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Indiana Pacers: Five Realistic 2016 Free Agent Targets

By Kyle Nishida

May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Larry Bird speak to the press during a press conference at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 8, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson (33) moves the ball down the court as he is defended by Indiana Pacers center Ian Mahinmi (28) during the second quarter of the game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /

Power Forward Ryan Anderson

Last season, Ryan Anderson was a popular target at the trade deadline across the entire NBA. He will be a popular name in free agency, aside from the typical star players.

At age 28, Anderson is a proven scorer in the league and is currently hitting his athletic prime. He averaged 17 points and six rebounds for a terrible New Orleans Pelicans team last season. It is probably say he probably wants a new change of scenery.

The Pacers need a stretch power forward that can shoot three point shots at an effective rate. In his eight-year career, Anderson has shot 37.7 percent from behind the arc.

The only downside to Anderson is he is not a great defensive player. He is not very mobile and quick so if he is up against an athletic forward, he could be exposed.

Also, Anderson needs to make a personal decision. He is good enough to be a starter, but only on bad teams. If he plays for playoff contending teams (like the Pacers), he will most likely have to come off the bench.

Anderson needs to decide if he wants be an NBA starter on a mediocre team or be a top bench player on a winning team. If he wants to be the latter, the Pacers will definitely have a chance at getting him.

With the Indiana Pacers, Anderson would be a great scoring option off the bench. He would definitely be one of the first players off the bench for them.

It is not clear how much Anderson would cost. However, the Indiana Pacers should have more than enough cap space to afford him.

Next: PF Marvin Williams

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