INDIANAPOLIS, IN -- According to Scott Agness of Vigilant Sports, the Indiana Pacers are set to meet with undrafted point guard Briante Weber. Indiana is not the only organization interested in the former VCU guard, as there are reportedly 14 other teams that have expressed interest. The Pacers are the first team that Weber will visit.
It is unlikely that Briante Weber will work out for the Pacers, but the team's medical staff will likely take a look at his current state of health. Weber's senior season (2014-15) was his final season at the collegiate level, but it ended shortly after he suffered the following tears in his right knee: ACL, MCL, and Meniscus.
Despite his injuries, Weber was ranked as the 73rd best 2014-2015 NBA Draft prospect by ESPN's Chad Ford. It is hard to imagine how Weber's future would have been different if he would have been able to avoid that injury. He was on course to break the NCAA's Division 1 all-time steals record before his injuries. During his last season, Weber averaged the following base stats in 20 games: 8.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 0.2 blocks, 3.9 steals, and just 1.7 turnovers in 26.5 minutes.
It is hard to picture Weber making the Pacers' final roster. Indiana has 15 guaranteed contracts for the 2015-2016 season, not to mention the partially guaranteed $600,000 owed to Toney Douglas as the team's 16th player. The only way that it would work is if Weber was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, but that would require the purchase of the D-League affiliate to go through.
Indiana already has a lot of backcourt players on their roster. George Hill, Rodney Stuckey, Monta Ellis, Joseph Young, Glenn Robinson III, and now even Toney Douglas are all components of the team's backcourt. There simply wouldn't be any room for Weber in terms of cap space and roster spots. Again, the only way that this situation would work out is if the Pacers completed their purchase for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (D-League team) and then assign Weber to that team. It would allow for Weber to get a healthy season against easier competition, then the Pacers could also find a way to fit him on the roster for the 2016-2017 season.
Briante Weber is known for his tenacious on-ball defense. He plays with a nasty chip on his shoulder, which really pairs nicely with his physicality. If Weber could become more efficient on the offensive side of the ball, his future in the NBA is bright. Whether that future is with the Pacers or not, Weber just needs to get lucky and land a good opportunity in the NBA to showcase his ability. That would allow for him to further his player development. If Weber ended up on a team with one or multiple playmakers, he could be a good "3-and-D" player in the NBA. Weber just can't be relied upon for play making ability just yet in the league, a smaller and more comfortable role as a "3-and-D" player on a good team would be ideal.