The Pacers are beyond up-and-coming, they are one of the top teams in the NBA. After finishing the 2011-12 season with the fifth best record in the league, the now stable Pacers franchise has become an interesting landing spot for many free agents.
According Yahoo! Sports’ Adrian Wojnarowski, the Pacers are taking a hard look at former Trail Blazer Brandon Roy. The Bulls, Mavericks and Timberwolves are also highly interested, according to the report.
Pacers executive Kevin Pritchard made a draft day deal for Roy in 2006 as Blazers GM, and his relationship could play a pivotal part in Indiana’s recruitment of Roy, sources said. Roy trusts Pritchard, and values the fact that he brought him to Portland. Nevertheless, Roy hasn’t begun the process of narrowing his list of possibilities. After Thursday’s draft, more teams could express interest with him.
Roy played five often fabulous seasons for the Blazers, where he became a two-time All-Star and one of the NBA’s best and most popular young players. The chronic knee injuries started to take a toll in his final two seasons, and Roy struggled to play 47 games in the 2010-11 season before Portland used the amnesty clause after the lockout. In his five seasons, Roy averaged 19 points per game.
Who knows if Roy will be healthy enough to make a comeback. He’s at least going to try.
Free agency begins July 1st. This week, teams are focused on the draft, held Thursday in New Jersey. Indiana has just one pick, No. 26.