Post Mortem #29 - Indiana Pacers

[Clav]

Time of death: June 22, 2025
Record at elimination: 50-32 (15-8 in playoffs)
Head coach: Rick Carlisle

https://www.spotrac.com/nba/indiana-pacers/yearly
Contract summary:
Haliburton – 4yr/205M remain
Siakam – 3yr/150M remain
Myles Turner - UFA
Obi Toppin – 3yr/45M remain
Aaron Nesmith – extension eligible or 2yr/22M remain
Andrew Nembhard – 3yr/58M extension begins next season
TJ McConnell – 4yr/42M remain
James Johnson – UFA

Rookie Scale/minimums (varies on 2-4 years remaining):
Bennedict Mathurin – extension eligible, or 9M QO
Jarace Walker – 2yr remain
Isaiah Jackson – RFA
Ben Sheppard – 2yr remain
Johnny Furphy – 3yr remain
Tony Bradley – TO at 3M for one year
Thomas Bryant – UFA

TW
RayJ Davis
Enrique Freeman
Quenton Jackson

Dead-cap – 2.7M off the books this season, NONE retained next season.

Capspace – 2nd Apron, hard-capped currently, will have to decide on Myles Turner’s impending FA.

PICKS for 2025 draft:
IND 2nd

A SMALL SEASON REVIEW:
https://www.espn.com/nba/team/schedule/_/name/ind/seasontype/2

It’s pretty amazing that the Pacers were below .500 at the flip of the calendar year from 2024 to 2025. From there on out, the team went on an incredible run to not only secure the 4th seed, but also make it to the NBA Finals. They overcame improbable odds to get to both Championship Series [EC-Finals and NBA Finals] and had jaw-dropping comebacks to win playoff games. They pushed the Regular Season’s best team to an amazing seven games, including a decisive G6 blowout. It was a joy to watch. Congrats to the Pacers for a wonderful year and EC Champions… but unfortunately for them and their devoted fans, Indiana is the final team eliminated in 2025, and our 29th in the Post-Mortem series.

Powered by an offensive strategy that brings out the best in its roster, the Pacers gave all its players a chance to make plays and contribute. That’s evident with its 7 players over 70 games played this year, and two more at 60+. They had a lot of health and a lot of fight in them all year.
Even if this roster didn’t have the “best” player on the floor every night, the cohesion and talent as a group shined on the court. I give praise all around for how Rick Carlisle, Kevin Pritchard (GM), and the coaching staff got buy-in from players.

A team full of players not drafted in the top-10 outplayed their opponents when it mattered. A lot of time Indiana seemed unstoppable on their offensive runs, and they really didn’t turn the ball over excessively. They even gave their Finals opponents a good run for the money from a significant underdog position, and might have won if not for Haliburton’s G7 injury. Aside: I am really sad about this, these Achilles injuries have marred these playoffs.

Haliburton was sensation in the playoffs, so for me it’s a real shame that he went down in the 2nd Quarter of G7, he had multiple game winning shots and a massive contribution. Man, that shot vs Cleveland that bounced up and in for the win. What the heck! His game winner staring down OKC in the final seconds in Game one. Swish! He started the year slowly but admitted as much, improved, and put that behind him. That’s very admirable. There’s a 2025 Haliburton highlight reel being cooked up somewhere, and it will be awesome. Hope he returns to that form when he's back.

Myles Turner, Pascal Siakam both played huge roles in getting the post rotation on lock, while contributing across the court offensively.

I have to note that this post-rotation included Isaiah Jackson, James Wiseman, and James Johnson to start the season. The first two guys unfortunately also suffered season-ending Achilles injuries. James Johnson is now the Udonis Haslem of the Pacers and not racking up PT. Jackson, though, is a player that could have for sure helped the team in the playoffs with his size and speed. The team had to cobble together a backup big rotation of Thomas Bryant, the Jarace Walker, and later a deep-bench player in Tony Bradley to soak up minutes behind their starters. Big props to Turner and Siakam, without both this team would have been in a world of problems in the post.

Turner is a UFA, and will be looking for a contract from any team. Indiana just made a savvy trade to try to afford him, but he could very well sign elsewhere.

