Shortly after the official NBA free agency window opened on Wednesday afternoon, the Indiana Pacers re-signed forward Jalen Smith. Due to a contract stipulation that seldom surfaces in the NBA, the Blue & Gold were limited to a specific amount they could offer Smith. Though other teams had the ability to offer a higher salary, the Pacers' front office worked its magic and convinced the forward to stay put. It turns out the Indiana fans played a role, too.
Flanked by head coach Rick Carlisle and President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard, Smith lifted a custom Pacers pen and inked his freshly printed contract in front of media members. The event also was streamed live on the Pacers' social media channels, website, and app.
"The fans can start cheering for me now," Smith joked. Last season, several Pacers fans on social media facetiously fretted over posting Smith's game highlights, fearing another team would take notice and increase competition for his services in the upcoming season and beyond.
Over the final 22 games of a tumultuous 2021-22 Pacers season, Smith often proved to be a bright spot. The forward became a frequent double-double threat and a viable three-point option. He finished the season averaging 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest for the Blue & Gold. Both averages were significant increases from his totals over 29 games with the Phoenix Suns, where he averaged 6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game.
Before Smith answered questions, Carlisle shared a story that revealed more about Smith's decision to return. Carlisle had a chance to fly to the Baltimore area and have dinner with Smith and his immediate family. The group discussed Smith's reaction to being traded to the Pacers and the love he received from the organization and its fans.
"(His parents) said it was great to see him smile again," Carlisle said of Smith's resurgence in Indiana. "Indiana became a very warm place for him and his family."
"It's just amazing to be welcomed after being traded," Smith said when asked directly about his decision-making process. "Everyone just (gave) me that confidence boost to just go out and play my game and have fun."
Later, the Maryland product added that he "feels like a part of a family" while wearing the Blue & Gold jersey.
Additionally, Smith included that he thought about "his future rather than instant gratification" when he ultimately decided to return. The forward believes his game can grow with this coaching staff and the teammates currently surrounding him.
Just as he did with Bennedict Mathurin when the Pacers drafted him, Carlisle reminded Smith that having Tyrese Haliburton as a teammate would help him take his game to the next level. He noted that Smith's re-signing might have been a "trickle-down effect" originating from the Pacers' acquisition of the talented guard.
"We have three really terrific, facilitating, pass-first point guards," Carlisle commented. "(I think) that went into Jalen's long-term thinking. He's going to be playing with some guys that can get him the ball in the right places, offensively."
Soon after, Smith addressed the areas of his game he wants to improve upon this season, most notably his defense.
"(Defense) was one thing I was trying to improve on these last couple games," he said. "Just guarding on the perimeter, being able to switch one through five. That's what's going to keep me on the court in the NBA."
Throughout the press conference, Smith reiterated how much the fans helped him feel welcome. As the press conference came to a close, he admitted Pacers fans made him laugh a few times with various tweets meant to keep other NBA squads at bay. And in the end, he felt the kind-hearted love and chose to stay in Indianapolis. In true Indiana basketball fashion, it was a team effort that secured a victory.