Free agent guard Monte Morris has agreed to a one-year contract with the Indiana Pacers, according to NBA insider Shams Charania.
Morris, entering his ninth NBA season, provides veteran insurance for a Pacers roster navigating a major transition. The team will begin the 2025–26 campaign without franchise cornerstone Tyrese Haliburton, who is sidelined for the year with a torn Achilles suffered during the 2025 NBA Finals.
The 30-year-old point guard spent last season with the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 5.2 points and 1.6 assists in 12.7 minutes per game. He has played for five franchises across his career, including Denver, Washington, Detroit, Minnesota, and Phoenix.
Known for his steady decision-making, Morris holds a career assist-to-turnover ratio among the league’s best. In 420 career regular season appearances, he has averaged 9.5 points, 3.6 assists, and shot 38.9 percent from three-point range.
The Pacers’ backcourt depth took a hit with Haliburton’s injury, placing additional responsibilities on Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell. Morris now joins that rotation, along with rookies Kam Jones and Taelon Peter.
Indiana will also lean heavily on Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam to carry the offensive load. The absence of longtime center Myles Turner, who signed with Milwaukee this summer, adds another layer of challenge as the defending Eastern Conference champions prepare for the season.
Morris has logged postseason experience as well, playing in 57 playoff games with averages of 8.3 points and 3.1 assists. His most productive run came with the Denver Nuggets in 2021, when he averaged 13.7 points and 5.5 assists per game.
