Indiana Pacers Expressing Interest In Free Agent Carl Landry

The Indiana Pacers are joined by the Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, and Los Angeles Lakers as teams that are interested in free agent power forward Carl Landry, according to Darren Wolfson of KSTP-Minneapolis. Landry became an unrestricted free agent after the Philadelphia 76ers waived him earlier this week. According to NBC Sports, Carl Landry was paid the $6.5 million that he was owed and guaranteed for the 2016-17 season.

The Indiana Pacers already have exceeded their limit for guaranteed contracts, so expect a few minor moves if Carl Landry decides to join the Pacers. After signing Kevin Seraphin, the Pacers have 16 guaranteed contracts on their roster. In the NBA, teams can only have 15 players on their roster, meaning that the Pacers would have to part ways with two guaranteed contracts to acquire Landry and keep him on their active roster.

During the 2015-16 season, Carl Landry averaged 15.8 minutes, 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.3 steals, 0.3 blocks, and 0.6 turnovers (via Basketball-Reference). Landry shot 55.6 percent from the field, 56.1 percent on two-point field goals, 46.2 percent on three-point field goals, and 73.6 percent on free throws (via Basketball-Reference). Carl Landry would be a definite upgrade over what the Indiana Pacers currently have for their backup power forward position.

If the Indiana Pacers were to sign Carl Landry, he would be the final piece of the team’s rotation. The Pacers would have this starting lineup: (PG) Jeff Teague, (SG) Monta Ellis, (SF) Paul George, (PF) Thaddeus Young, and (C) Myles Turner. Indiana would have this bench, most likely: (PG) Aaron Brooks, (SG) Rodney Stuckey, (SF) C.J. Miles, (PF) Carl Landry, and (C) Al Jefferson. The Indiana Pacers would have no issues running a 10-man rotation after signing Carl Landry.

After the signing of Kevin Seraphin, the most likely candidate to be dealt could be Jeremy Evans. Lavoy Allen and Rakeem Christmas could be in danger due to the Kevin Seraphin signing and then even more so if Carl Landry and the Indiana Pacers agree to a deal. The Pacers would not need Lavoy Allen after signing Carl Landry since Landry is a veteran power forward and Allen is not a developing player.

Carl Landry 26 Points Full Highlights (3/20/2016) – via DownToBuck

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foR7uoA2bpQ

Carl Landry would provide the Pacers with knock-down mid-range shooting and efficient offense near the basket. Those two primary attributes are essential for power forwards as a relief option and as a screener in the pick-and-roll. Landry has a very team-friendly skill set that would be an asset for a half-court offense since he can set quality screens, he knows when and where to be without the ball, and he can make plays on his own.

Lavoy Allen simply does not shoot jump shots well, and that is the exact opposite of Carl Landry. It is crucial that the Pacers have a power forward that can space the floor so that Al Jefferson can have space to post up and so that their perimeter players have space to penetrate the lane. Landry was not as good of a defender as Allen last season, but Landry would be in a far better situation to make an impact with the Pacers as opposed to being with the 76ers.

The Indiana Pacers often go with what is called a plug-and-play lineup beyond the opening quarter and throughout games. A plug-and-play lineup is a unit that is a mixture of starting and bench players. Landry is ideal for a plug-and-play lineup for the Pacers since his offensive skill set is incredibly cohesive and his effectiveness would be amplified with the level of play-making execution that the Pacers have in their starting lineup.

Following a potential Carl Landry signing, the Indiana Pacers would have a great blend of veteran role players around their core group of players. It is evident that the Pacers are focused on improving their offense; adding Jeff Teague, Thaddeus Young, Al Jefferson, Aaron Brooks, and then Landry certainly is a fantastic way of doing that. Watch out for the Indiana Pacers making a series of smaller moves if mutual interest picks up with Carl Landry.

[Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images]