With everyone wrapped up in the DeAndre Jordan saga unfolding over Twitter, it seems an even more important piece of news has been missed.
Yes, that’s right. Luis Scola leaving the Indiana Pacers, signing a one-year, $3 million deal with the Toronto Raptors, likely replacing the last Pacers back-up power forward to go there, Tyler Hansbrough.
Looks like Larry Bird may have fibbed again at the end of last season when he said he would like to re-sign Scola.
Sure, he’s an old 35, slow, and his jumper comes and goes, not to mention he can’t guard anyone possessing even average foot speed. But Scola still has post moves, fought hard and worked his tail off even when he had no chance against younger, more athletic guys. With the Pacers looking to play faster, however, perhaps the writing was on the wall for Scola.
The interesting now is how the Pacers fill out their final five roster spots with about $11m left in cap space, given that the salary cap next season has been bumped up from $67m to $70m.
I doubt rookie Myles Turner or Lavoy Allen are ready, and unless they seriously intend on starting Paul George at the four — which I don’t think is a good idea for a lean dude coming off a catastrophic leg injury — they better have a quick look at which PFs are still left on the market.
As long as it’s not Hansbrough I’ll be OK.
PS: I can’t see Pacers backing out of their deal with Lakers for Hibbert, though I would like them to so they can get more assets from Dallas.
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