What does Indy do this summer?

[Norm2953]

I would stay the course for Hali is still young and will be 26 when he returns from injury in the 2026/7 season

[youngcrev]

Hell of a trade by them to get their pick back. I'd be really suspicious if I was New Orleans.

No reason to be suspicious, but yes, very good for Indiana to have it.

Hell of a trade by them to get their pick back. I'd be really suspicious if I was New Orleans.

Nah man. Suspicious of..what, exactly?

I'm not saying they should be, but the NBA is full of conspiracy theories. I'm sure it'll at least be a topic of conversation that they traded that pick and then this happens like a day later, with some people questioning over what Haliburton's prognosis really was when they made the deal.

Feels pretty natural to angrily jump to "did these guys screw us?!?" even if it doesn't stand up to rational thought.

Probably raises some eyebrows at insurance companies when you place a claim a day after starting your coverage.

[Scoot McGroot]

Hell of a trade by them to get their pick back. I'd be really suspicious if I was New Orleans.

No reason to be suspicious, but yes, very good for Indiana to have it.

Hell of a trade by them to get their pick back. I'd be really suspicious if I was New Orleans.

Nah man. Suspicious of..what, exactly?

I'm not saying they should be, but the NBA is full of conspiracy theories. I'm sure it'll at least be a topic of conversation that they traded that pick and then this happens like a day later, with some people questioning over what Haliburton's prognosis really was when they made the deal.

Feels pretty natural to angrily jump to "did these guys screw us?!?" even if it doesn't stand up to rational thought.

Probably raises some eyebrows at insurance companies when you place a claim a day after starting your coverage.

Kind of depends. It’s crazy to think that Indy blew out Haliburton’s Achilles….on purpose?

Or, you could look at Indy’s books and see they would probably prefer to save some cap next year. And prefer to reset Stepien going forward. And hadn’t even brought anyone in to workout for the draft process and the draft is in a couple days.

Conspiracies are everywhere when you don’t care to look for reason.

[jayjaysee]

Sad for Indy fans being that close.

I think they run it back and trust in your depth. They never tank and wouldn’t expect them to after such a great season. Keep Myles and dump Toppin.

Though Tatum got hurt and everyone felt Boston should go for a one year tank..

[R-DAWG]

Probably sell obi to dodge the tax
Resign turner
Be competitive but likely will still have a mid pick with hali being out all next year. Develop the kids more

I think this is really the biggest question. With Haliburton healthy, you would have sucked it up and paid the tax. Without him healthy, you might be looking for a way to duck the tax, although Obi was awesome for them in the playoffs. But is Jarace Walker ready to step in and get those minutes.

Indiana is about $19.95MM below the tax without re-signing Turner, who will likely command a starting salary of $30MM per year, and Indiana would have to fill 2 additional roster spots - so they need to clear about $15MM.

Regardless of what they do with Toppin - young guys are going to get the chance to step up. Nembhard will likely move to an on-ball role. Mathurian will get a chance to step into the starting SG role. Sheppard and Walker will have an opportunity to play more minutes

Nembhard/McConnell
Mathurian/Sheppard
Nesmith/Walker
Siakiam/Toppin
Turner/Bradley

It's still a 10 deep team, 9 deep if Toppin is moved to clear salary, with young guys and room for internal improvement. Throw Halibuton back into the mix and this team still has a bright future.

[toooskies]

No reason to be suspicious, but yes, very good for Indiana to have it.

Nah man. Suspicious of..what, exactly?

I'm not saying they should be, but the NBA is full of conspiracy theories. I'm sure it'll at least be a topic of conversation that they traded that pick and then this happens like a day later, with some people questioning over what Haliburton's prognosis really was when they made the deal.

Feels pretty natural to angrily jump to "did these guys screw us?!?" even if it doesn't stand up to rational thought.

Probably raises some eyebrows at insurance companies when you place a claim a day after starting your coverage.

Kind of depends. It’s crazy to think that Indy blew out Haliburton’s Achilles….on purpose?

Or, you could look at Indy’s books and see they would probably prefer to save some cap next year. And prefer to reset Stepien going forward. And hadn’t even brought anyone in to workout for the draft process and the draft is in a couple days.

Conspiracies are everywhere when you don’t care to look for reason.

It's more like buying flood insurance on a coastal property five days before a hurricane is projected to form but you don't yet know its path. Yes, it's a good investment to have that insurance to mitigate risk (i.e. it's good not to owe unprotected 1sts). You still hope the bad thing (flooding) doesn't happen. But you're at a greater chance of something bad happening soon than normal.

Whatever the injury risk was, it was low enough to justify taking a chance but high enough to mitigate the worst-case scenario.

