NBA Free Agency: Indiana Pacers Interested in Veteran SG Michael Redd

Pacers beat writer Mike Wells reported that the team met with former Bucks shooting guard Michael Redd on Thursday in Indianapolis.

Redd appears to be Bird's fall back after failing to land both OJ Mayo and Jamal Crawford. However, it's extremely doubtful that after multiple knee surgeries Redd would bring the same dynamic scoring capability as either of them.

At his best, Redd was an all-star level talent, making an appearance in the 2003-2004 contest. He has posted a career average of 20 PPG, with career high 26.7 PPG in 2006-07.

That is not the Michael Redd that the Pacers would be signing.

His numbers suffered a steep drop off upon returning from his first surgery, as he averaged only 11.9 PPG during the 2009-10 campaign—his lowest total since his second year in the league. His return would be short lived, as he only lasted 18 games into the season before sustaining another injury and requiring a second surgery.

He would return for 10 games at the end of last season, averaging only 4.4 points in 13.4 minutes. 

It's a safe bet that Redd will never return to his all-star form. However, the Pacers are well aware of that. The Pacers only hope that Redd still has enough left in the tank to provide a nice scoring punch off the bench and maybe, just maybe, provide the Pacers with a player capable of creating his own shot in clutch situations.

If not, so what?

If the Pacers were to sign Redd, it would be to a one-year deal at or around the minimum salary. The worst-case scenario is Redd and his low-risk contract don't pan out, and the Pacers are no worse off than they were before the signing.