NBA Trade Rumors: Monte Morris Joins Pacers on One-Year Deal, Updates Team Depth Chart
The Indiana Pacers have signed veteran guard Monte Morris to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, the deal is an Exhibit 9 contract, which includes protections against injury. Spotrac’s Keith Smith explained that if a player under an Exhibit 9 deal is injured, the team pays $15,000, which counts as dead money against the salary cap and luxury tax if the player is waived.
Morris, 30, brings eight NBA seasons of experience with stints in Denver, Washington, Detroit, Minnesota, and Phoenix. Last season, he appeared in 45 games off the bench for the Suns, averaging 5.2 points on 42.6% shooting (36.0% from three), along with 1.6 assists and 1.5 rebounds per contest.
With Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the 2025-26 season due to a torn Achilles, the Pacers will rely on depth to maintain their competitiveness. Morris’ addition strengthens the backcourt rotation alongside Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell.
Projected Pacers depth chart with Morris:
PG: Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Monte Morris, RayJ Dennis
SG: Bennedict Mathurin, Ben Sheppard, Kam Jones, Quenton Jackson, Taelon Peter
SF: Aaron Nesmith, Johnny Furphy, Jalen Slawson
PF: Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker
C: Jay Huff/Isaiah Jackson (top backup), James Wiseman, Tony Bradley
Training camp opens Sept. 29, preseason begins Oct. 7, and the regular season tips off Oct. 23 with a rematch of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at home.
Leave a Comment