The Pacers engaged in serious talks with Monta Ellis shortly after the free agency period began. The shooting guard is expected to come to Indianapolis on Wednesday for a face-to-face visit, Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports reports.
Indiana needs offense and Ellis, a dynamic scorer, is a guy who can pile up points in a hurry. Ellis, 29, would easily fit in with the faster playing style Larry Bird and coach Frank Vogel want to utilize.
Team officials, including President Larry Bird and coach Frank Vogel, were courtside to observe the Pacers’ first Summer League practice, which ran until about 12:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday. GM Kevin Pritchard, however, was not present at the end when media was allowed in.
Ellis played his first six and a half seasons in Oakland with Golden State, just over a year in Milwaukee, and his last two in Dallas. This past year, he averaged 18.9 points, 4.1 assists, and 2.4 rebounds per game and shot 44.5 percent. The 10-year vet has scored at least 16 points per game in every season except his rookie year.
Ellis is on the market after he passed on $8.7 million guaranteed when he opted out last week. He originally signed a three-year, $25 million contract with Dallas in 2013.
Atlanta, Denver, and Sacramento also appear to be in the mix for Ellis’ services, as well as Miami if Dwyane Wade if he chooses to leave in free agency, says Ken Berger of CBS Sports.
A handful of contending teams reached out to Rodney Stuckey Wednesday morning. After playing for the veteran’s minimum ($1.2 million) last season, he is looking for a well-deserved pay raise. Should the Pacers and Ellis agree to a deal — which could be for roughly $32 million over three years, per Wojnarowski — Stuckey would be too expensive.
The Pacers currently have about $11 million in cap room to spend.
New deals can be agreed upon, but not signed until July 9th after the moratorium.