The Indiana Pacers have opted not to sign veteran guard Monte Morris, GM Chad Buchanan confirmed, citing a calf injury as a major factor. The team is continuing its search for backcourt depth ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Morris, 30, had previously agreed to a one-year deal with the Pacers, aiming to provide veteran insurance after Tyrese Haliburton’s season-ending Achilles injury. He spent last season with the Phoenix Suns, averaging 5.2 points and 1.6 assists in 12.7 minutes per game.
The point guard brings experience from five NBA franchises, including Denver, Washington, Detroit, Minnesota, and Phoenix. Known for his steady decision-making, Morris has maintained one of the league’s top assist-to-turnover ratios across 420 career games, averaging 9.5 points and 3.6 assists per contest.
Indiana’s backcourt has been impacted by Haliburton’s absence, placing more responsibility on Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell. Morris would have joined them along with rookies Kam Jones and Taelon Peter to help stabilize the rotation.
The Pacers also face additional challenges after Myles Turner’s departure to Milwaukee and will rely heavily on Bennedict Mathurin and Pascal Siakam for scoring. Morris’s veteran presence was initially expected to help the young roster navigate the transition.
In the postseason, Morris has appeared in 57 games, averaging 8.3 points and 3.1 assists, with his most productive stretch coming in 2021 with the Denver Nuggets, where he posted 13.7 points and 5.5 assists per game.
With Morris now sidelined, the Pacers continue to explore alternative options to bolster guard depth. The decision leaves uncertainty in Indiana’s backcourt as the team prepares for a season without its former star and veteran leader.
