Age: 26
Years Pro: 4
Status: Unrestricted free agent
Key Stats: Averaged 5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 17 minutes per game.
Lavoy Allen is in much the same position as a year ago, but has slightly firmer ground to stand on.
Then, he had been a trade deadline acquisition, a throw-in to the deal that sent Danny Granger to Philadelphia for Evan Turner. He played 14 games for the Pacers for an average of eight minutes per game, hit half of his 34 shots, and showed a knack for rebounding.
Now he's coming off a season in which he averaged 5 points and 5.1 rebounds over 17 minutes in the 63 games he played. Whether that's enough to earn another contract with the Pacers likely will depend on what offers he can attract from other teams. Larry Bird and Frank Vogel appear to be interested in bringing him back, but at what price?
PHOTO GALLERY: Lavoy Allen's 2014-15 Season »
Allen started the season well, but faded at the end. He got playing time from the outset because of David West's ankle injury, and averaged 7.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 22.1 minutes over the first 30 games. His performance dropped off over the next 10 games, however, and then his playing time all but disappeared for the next 30 games. He didn't play in 18 of them, and played significant minutes in only a few.
He got another chance in the final 12 games, but didn't take advantage: 2.2 points on 32 percent shooting, and 2.9 rebounds in 10.4 minutes.
Allen had just 10 double-figure scoring games for the season, the final one coming at Golden State on Jan. 7, when he had 12 points and nine rebounds. But, he still provided an argument for getting another contract from the Pacers. He was their best offensive rebounder, averaging 4.1 on a per-36 minute average. (Roy Hibbert averaged 2.9 and Ian Mahinmi 3.3.) He is a decent mid-range shooter, and has a soft touch around the basket – at least he did early in the season.
Allen's bottom line is that he showed more of what he can do, but lost a bit of the upside argument he had going for him last season. He seems to have established himself as a player who belongs in the league, but falls into the dreaded tweener category between center and power forward. Still, he has the kind of skill set that can help any team, and he has the sort of quiet, unassuming demeanor that allows him to accept a backup role. At times, he might be too quiet and unassuming, however.
He'll be somewhere next season, but it's difficult to predict where. Another team might offer more than the Pacers can afford, or he could be brought back on another near-minimum deal. He's proven he can contribute.
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