Report: Pacers to buy out Chase Budinger, sign Ty Lawson

The Indiana Pacers will buy out small forward Chase Budinger in order to make room to sign Ty Lawson, reports Sean Deveney of Sporting News.

Budinger will be bought out Saturday to make room for Lawson, Shams Charania of The Vertical reports. Lawson reportedly agreed to a deal with Indiana on Thursday.

The 27-year-old was acquired in a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves last summer, but saw his role diminish after All-Star Paul George shifted back to his natural small forward position.

Since Budinger will be waived after March 1, he won't be eligible for the postseason should a playoff-bound team sign him.

The Arizona product has struggled to adapt in his first year in Indiana, posting career-lows in points per game (4.5), 3-point percentage (.299) and, effective field goal percentage (.471).

Budinger is likely to sign with a West team upon being waived, which is not surprising given his familiarity with the conference, Deveney reports.