The group of guards around Haliburton also were very effective – Nesmith, Nembhard, McConnell were confident and contributed all year long. It’s amazing how both of them helped steady the Pacers in the RS, and the playoffs. Both are spirited defenders and competent shooters. Like last season, each had stellar moments shooting in clutch time, resulting in big wins for the Pacers. Extension-eligible Nesmith and Nembhard will surely get deals to lock them in for multiple years.

However, despite the magical playoff run, it comes to a close on the doorstep of an NBA Title. The Pacers put on a great show for basketball fans and fought valiantly, they were ever so close. Next year, a huge question mark now with Haliburton's injury. That doesn’t discount this current era of play for me (as they are 1 series win and 1 series loss in the ECF in two years).

In the playoffs, the (4) Pacers defeated the (5) Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 in the first round – most telling was how composed they operated offensive. Very few (including me) picked them to beat (1) Cleveland, but after a thrilling 5 game series, the Pacers marched onto the ECF. The defending Champion (2) Boston Celtics had been pinned as repeat opponents in the ECF, but the scrappy (3) Knicks pushed past after the C’s were handed a devastating injury for Tatum.

It was a super fun ECF series, competitive in every game. These two franchises are a treat to watch as an outsider. NYK realized, like other Pacer’s opponents before them, that Indiana may take some hits, but is hard to knock out. They never gave up when down big, and showcased comebacks vs New York to book their Finals ticket with a 4-2 series victory, and second Eastern Conference Championship since 2000.

The Western Conference Champions, and Pacer’s NBA Finals opponent was the consensus best RS team this year, and one of the most dominant teams in terms of netRtg in NBA history, the (1) OKC Thunder. A thrilling game one victory for the Pacers was incredible. It was a winnable series and I think with Haliburton, the G7 is for sure even closer. Haliburton’s leg was not right for the final 2 games and it showed in his play, he suited up and played great in G7 until that moment. McConnell was sublime, and Siakam was too. I couldn't have asked for a more fun Finals series. The injury and end puts a sour ending to the Pacers season, but doesn’t tarnish what the Pacers accomplished. Hope to see Indiana back in the mix very soon.

A lot of money is tied up already and Turner needs a contract - he also didn't have a great Finals series. There’s one pick to use in the draft for the Pacers to round out the roster, surely a player to help round out the post is a consideration. How do you rate this season and the outlook going forward for the Pacers ?

[XTC]

Yutes wasn't ready for big boy tings fam

Wallahi in da end the okc mandems was bare ready, and did their ting

SGA crodie, good job winning FMVP... in da end he was the sweeterman vs Haliburton

GG fam

[Chuck Everett]

With Haliburton out for the season, you can't make any stupid trades. Gotta keep developing your young players in Mathurin, Walker, Sheppard, Furphy, with your vets.

[Marvin Martian]

They need to address their frontcourt. It got exposed late in the playoffs. They need a real big man, not soft stretch PFs that are useless when they aren't hitting 3s

[Felixians4]

PROPS! Miami Heat cinderella runs recently or Carlisle amazing job from Mavs also with three thrilling guards, reminds me. Good luck with healthy rest of career for Hali. Being so harsh injured so close to won the chip, devastated. Indy without him top5 at East? Pacers one of most prettiest plays for years, not just symapthy, they are dangerous as hell

[yoadknux]

Miracle run, exceeded my every expectations and I thank the Pacers for this great season, but the future doesn't look good. Siakam is exiting his prime, Hali will miss the majority of next year and most likely not return to peak. Mathurin's development was neglected and it showed, he has superstar talent with the mentality of a G-leaguer. Anyway thank you Indiana for all the great moments

[ArksNetsSince99]

It was a pleasure to root for this Pacers team , watch them winning against all odds , I wish them well , and of course a full recovery for Hali

You might lost a championship, but won many fans all over the world , will be rooting for You again in the near future, I have a feeling this team is not done , they will be back in two years , maybe even earlier

Cheers Pacers fans , you’re all a class act

[SunDevil]

[HeatIn5]

The East is going to be a wild place next year with Lillard, Haliburton, and Tatum all likely out at least most of the year.

I wonder if Indiana keeps this team together and runs it back without Hali and hope the momentum continues and you become a middle seed?

