3. Indiana Pacers
This will be a pivotal off-season for the Indiana Pacers in multiple regards, not just the NBA Draft and free agency. The injury recovery for the Pacers star guard Victor Oladipo will be one of the biggest summer storylines. Oladipo ruptured his quad in a loss back in February to the Toronto Raptors.
The Pacers are one of the known suitors in this round of free agency for a big time wing. This team needs better play at the three and more consistency in the rotation to take that next step in the Eastern Conference. An effective Oladipo return to the starting five would also help the Pacers stay prominent in the East.
Landing Jimmy Butler for the Pacers would both allow him to stay in the Central Division and get to the NBA Finals with a team that has the cap room to make his contract size work. Butler also fits the two-way style forward that the Pacers are accustomed to using under former head coach Frank Vogel and current head coach Nate McMillan.
Butler spent a good portion of his career in this division of the NBA between the Sixers and Chicago Bulls. He’s well used to facing the Pacers and his style of play and efficiency on both ends would be a welcome addition to a playoff-caliber roster already.