Nate Taylor

nate.taylor@indystar.com

Sorry, Indiana Pacers fans. KevINDYrant? Not happening. And fellow top free agents such as LeBron James and Hassan Whiteside also aren't options for the Pacers. Other stars such as Dwyane Wade, Bradley Beal, Mike Conley, Dwight Howard and DeMar DeRozan are all expected to either receive a max contract, which eliminates the Pacers, or re-sign with their respective teams.

Even with those players removed from consideration, team President Larry Bird can still elevate the Pacers’ roster with a number of possible signings from a pool of reliable veterans.

With the pending acquisitions of Jeff Teague and Thaddeus Young, the Pacers' starting lineup for next season seems set. But as has often been the case lately with Indiana, the bench needs improving. That is Bird's objective in free agency. C.J. Miles, Rodney Stuckey and Lavoy Allen will be Indiana’s best reserves when free agency starts Friday. Inexperienced players such as Joe Young, Glenn Robinson III, Rakeem Christmas and Shayne Whittington are hoping to become rotational players.

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Yet the Pacers could see value in adding another guard, and they need to bolster depth in the frontcourt — especially if Ian Mahinmi, Solomon Hill and Jordan Hill all leave, as expected. Depending on who leaves and who stays, the Pacers could have as much as $20 million to play with. If Bird signs two contributors, or more, he will continue to make the Pacers contenders in the Eastern Conference, where the hierarchy below the Cleveland Cavaliers is unclear.

Free agents can sign their new contracts July 7, the day after the NBA’s moratorium period is lifted. Here are five possible free agents the Pacers could pursue:

Ryan Anderson, 6-10, power forward

Anderson fits exactly what the Pacers need: a prototypical stretch power forward who can shoot 3-pointers. Bird and general manager Kevin Pritchard have made it clear the Pacers covet a player with such skills.

He is a proven scorer and is still in the prime of his career at 28. In his eight-year career, Anderson has shot 37.7 percent from behind the arc, which is exceptional for a frontcourt player. With the Pacers, Anderson could provide scoring off the bench, and he's an adequate defender as well as an improved rebounder.

Last season, Anderson averaged 17.0 points and 6.0 rebounds in 66 games for the New Orleans Pelicans. He should fit within the Pacers salary cap and their pitch could center on the fact that Indiana is in a better position than New Orleans to compete next season.

Nicolas Batum, 6-8, small forward

Acquiring Batum will be difficult for the Pacers. That understanding, though, should not discourage Bird. Batum flourished last season with the Charlotte Hornets, averaging 14.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists. He is also dependable. In the last four seasons, Batum has played 70 or more games.

His versatility will attract plenty of teams, and the Hornets have put re-signing him as one of their top priorities. With the Pacers, Batum could be the team’s best defender off the bench who can be a potential stretch power forward, too.

The biggest issue is that other teams can offer Batum more money. His value will be determined next week, especially if a team offers him a max contract, which would be more than the Pacers could give him. Another problem for the Pacers could be if Batum doesn't want to come off the bench if that is how Indiana projects to play him.

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Jeremy Lin, 6-3, point guard

Linsanity was four years ago and Lin has created a sustainable career since. His future appears to be as an above-average backup point guard. He proved that assessment last season with the Hornets, averaging 11.7 points and 3.0 assists being Kemba Walker’s backup.

The Pacers need a backup point guard and Lin would be a strong contributor behind Teague if they do not re-sign Ty Lawson. One of Lin’s best qualities is his ability to attack the rim and score in bunches. He was strong in the playoffs last season with 12.4 points and 2.6 assists per game.

Lin should fit within the Pacers salary cap, and he is determined to sign a long-term deal after playing for five different teams in the past six seasons. The negatives for the Pacers is that Lin could be offered plenty of money and a starting job elsewhere.

Festus Ezeli, 6-11, center

The smart decision for Ezeli is to re-sign with Golden State, who have made the NBA Finals the past two seasons. That option, however, might not be available for him Although he is a restricted free agent, the Warriors might let him leave if they acquire Durant or future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki.

The Pacers need a backup center and Ezeli would be a good addition. He is a strong defender off the bench and is athletic enough to run up and down the court in the Pacers’ up tempo offense. Last season, Ezeli averaged 7.0 points and 5.6 rebounds, both of which were career highs.

Marvin Williams, 6-9, power forward

Sometimes free agent signings are influenced by how many headaches the player provided for his new team a season ago. For that category, Williams is at the top of the Pacers’ list. Arguably, Williams' best performance of the season came Feb. 26 at Bankers Life Fieldhouse as the former North Carolina Tar Heel went for 26 points and 13 rebounds in a one-point Charlotte win.

An 11-year veteran, Williams is a dependable scorer who has improved his perimeter shooting. He shot a career-high 40.2 percent on 3-pointers last season. But his biggest value to teams might be his ability to effectively defend multiple positions. All those skills should make Williams an attractive free agent for the Pacers.

Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.

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