[ChettheJet]

If TH is out for the year I spend 2025-26 setting up what my rotation and roster will look like in 2026-27

Still try to win games, make the playoffs and get one game farther but be realistic. Draft this year and next, see which contracts expire this season and next, see who steps up next year and who plays their way out of town. Go to camp in 2026 with a mature rotation signed for a couple of years and look to be Finals contenders for 3-4 years

[Wizop]

Nembhard/McConnell
Mathurian/Sheppard
Nesmith/Walker
Siakiam/Toppin
Turner/Bradley

I'd pencil in iJax rather than Bradley and Bryant could be in there too. I'm hoping a development center falls to 54,

but I think we have to ask Siakam if he'd prefer to be traded if we're suddenly a year away from being a year away. I'd honor his wish either way.

[oldncreaky]

To me? This likely only affects Obi. You’d have a year to develop Walker/Furphy in some extra minutes and avoid the tax another year. You still desperately need a center.

Makes sense

One good thing is that Obi increased his value in this playoff run. He was inconsistent, and mostly sucked in game 7, but he had some outstanding moments and proved he could be a net positive deep in the playoffs.

I've long thought Obi would be a good fit in DET at PF, but now worry he might command a trade price higher than it makes sense for DET to pay. Oh well; I was in the minority of Pistons fans anyway.

p.s. congrats to the Pacers for an outstanding playoff run

[oldncreaky]

Nembhard/McConnell
Mathurian/Sheppard
Nesmith/Walker
Siakiam/Toppin
Turner/Bradley

I'd pencil in iJax rather than Bradley and Bryant could be in there too. I'm hoping a development center falls to 54,

but I think we have to ask Siakam if he'd prefer to be traded if we're suddenly a year away from being a year away. I'd honor his wish either way.

You might get a haul for Siakam -- certainly more than the 3 meh FRPs you gave up for him.

But I think the Siakam you'll see in 2 years is very similar to what you see now, and that's a perfect partner for Hali if they are both healthy.

[youngcrev]

No reason to be suspicious, but yes, very good for Indiana to have it.

Nah man. Suspicious of..what, exactly?

I'm not saying they should be, but the NBA is full of conspiracy theories. I'm sure it'll at least be a topic of conversation that they traded that pick and then this happens like a day later, with some people questioning over what Haliburton's prognosis really was when they made the deal.

Feels pretty natural to angrily jump to "did these guys screw us?!?" even if it doesn't stand up to rational thought.

Probably raises some eyebrows at insurance companies when you place a claim a day after starting your coverage.

Kind of depends. It’s crazy to think that Indy blew out Haliburton’s Achilles….on purpose?

Or, you could look at Indy’s books and see they would probably prefer to save some cap next year. And prefer to reset Stepien going forward. And hadn’t even brought anyone in to workout for the draft process and the draft is in a couple days.

Conspiracies are everywhere when you don’t care to look for reason.

No, that's silly.

The conspiracy would be that they knew they were putting him at a greater risk by playing/that the original injury was worse than stated.

But yes, there were obvious reasons why they made the trade that had nothing to do with that.

[meridian]

For the most part I am keeping the group together if I am the Pacers even without Haliburton next year. What I think is the most undervalued aspect of this group is their chemistry on and off the court. I would try to keep them together as much as possible.

The change I would make is at center. I would try and do a sign-and-trade with Myles. I've always looked at him as someone who you just have to appreciate for what he does well and not get worried about what he doesn't do. You can't have him as your third highest paid player though. I wanted to see more offense from Nembhard and Nesmith but I cut them some slack because of the defensive responsibilities they had. The Pacers needed more from Myles, IMO. I can't think about his performance in the finals and then think he should be the third highest paid player on the team and pretty much guarantee you can't keep some of the young guys.

To address the center position I would :

- Free Agency - I would bring back Isaiah and sign someone like Luke Kornet.
- Trade - See if you can find an Aaron NeSmith type, someone still on their rookie contract who hasn't played much and perhaps struggled and might just need an opportunity.

Long-term I would even look at someone outside the box who can be a small-ball 5. Can you find a Boris Diaw type but a better shooter? Diaw was unique but that would be my preference at center long-term when Haliburton is back. Go all in on small-ball and playing fast, just have a backup center with traditional size.

I think the other major decision is Mathurin. Do you extend him? Does he want to be extended? Without Haliburton he will have an opportunity to play more and be one of their leading scorers. He could win the most improved player award next season. How will he improve and where does he fit when Tyrese is back are questions though.

