Offseason recap: Jeff Teague fits the bill for fast-paced Pacers
With the bulk of NBA free agency in the books, USA TODAY Sports explores how all of the offseason moves will alter each team as we look ahead to the 2016-17 season.
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Projected starting five: Indiana Pacers
(Statistics from 2015-16 season)
- Jeff Teague (with Atlanta) - Points: 15.7, assists: 5.9, rebounds: 2.7, steals: 1.2, field goal percentage: 43.9%
- Monta Ellis - Points: 13.8, rebounds: 3.3, assists: 4.7, steals: 1.9, field goal percentage: 42.7%
- Paul George - Points: 23.1, rebounds: 7.0, assists: 4.1, steals: 1.9, field goal percentage: 41.8%
- Thaddeus Young (with Brooklyn) - Points: 15.1, rebounds: 9.0, assists: 1.9, blocks: 0.5, field goal percentage: 51.4%
- Myles Turner - Points: 10.3, rebounds: 5.5, assists: 0.7, blocks: 1.4, field goal percentage: 49.8%
Added - Teague, Young, Nate McMillan (head coach), Al Jefferson, Aaron Brooks, Jeremy Evans, Georges Niang
Lost - Frank Vogel (head coach), George Hill, Ian Mahinmi, Solomon Hill, Jordan Hill, Ty Lawson
Biggest acquisition - Teague
Teague — a 28-year-old Indianapolis native — was acquired by the Pacers as part of a three-team trade that sent the older, less athletic George Hill to the Utah Jazz. A speedy, aggressive floor general who excels in the open court, Teague fits the bill for the new and improved, up-tempo Pacers.
Biggest departure - Vogel
Despite his 250-181 record and five playoff appearances in six seasons with Indiana, the defensive-minded Vogel fell victim to Pacers president Larry Bird's vision of a more fast-paced offense.
X factor - Turner
After an impressive rookie campaign, Turner — an athletic, 6-foot-11 20-year-old — is in line to not only start over Jefferson at the center spot, but to see closer to the 28.1 minutes he averaged in seven postseason games as opposed to the 22.8 he averaged in the regular season. If Turner continues to take strides forward this season, and all signs indicate that he will, George won't be the only franchise cornerstone in Indy.
Offseason grade - B
Check out our other offseason recaps: Atlanta Hawks • Boston Celtics • Brooklyn Nets • Charlotte Hornets • Chicago Bulls • Cleveland Cavaliers • Dallas Mavericks • Denver Nuggets • Detroit Pistons • Golden State Warriors • Houston Rockets
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