In Bojan Bogdanovic, Pacers gain much needed shooting

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers continued to bolster their roster Friday after their news conference to introduce Victor Oladipo, Domantas Sabonis and Darren Collison. Bojan Bogdanovic agreed to a two-year, $21 million deal with the Pacers, a league source confirmed to IndyStar. 

The second year of Bogdanovic’s deal with the Pacers is partially guaranteed, though the figure was not immediately known.

Bogdanovic, a 6-8 small forward, split time last season between the Brooklyn Nets and Washington Wizards. He averaged 14.2 points in 44 games with the Nets and 12.7 points in 26 games with the Wizards. Bogdanovic started a career-high 54 games last season, all with Brooklyn. He set a career-high in points (13.7), rebounds (3.4) and assists per game (1.4) last season.

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The Pacers now have 13 players on their roster. They will begin Saturday with about $9 million left in salary cap space based on projections.

The best skill that Bogdanovic's bring to the Pacers is his perimeter shooting. The Pacers were in desperate need someone who could shoot from behind the arc in the aftermath of Paul George being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder this past week. 

In an era where NBA teams value the 3-pointer more than ever, Bogdanovic’s three-year career has been built on being a reliable shooter off the bench. He shot 36.7 percent on 3-pointers last season. He improved to 39.1 percent with the Wizards after they acquired him a trade midseason to become more of a contender in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

“Shooting is an imperative importance right now,” Pritchard said after the news conference. “My guess is we’re going to add one more wing that we’re in conversations with right now. We like that player a lot, but it’s not done yet.”

Bogdanovic agreed to sign with the Pacers less than 10 minutes after Pritchard left the news conference.

Bogdanovic, 27, became an unrestricted free agent Friday after the Wizards renounced him from their roster. Washington didn’t have enough salary cap space left in free agency to re-sign Bogdanovic. The Wizards instead are planning to match the $106 million max offer sheet by the Nets to re-sign Otto Porter Jr., who also plays the small forward position.

With the Pacers, Bogdanovic is expected to compete with Glenn Robinson III, who will enter his fourth season, in training camp for the starting small forward job.

“We need to add shooting to our roster,” coach Nate McMillan said Friday. “The small forward position is open. We have Glenn there, but we need to fill that spot. There’s still some options and whatever starting lineup we come up with, I think this group is going to support each other.”

The addition of Bogdanovic could end the Pacers’ pursuit of re-signing C.J. Miles, another veteran small forward who is known for his perimeter shooting.

Miles showed his versatility last season in playing multiple positions for the Pacers, but he declined his player option, which was projected to be $4.7 million for next season. In 76 games last year, Miles averaged 10.7 points and 3 rebounds per game. He also shot a career-high 41.3 percent on 3-pointers and 90.3 percent on free throws.

McMillan said it wouldn’t be weird at all for Miles to agree to return to the Pacers for a higher salary.

“I know what C.J. brings,” McMillan said. “He brings shooting to the floor and I’ve been with him for three years, so he’s a pro and I’ve enjoyed working with him.”

Pacers waive Christmas

Before Friday’s news conference, the Pacers waived center Rakeem Christmas. As a third-year player, Christmas appeared in 30 games and averaged 2.1 points and 1.9 rebounds during his two seasons with the Pacers.

By waiving Christmas, his scheduled contract for next season, worth $1.4 million, is no longer on the Pacers' salary cap. Christmas, 25, thanked the Pacers on his Instagram account Thursday.

“Being a part of the Indiana Pacers organization for the past two years has helped me grow in so many ways,” Christmas wrote on his post. “The city, people and culture have always been great to me. Thank you for the opportunity. I will continue to work on my craft in this game that I love. God has been great. Next Chapter…”

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter:@ByNateTaylor.

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