Pacers add Garrison Mathews, keep Jeremiah Robinson-Earl

The Pacers are shuffling the back end of the roster again, and this time it means adding a shooter and keeping a glue guy.

Indiana is planning to sign free agent wing Garrison Mathews to a 10-day deal via a hardship exception, per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Mathews, now in year six, has carved out a reputation as a floor-spacer.

He’s a career 38 percent shooter from three and has logged 314 games with Washington, Houston and Atlanta. He spent camp with the Knicks but was edged out by Landry Shamet and has been waiting for his next shot.

The opportunity comes as the Pacers sort out the Jeremiah Robinson-Earl situation.

As reported by Shams Charania of ESPN, Robinson-Earl will be signed to a new two-year, minimum-salary deal as his second 10-day contract expires. Indiana will waive Monte Morris to open the roster spot.

The move is mostly procedural. Teams can’t sign the same player to three consecutive 10-day deals, and the Pacers still qualify for a hardship exception with Tyrese Haliburton (Achilles), Obi Toppin (foot), Aaron Nesmith (knee) and Kam Jones (back) all out.

By converting Robinson-Earl to a standard contract, Indiana clears the path for Mathews to take the hardship slot.

Robinson-Earl has appeared in 10 games and made three starts, averaging 5.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in a little more than 20 minutes a night.

He hasn’t shot it well, but the Pacers like his energy and want more time to evaluate him.

Mathews will earn $165,197 during his 10-day stint. The Pacers can keep cycling through additional hardship players as long as the injuries persist.

The defending Eastern Conference champs have been a shadow of themselves thanks to all the injuries. They visit the Cavaliers on Friday night with a record of 2-13.