NBA free agency is underway and one of the first moves on July 1 came from the busy Indiana Pacers, who have been extremely busy. On Friday, the Pacers signed free agent center Al Jefferson to a three-year, $30 million contract. The news was first reported by The Vertical's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Jefferson, who has been a starter for most of his career, is likely poised to come off the bench for the Pacers in 2016. Myles Turner, the Pacers' first-round pick in 2015, is expected to start as he fits the more fast-paced style the Pacers are expected to use next season. With Jordan Hill and Ian Mahinmi free agents, Indiana needed to address the backup center position.
The 31-year-old Jefferson averaged 12 points, 6.4 rebounds and 0.9 blocks per game last season in around 23 minutes per game. If he is healthy, he could slide into a similar minute range and provide Indiana with some great toughness and rebounding off the bench.