coach John Calipari at the University of Kentucky. In his senior season, he averaged 10.2 points and 6.0 rebounds.
While playing for the Orlando Magic Blue Team at summer league, Poythress averaged 5.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game – playing limited minutes in five games. He did not score (0-2 FGs) in eight minutes against the Pacers in a 85-79 loss.
Indiana is Stone’s third NBA team.
Meanwhile, Stone, 27, has played in 47 NBA games, 26 with the Denver Nuggets (2011-13) and 21 with the Toronto Raptors (2013-14). He averaged 1.3 points and 1.1 assists per game while in the league. The UTEP product also spent time in the NBA Developmental League, previously playing for both the Idaho Stampede and Iowa Energy.
Stone played on the Milwaukee Bucks’ summer league entry and his numbers did not impress. Appearing in five games, he averaged 2.8 points, 2.2 assists, 1.4 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in almost 19 minutes of work per contest.
Poythress has been in Indianapolis for several weeks working out.
We meet again @PieFivePizza pic.twitter.com/S7sozS0Uom
— Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) August 11, 2016
I didn't know Indiana had tornados
— Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) August 24, 2016
About to try this Long's Bakery
— Alex Poythress (@AlexTheGreat22) August 13, 2016
The Pacers, led by coach Nate McMillan, will host media day on Monday, Sept. 26 with training camp beginning the following day.
Watch highlights from Poythress in the player below: