NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Indiana Pacers

CLEVELAND, OH - APRIL 25: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers helps Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers off of the flor during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game Five of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs between the Indiana Pacers and Cleveland Cavaliers on April 25, 2018 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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1. Aaron Gordon

If Indiana wants to add one impact player with almost all of its space, Aaron Gordon is perhaps the most realistic option available. While incumbent starter Thad Young is an excellent player, Gordon fits the timeline of the team far better and he has some legit two-way upside.

Gordon is a freak athlete that’s coming off the best season of his young career. Last year he improved in a variety of areas after he finally got to play most of his minutes at power forward. The most noticeable change in Gordon’s game was his increased willingness to shoot from deep. He attempted nearly 40 percent of his shots from deep last year and hit on about 34 percent of them; both of those figures are career highs by a wide margin. Gordon still shoots the 3-pointer at a below average rate, but development is a welcome sign.

Beyond improving his shot, Gordon has a wide array of useful skills. He’s effective as a roll man and pop threat in pick and rolls. Although he’s not some kind of expert passer or ball handler, Gordon can throw some funky passes if the defense is in flux.

On the defensive end of the floor, Gordon is still a work in progress. He has the potential to become an adept switch defender though, which is especially important in today’s NBA. With great quickness and a 7-foot wingspan, Gordon has the physical tools necessary to smother all kinds of players. Moreover, a frontcourt combination of Aaron Gordon and Myles Turner would be scary in terms of athleticism and leaping ability.

Next: One free agent signing every team should make

Acquiring Gordon will be difficult because he’s a restricted free agent. If the Magic are set on keeping him, Indiana won’t be able to get him, plain and simple. But Orlando’s new management might not be totally committed to Gordon. He’s not exactly a franchise guy and the Magic have way too many players in the frontcourt. They might be hesitant to match any offer sheets that are dishing out an annual contract value of $20 million or more for example. Adding Gordon through sign and trade is also a possibility. In such a scenario the Magic could avoid paying him long-term and get some pieces in return.

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