Indiana Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard discusses the future of coach Nate Bjorkgren. Indianapolis Star
Kevin Pritchard is staying put as president of the Indiana Pacers after meetings with owner Herb Simon this week, a league source familiar with the situation tells IndyStar.
That clears the way for the next decision on tap: Nate Bjorkgren.
Though the Pacers are coming off a 34-38 season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015 under the first-time head coach, Pritchard wasn’t ever in jeopardy.
In addressing where the Pacers stood with bringing back Bjorkgren for another season, however, Pritchard turned the focus to himself on a Zoom call with media Monday to raise questions about his status.
“We don’t make decisions in a vacuum. We take our time,” he said. “To be honest with you, I’m being evaluated. I’m being evaluated every day. I take that responsibility very seriously. Herb has to decide whether I’m fit for this job and if I am what are the things I need to improve every year.”
Pritchard isn’t on any hot seat, either. Bjorkgren only has one guaranteed year left on his deal so the Pacers aren’t tied to him for a longer term.
Pritchard traded for Domantas Sabonis, T.J. Warren, Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert — four starters.
The Pacers gave up Paul George, who forced his way out, for two All-Stars in Sabonis and Victor Oladipo, and Pritchard flipped the latter into LeVert. Oladipo’s is out injured again with another right knee surgery.
Then Pritchard amassed second-round draft picks by using cap space to execute his later moves:
>> At the 2019 trade deadline, Houston needed to shed salary to get out of the luxury tax. Pritchard acquired a 2021 second-round pick, taking on three players. Two of them he immediately waived (Nik Stauskas, Wade Baldwin).
>> Before free agency of the same year, Warren was acquired from Phoenix for cash in a three-team deal that included Miami. The Pacers also hauled in second-round picks from the Heat for 2022, 2025 and 2026.
>> When free agency opened the same year, Brogdon was acquired from Milwaukee in a sign-and-trade using a protected 2020 first-round pick, which became R.J. Hampton, and 2021 and 2025 second-round picks.
The Link LonkMay 28, 2021 at 01:45AM
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Source: Kevin Pritchard will remain Pacers president after meeting with owner Herb Simon - IndyStar
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