Pacers exercise 2021-22 options on Aaron Holiday, Goga Bitadze

The Pacers picked up a pair of rookie scale contract options for the 2021-22 season, announcing in a press release that they exercised Aaron Holiday‘s fourth-year option and Goga Bitadze‘s third-year option.

Holiday, 24, saw an increased role in Indiana’s backcourt last season, averaging 9.5 PPG and 3.4 APG to go along with a .414/.394/.851 shooting line in 66 games (24.5 MPG).

After earning $2.35M this season, Holiday will make $3.98M in 2021-22 as a result of his newly exercised option. He’ll be eligible for a rookie scale extension in 2021. If he doesn’t sign a new deal at that point, he’ll be on track for restricted free agency in ’22.

Bitadze, the 18th overall pick in the 2019 draft, appeared in 54 games as a rookie for the Pacers, averaging 3.2 PPG and 2.0 RPG in 8.7 minutes per contest. After dealing with visa issues and knee problems during his first year as a Pacer, the big man is currently battling an ankle sprain and will miss the start of the season.

Bitadze’s 2021-22 option – which is now fully guaranteed – is worth $3.1M. The Pacers will have to decide next year whether to pick up his $5.79M option for ’22-23.