Pacers Sign Forward Arinze Onuaku

Oct 7, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; New Orleans Pelicans power forward

(21) looks to pass the ball around Dallas Mavericks center

(45) during the game at the American Airlines Center. The Pelicans defeated the Mavericks 94-92. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Indiana Pacers agreed to a deal with forward Arinze Onuaku last night, and it’s a deal that not many are going to understand. Onuaku is a 6’9″ big man out of Syracuse, and has played with the Cleveland Cavaliers and New Orleans Pelicans in a few NBA games. He played with the Pacers’ Summer League team, and showed the team enough that Larry Bird and company would like to take a longer look at him.

Particulars of the deal have not been announced, but it is likely just a training camp deal to see if he can beat anyone out to make the team. He isn’t the most polished offensive player, but he is strong and can finish through contact. His rebounding and defense are what made the Pacers bring him in for Summer League action, and his shot-blocking ability would come in handy as backup big man if he makes the team.

It isn’t likely that he will be able to make the final roster, with Luis Scola, David West, Ian Mahinmi, Roy Hibbert, and Shayne Whittington ahead of him right now. He does have a great work ethic and the athletic ability to be a solid defender, but his lack of offense is going to come into question. The Pacers still believe that he is worth a training camp invite, and at the very least he’ll force the big men that he defends against to play harder.

Indiana has already signed Chris Singleton, C.J. Fair, and Adonis Thomas to training camp deals, and will likely pick one or two of those guys to be on their regular season roster. They only have 13 players with guaranteed contracts heading into the season, which gives them some flexibility.

Needless to say, this is a player who is intriguing to look at but simply doesn’t have the necessary skill to make the roster. The Pacers are making it clear that they are searching high and low for talent, and this is definitely the right season to do that. It will be interesting to see if Onuaku is able to come up with any type of production in preseason action.