New Pacers guard Toney Douglas: ‘I’m here for a reason’

New Pacers combo guard Toney Douglas will have to impress in training camp to make the team as the 16th player added to what will eventually be a 15-man roster.

But the 6-2, 190-pound former first-round pick isn’t concerned with that.

“We really haven’t gotten into detail about me being here, but I know I’m here for a reason,” said Douglas, who spoke with the media for the first time Tuesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Drafted in the first round (29th overall) in the 2009 draft out of Florida State, Douglas was traded to the Knicks and played three seasons in New York before stints with the Rockets, Kings, Warriors, Heat and Pelicans. The 29-year-old also spent four months in China. He averaged 4.3 points in 12 games for New Orleans last season before being waived.

Douglas’ best stretch in the NBA was during his time with the Knicks; he averaged 10.6 points per game in the 2010-11 season and 10.8 points that postseason.

Douglas also said former Pacers president Donnie Walsh, currently a consultant for the team, was a factor in his decision to sign with the Pacers. Walsh was in the Knicks’ front office when Douglas played in New York.

“I love Donnie, he’s a great guy,” Douglas said. “Him being here, it’s really a great situation. I trust him. He’s not going to lie to you. He’s going to keep it real, tell you what you need to do.”

Able to play multiple positions, Douglas said he would do whatever he was asked to by the Pacers’ coaching staff. He was also high on the defensive focus of the team.

“I feel like I can bring veteran leadership on the defensive end and the offensive end,” he said. “I feel like we can take our defense to another level.”

Douglas plans to work out in Indianapolis for the next two weeks, work out in Orlando after that and be back for training camp with the Pacers.