[Scoot McGroot]

I'm not saying they should be, but the NBA is full of conspiracy theories. I'm sure it'll at least be a topic of conversation that they traded that pick and then this happens like a day later, with some people questioning over what Haliburton's prognosis really was when they made the deal.

Feels pretty natural to angrily jump to "did these guys screw us?!?" even if it doesn't stand up to rational thought.

Probably raises some eyebrows at insurance companies when you place a claim a day after starting your coverage.

Kind of depends. It’s crazy to think that Indy blew out Haliburton’s Achilles….on purpose?

Or, you could look at Indy’s books and see they would probably prefer to save some cap next year. And prefer to reset Stepien going forward. And hadn’t even brought anyone in to workout for the draft process and the draft is in a couple days.

Conspiracies are everywhere when you don’t care to look for reason.

It's more like buying flood insurance on a coastal property five days before a hurricane is projected to form but you don't yet know its path. Yes, it's a good investment to have that insurance to mitigate risk (i.e. it's good not to owe unprotected 1sts). You still hope the bad thing (flooding) doesn't happen. But you're at a greater chance of something bad happening soon than normal.

Whatever the injury risk was, it was low enough to justify taking a chance but high enough to mitigate the worst-case scenario.

It sounds like you don’t really think it’s a conspiracy but you’re just saying a bunch of things?

Or, do you really think it’s possible that Haliburton had a torn Achilles and Indy kept it quiet as a “calf injury, and yet continued to play Haliburton, so they could re acquire their own protected 2026 1st, and then continue to play him with that injury?

Or do you just not understand the idea of calf injuries risking other injuries, and that players may risk playing through injuries in the Finals, especially game 7?

Indy had been reported to be trying to acquire an unprotected 1st in 2026 all season long. Reacquiring their own protected 1st was probably the cheapest way of doing so. And they were only days away from a draft they hadn’t worked out anyone for yet. We can read conspiracies into anything but when you look into the entire situation, you can see what happened.

Don’t see a coincidence and assume conspiracy. Coincidences happen all the time. It’s life.

[Wizop]

Long-term I would even look at someone outside the box who can be a small-ball 5.

I think we already have that in Toppin. Unless the plan is to play a different style with Ty out, I don't think any starting center fits better than Myles.

Mathurin has a huge opportunity as he should be the starting SG.

I think Pacers without Ty can be better than Boston without Tatum. Orlando should move up and the Cavs will still be good. Don't know about Bucks and Knicks.

[Scoot McGroot]

I'm not saying they should be, but the NBA is full of conspiracy theories. I'm sure it'll at least be a topic of conversation that they traded that pick and then this happens like a day later, with some people questioning over what Haliburton's prognosis really was when they made the deal.

Feels pretty natural to angrily jump to "did these guys screw us?!?" even if it doesn't stand up to rational thought.

Probably raises some eyebrows at insurance companies when you place a claim a day after starting your coverage.

Kind of depends. It’s crazy to think that Indy blew out Haliburton’s Achilles….on purpose?

Or, you could look at Indy’s books and see they would probably prefer to save some cap next year. And prefer to reset Stepien going forward. And hadn’t even brought anyone in to workout for the draft process and the draft is in a couple days.

Conspiracies are everywhere when you don’t care to look for reason.

No, that's silly.

The conspiracy would be that they knew they were putting him at a greater risk by playing/that the original injury was worse than stated.

But yes, there were obvious reasons why they made the trade that had nothing to do with that.

It was an announced injury. The entire league knew the risk of playing through a calf injury. Including New Orleans. And there is always a risk of playing through any injury.

Kind of hard to argue conspiracy when all the facts are published and entirely known to everyone.

[BlazersBroncos]

Trade Toppin to BRK for 27. It sucks but they need to open up a bit of money for Turner.
Sign Kornet w/ the BAE or part of MLE.
Draft Hugo Gonzalez at 27 - fits their high motor style. Hope he can play some SF.

G - Andrew Nembhard / TJ McConnell
G - Benedict Mathurian / Ben Sheppard
F - Aaron Nesmith / Hugo Gonzalez
F - Pascal Siakiam / Jarace Walker
C - Myles Turner / Luke Kornet

[Saints14]

They should run it back, but focus more on developing Nembhard, Mathurin, Walker and Furphy than maybe they would have otherwise, Nembhard should get a crack at being the starting PG, but they need to get another guard to take some pressure off of him because their only other real lead ballhandler is McConnell.

To me? This likely only affects Obi. You’d have a year to develop Walker/Furphy in some extra minutes and avoid the tax another year. You still desperately need a center.

