The Indiana Pacers announced Sunday they have signed free agent Jeremy Lamb. “What we’re so happy to be getting with Jeremy is a player that over the last five years has shown steady growth and improvement in his game,” said Pacers President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “He’s a guy that can start; but he also has the ability and efficiency to be a high-level player off the bench. His ability to make plays both for himself and for others will be of great value to our team.”
More on Jeremy Lamb Free Agency
Additionally, Kupchak’s comments cast serious doubt that the Hornets can afford to re-sign both Walker and shooting guard Jeremy Lamb. “I would not anticipate that is something we would look to do,” Kupchak said of being a tax-paying team next season. “There are ways to increase (the distance from the luxury-tax threshold). It’s important we address that as soon as possible. Everybody needs to get on and plan.”
Rick Bonnell: Jeremy Lamb said he'd "love" to be back with the Hornets.
What about packaging Jeremy Lamb’s expiring contract and Frank Kaminsky in a trade? I know that Lamb has played well, but that makes his trade value higher than ever. Answer: I understand all questions about whether the Hornets should consider trading Lamb: He will be an unrestricted free agent in July and his performance this season has been good enough that the Hornets might not be able to justify paying what other teams will offer. Right now he’s a bargain as a starting shooting guard making about $7.5 million. First-season Hornets coach James Borrego took the leap of moving Lamb into the starting lineup and it’s been a success. If the Hornets are in playoff contention in early February, and the front office deals Lamb for draft picks or developmental talent, is that fair to the new coach? Sometimes you just have to value the long term over the short term, but that would be quite a hit to this season. That balance could change if the Hornets have a bad January, which is entirely possible with 10 of 14 games on the road.
