The Indiana Pacers are adding depth to their backcourt, agreeing to a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with free agent guard Monte Morris, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. Pacers beat writer Tony East later noted it is an Exhibit 9 contract.

The Exhibit 9 deal provides financial protection for players who suffer injuries during training camp, guaranteeing $15,000 in compensation if waived. That amount counts against the salary cap and luxury tax as dead money.

Morris, a 6-foot-2 guard, has logged eight NBA seasons with the Denver Nuggets, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Phoenix Suns. The 30-year-old appeared in 45 games for Phoenix last season, averaging 5.2 points on 42.6 percent shooting (36.0 percent from three), 1.6 assists, and 1.5 rebounds off the bench.

Read more: Kevin Love’s NBA Future Faces New Update Amid Buyout Rumors

The Pacers, who won the Eastern Conference before falling in seven games to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, will be without star guard Tyrese Haliburton in 2025-26 after he tore his right Achilles tendon in Game 7. Despite the setback, Indiana’s roster remains deep, and Morris offers another experienced option to help stabilize the rotation.

Indiana’s projected depth chart features Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, and Morris as the potential point guard options, with Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard leading the shooting guard rotation. Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin return at power forward, while Aaron Nesmith is set to start on the wing, and Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson battle for the center spot.

Read more: Wizards’ Bilal Coulibaly Faces New Update on Injury Timetable

The signing also comes after Indiana was recently linked to trade talks for young guard Kobe Bufkin. As reported by RG.org, the Pacers showed interest in acquiring Bufkin earlier in the offseason before Atlanta eventually traded him to Brooklyn following Summer League play. The Pacers’ pursuit of Morris underscores their desire to solidify depth in the backcourt heading into camp.

Training camp opens Sept. 29 for Indiana, with preseason beginning Oct. 7. The Pacers’ regular-season opener will be a Finals rematch against the Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Oct. 23.

For all the latest on the Indiana Pacers and general NBA news and rumors, head over to Newsweek Sports.