NBA Rumors: Monta Ellis, Pacers Reportedly Discussing Potential Contract Buyout
The Indiana Pacers already traded Paul George this offseason and could be moving on from another veteran.
On Monday, Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star reported the Pacers and Monta Ellis are in talks over a potential buyout that "could be done later this month."
Ellis is in the middle of a four-year contract worth just less than $44 million, although he possesses a player option for the 2018-19 campaign, per Spotrac.
With George no longer on the team, it makes sense for the Pacers to rebuild and focus on the future by accumulating talent to surround 21-year-old big man Myles Turner. Ellis will turn 32 years old in October and will likely be well past his prime by the time Indiana is ready to realistically compete again.
It follows for Indiana to at least entertain moving on, and Ellis could still contribute for a contender in the immediate future.
The shooting guard also struggled to find his place with the Pacers this past season and scored just 8.5 points per game, his lowest mark since he was a rookie. He didn't resemble the version of himself who tallied double-digit scoring figures every season from 2006-07 through 2015-16 and went over 20 points per game four times during that span with the Golden State Warriors.
Ellis may be able to find that touch again with a buyout and change of scenery.