Or do you package a combo of Nembhard/McConnell (for monetary reasons), Mathurin, Walker, and picks and see what you can come away with.

[SunDevil]

I grew up in southern Indiana but never cared much about the Pacers. Was more of a Michael Jordan / Bulls fan as a kid in the 90's.

Ended up moving to the LA area 12 years ago and have kind of adopted the Lakers since then.

This whole series made me more anxious than any Lakers game I ever watched though.

The heart of these players turned me into a fan. I'll be cheering for them from now on.

[RaptorPride]

Smart trade getting their pick back next year

[thelead]

Smart trade getting their pick back next year

New Orleans punching the air right now

https://fansided.com/nba/pacers-shocking-mid-finals-trade-now-looks-genius

[jowglenn]

These Pacers should be incredibly proud of the season they just finished. A freak injury was the only thing that could have stopped their Cinderella run of miracle games - and even then they still had a puncher's chance.

No big changes to make. With McConnell and Nembhard they can still plug along and have a winning team and hope to bring back Haliburton before next year's playoffs.

I won't be surprised now to see them dump Toppin for tax relief, but I expect the rest of the rotation stays. One of Bradley or Bryant might stick around, or not, but who knows. I expect them to re-sign Turner and simply run things back.

[Jagic Mohnson]

Don't make the same mistake the Suns did and trade your young core for a aging vet like Kawhi.

[ArksNetsSince99]

These Pacers should be incredibly proud of the season they just finished. A freak injury was the only thing that could have stopped their Cinderella run of miracle games - and even then they still had a puncher's chance.

No big changes to make. With McConnell and Nembhard they can still plug along and have a winning team and hope to bring back Haliburton before next year's playoffs.

I won't be surprised now to see them dump Toppin for tax relief, but I expect the rest of the rotation stays. One of Bradley or Bryant might stick around, or not, but who knows. I expect them to re-sign Turner and simply run things back.

Not sure Hali will be fully healed by the next playoffs , most likely by the start of 2027 season

It’s crazy and sad how one bad quarter (12 minutes) can change the course of a franchise for years to come , I’m talking about game 4 , they win that quarter they take commanding series lead 3-1 , probably win championship , game 7 never happens, Hali never tears his Achilles

[durden_tyler]

They need to address their frontcourt. It got exposed late in the playoffs. They need a real big man, not soft stretch PFs that are useless when they aren't hitting 3s

This is the modern NBA, no need for useless, lumbering, archaic big men.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Clay Davis]

Yutes wasn't ready for big boy tings fam

Wallahi in da end the okc mandems was bare ready, and did their ting

SGA crodie, good job winning FMVP... in da end he was the sweeterman vs Haliburton

GG fam

Ahlie? Pacers rizz pascalion

[XTC]

Yutes wasn't ready for big boy tings fam

Wallahi in da end the okc mandems was bare ready, and did their ting

SGA crodie, good job winning FMVP... in da end he was the sweeterman vs Haliburton

GG fam

Ahlie? Pacers rizz pascalion

Wallahi fam

[FlatearthZorro]

Is Hali's injury torn achilles? Hopefully it's not.. Jeez, man, so many players getting that injury.. Sad for the Pacers, but with their team and coach I think they will be fine in the long run.

[BruttoNostra]

It was a pleasure to root for this Pacers team , watch them winning against all odds , I wish them well , and of course a full recovery for Hali

You might lost a championship, but won many fans all over the world , will be rooting for You again in the near future, I have a feeling this team is not done , they will be back in two years , maybe even earlier

Cheers Pacers fans , you’re all a class act

Just came here to say the same.
People here wrongly assume europeans only cheer for their players in the NBA - while it's partially true, it's mostly us cheering for high IQ teams and players (we saw Luka doing from the age of 16 and learned about Jokic when he arrived on the Nuggets bench).
And, oh boy, amount of fans this Indiana team got recently among my basketball friends who play ball and among online anonymouses is enormous. They have no euro prodigy, but I/we fully jumped in the bandwagon and will stay there for a while - I think many more euros did this with Indi than they did with OKC.

And yes, existing Pacers fans on this board are the classy ones. Kudos!