SAN ANTONIO — Ahead of the NBA Trade Deadline, the San Antonio Spurs traded forward Doug McDermott to the Indiana Pacers for Marcus Morris (expected to be bought out), cash considerations, and a second-round draft pick.
He played three seasons with the Spurs (2021-24) after a trade with the Pacers in 2021 and his now-former San Antonio coach, Gregg Popovich, believes he will fit in seamlessly with the Pacers.
"This is a great situation for him going to Indiana," Popovich said following the team's game against the Magic. "I think he'll get a lot of good playing time with that group is doing really well."
The Pacers lead the NBA in field goal percentage at 50.7% and he'll provide Indiana with another offensive threat on the perimeter.
"We all know he's a shooter. That's what he does. He's a pro and this is a great situation for him," said Popovich.
With the Spurs, he averaged 6.0 points per game, along with 43% three-point shooting and 1.2 assists this season with San Antonio through 46 games played.
That kind of production will bolster the Pacer's offense, which leads the NBA in points per game at 124.0, in field goals made at 46.8 per game, and in three-point percentage at 38%, good for the fourth best in the league.
"There's a role there for him," Popovich said. "He loves playing, and he enjoys people, so he was great."
Ultimately, the move was not surprising. McDermott (32 years old) goes to a contending team and for the Spurs, it is another draft asset acquisition move to help in the team's current rebuild. He also fills the void left by sharp-shooter Buddy Hield, who was traded from Indiana to Philadelphia.
Statistics aside, McDermott will be missed in San Antonio.
He was a claiming, veteran voice on and off the court for the young Spurs and willing to donate his time to pitch in throughout the San Antonio community.
"He was a great teammate. He's really respected by teammates," Popovich said. " He's a grown-up. He's very mature. We wish them the best."
It won't be long until Spurs fans see McDermott again; Indiana visits San Antonio for a matchup on March 3.
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