Had the same thought on Obi, agree that they should use his spot to give Walker and Furphy more opportunities next year. He's on a pretty good looking contract with how he performed in the playoffs, could he be traded for a 3rd guard to balance the roster? Grayson Allen was the only one I saw that might make some sense, I think Phoenix would be all over that but might have to add a few of the 2nds they got from Houston to do it

[Wizop]

They should run it back, but focus more on developing Nembhard, Mathurin, Walker and Furphy than maybe they would have otherwise, Nembhard should get a crack at being the starting PG, but they need to get another guard to take some pressure off of him because their only other real lead ballhandler is McConnell.

To me? This likely only affects Obi. You’d have a year to develop Walker/Furphy in some extra minutes and avoid the tax another year. You still desperately need a center.

Had the same thought on Obi, agree that they should use his spot to give Walker and Furphy more opportunities next year. He's on a pretty good looking contract with how he performed in the playoffs, could he be traded for a 3rd guard to balance the roster? Grayson Allen was the only one I saw that might make some sense, I think Phoenix would be all over that but might have to add a few of the 2nds they got from Houston to do it

I'm not sure about Furphy but Walker should get his minutes at 3, not 4, so I keep Obi at backup 4. Maturin moves from backup 3 to starting 2 which opens the backup 3 minutes for Walker.

[toooskies]

Kind of depends. It’s crazy to think that Indy blew out Haliburton’s Achilles….on purpose?

Or, you could look at Indy’s books and see they would probably prefer to save some cap next year. And prefer to reset Stepien going forward. And hadn’t even brought anyone in to workout for the draft process and the draft is in a couple days.

Conspiracies are everywhere when you don’t care to look for reason.

It's more like buying flood insurance on a coastal property five days before a hurricane is projected to form but you don't yet know its path. Yes, it's a good investment to have that insurance to mitigate risk (i.e. it's good not to owe unprotected 1sts). You still hope the bad thing (flooding) doesn't happen. But you're at a greater chance of something bad happening soon than normal.

Whatever the injury risk was, it was low enough to justify taking a chance but high enough to mitigate the worst-case scenario.

It sounds like you don’t really think it’s a conspiracy but you’re just saying a bunch of things?

Or, do you really think it’s possible that Haliburton had a torn Achilles and Indy kept it quiet as a “calf injury, and yet continued to play Haliburton, so they could re acquire their own protected 2026 1st, and then continue to play him with that injury?

Or do you just not understand the idea of calf injuries risking other injuries, and that players may risk playing through injuries in the Finals, especially game 7?

Indy had been reported to be trying to acquire an unprotected 1st in 2026 all season long. Reacquiring their own protected 1st was probably the cheapest way of doing so. And they were only days away from a draft they hadn’t worked out anyone for yet. We can read conspiracies into anything but when you look into the entire situation, you can see what happened.

Don’t see a coincidence and assume conspiracy. Coincidences happen all the time. It’s life.

I don't think it's coincidence that Indiana sought to complete the transaction as soon as possible rather than wait till draft day. The initial injury and tear were coincidental to some degree, although as you state, there is enough correlation historically for guys playing through calf injuries.

I was surprised when NOP traded an unprotected pick for the Pacers' pick this year-- even if you projected Indiana to be really good next year, injuries happen (which the Pelicans are quite aware of). If Haliburton WAS hurt enough to have increased risk of an Achilles tear, it makes even less sense from the NOP side to make a trade. It doesn't even make much sense from NOP's side to make the trade before draft day because you at least want to know who's on the board when Indiana's on the clock. The only urgency here was Indiana's.

[youngcrev]

Kind of depends. It’s crazy to think that Indy blew out Haliburton’s Achilles….on purpose?

Or, you could look at Indy’s books and see they would probably prefer to save some cap next year. And prefer to reset Stepien going forward. And hadn’t even brought anyone in to workout for the draft process and the draft is in a couple days.

Conspiracies are everywhere when you don’t care to look for reason.

No, that's silly.

The conspiracy would be that they knew they were putting him at a greater risk by playing/that the original injury was worse than stated.

But yes, there were obvious reasons why they made the trade that had nothing to do with that.

It was an announced injury. The entire league knew the risk of playing through a calf injury. Including New Orleans. And there is always a risk of playing through any injury.

Kind of hard to argue conspiracy when all the facts are published and entirely known to everyone.

Either you're getting weirdly defensive about this or I'm just not conveying what I'm trying to say very well.

When I say conspiracy what I'm actually talking is conspiracy theories that people could probably come up with, not that there actually was literally a conspiracy by the Pacers.

Kind of hard to argue the NBA conspired to get Luka to LA by giving Dallas the 1st pick, but that didn't stop the conversations.