It's obvious now that the Indiana Pacers are in a full rebuilding mode after the departure of Paul George. They moved George to Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis, and earlier this month the Pacers waived Monta Ellis. It seems now that they will rely mostly on their young players for the next few seasons, as they look to go back to the top of the Eastern Conference. Victor Oladipo and Myles Turner are expected to carry the load for the Pacers in the future, and on Monday it was reported that Indiana has acquired another good, young player.
Cory Joseph headed to Indiana
After Jeff Teague left Indiana this summer and signed a multi-year deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, it seems like the Pacers found their point guard after all. Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported on Monday, that the Pacers and the Toronto Raptors have agreed on a sign-and-trade deal that will send Cory Joseph to Indiana and C.J. Miles to the Raptors.
ESPN Story on Toronto's sign-and-trade to secure C.J. Miles. https://t.co/YoY616wJBE
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 9. srpnja 2017.
Joseph was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs as the 29th pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He spent the first four seasons playing for the Spurs before signing with the Raptors in 2015. Joseph played the best basketball of his career last season with Toronto, as he averaged a career-high 9.3 points and 3.3 assists per game.
He was the backup point guard for the Raptors last season, but it seems that he might be starting for the Pacers next season. Joseph is a 6-foot-3 point guard from Canada, with great length and defensive ability. He also improved his shooting as he shot nearly 36% from the three-point line during the 2016/2017 season. He will help the Pacers in many ways, especially with his playoff experience and leadership.
Indiana also acquired Darren Collison earlier this summer, and the two of them will likely share minutes at the point guard position next season.
The Raptors receive C.J. Miles
In the sign-and-trade deal with the Pacers, the Raptors will receive 6-foot-6 small forward C.J. Miles. It is expected that Miles will sign a three-year deal worth around $25 million, as he leaves Indiana after three years.
He joined the Pacers in 2014, and last season with Indiana he averaged 10.7 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while shooting 41% from behind the arc. Miles is a 12-year NBA veteran with great size and shooting ability. He will share minutes with Norman Powell at the small forward spot next season, as Toronto looks to make noise again in the Eastern Conference.
Sources: Toronto-Indiana deal is agreed in principle. Miles will sign a 3-year, approximately $25M deal with Raptors, with player option.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) 9. srpnja 2017.
