Gabe York still a free agent with Indiana Pacers roster spots drying up

The Indiana Pacers have 15 players currently signed to standard NBA contracts and three players inked to two-way deals. That is the maximum that a team can carry into the regular season, so barring a trade or waiver, they only have room to make smaller offseason moves.

Gabe York, who finished last season on a two-way contract with the team, remains unsigned. He didn't play in enough games last season to be eligible for a qualifying offer, so he is an unrestricted free agent who is free to sign with any team — including the Pacers.

"Stay vigilant, stay focused. Keep my head down, keep working. Same thing I did last year," York said of his free agency focus in April. He has been a midseason addition for Indiana in each of the last two seasons and finished both of them on a two-way contract.

The guard averaged 8.0 points and 1.7 assists per game for the Pacers last season in three appearances. In the G League, he put up over 22 points per game in 44 outings.

York can definitely score, and he became a more well-rounded player and offensive weapon in recent seasons. But he turns 30-years old next week, so he isn't viewed as a developmental project despite being a late bloomer. That hurts his stock around the NBA even if he is clearly talented as a scorer.

He shared during the season that working with Tyrese Haliburton, among other Pacers players, last summer really helped him grow. His confidence improved as he felt like he could hang with the pros.

"It was special for me just to be able to get back after a year," York said after making his debut last season.

York is two-way eligible, so he could still land with a team during the offseason. But the Pacers, the organization he has been a part of for the last two seasons, are out of two-way slots and NBA contract openings.

York could still sign an exhibit 10 contract, like he did last summer before training camp. That would give him a bonus if he plays for Indiana's G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants, this coming season. But that is the best offer the blue and gold can make at this time without making another move.

The guard seems to be out of the Pacers plans right now, especially with the addition of Isaiah Wong during the offseason. Wong, who was drafted 55th overall and is a scoring guard, signed a two-way deal with Indiana earlier this month.

Perhaps York could have another excellent G League season and make it back to the pros with the Pacers, but a deal seems unlikely at this point in time. York is currently playing for Friday Beers in TBT.