Pacers - tank or fight

[Little Lupe]

We all knew at best the pacers would be play fast, scrappy, tough and relatively deep. As a longtime pacer fan I thought their ceiling was a 5 seed.

We are devastated with injuiries and it will be a long year. How many games should Siakam play. I see no reason to try to get 70 games our of him. Jackson has shown some potential but, not sure we can ever go far with these 3 centers. I think Benn will be a monster this year and we might regret letting him become a RFA. I am thinking they may sink as low as 20 wins... What are your thoughts.

[SlimShady83]

They're in the East. I say fight, becuase they're just injured?

That said what are their picks this year if they tank?

[Decipher]

My only thoughts are “damn you for losing to my Nets!!!!!”

I had no idea that the Pacers were travelling so badly but it’s the Nets ffs

[MrGoat]

One of those forwards would look great on Indiana, though even with Hali Peterson is tempting. Maybe the injuries would be enough reason for the league to shift the lottery balls in Indiana's favor especially after being in last year's Finals and having Hali get hurt like that. They'll need the league to be on their side because it might get a little clogged at the bottom. There's Brooklyn, Washington, and now likely Dallas entering the tank mix. Atlanta might end up really cashing in on New Orleans' pick too. Utah will probably be really bad again with the Kessler injury too. But the draft odds don't mean anything because it's rigged so an ethical tank instead of going out of their way to be bottom 3 should be fine.

[JujitsuFlip]

I don't think it really matters, until they're healthy wins will be tough to come by.

[tmorgan]

Once there are enough healthy players, gauging the market for Siakam and an extra 2-guard of your choice (not Nembhard) seems wise.

The Pacers smartly got their pick back, and it’s a helluva tasty draft. You don’t need to tank if you’re just short on talent after some shrewd trades.

[Up-And-Coming]

Give Nembhard, Mathurin (when he comes back) and Jarace Walker the majority of usage to develop them as much as possible.

Shed long-term salary (McConnell, Toppin and/or Nesmith) to open up enough room to re-sign Mathurin while staying under the 2nd Apron next season and maybe they can get a 1st back in return in addition to expirings.

Sit Siakam the 2nd half of the season and tank for a top 5 pick.

Hali/Nembhard
Mathurin
Toppin/Jarace
Siakam
Boozer?

[SlimShady83]

Trade Zubac back to the Lakers please

[HMFFL]

They need to fight for now.
I primarily say that because of the Indy fans.
I saw Hali last month and he was limping pretty bad still.
I would like to see the Pacers shuffle around some talent and continue to build. That way, Hali, and the team will be ready to go, next season.

[MrBigShot]

They were the perfect storm of a team with very, very good but not typical contender level talent peaking at the rim time, clutch heroics, and role players going crazy. The East is going to be very strong next year and I don't view them as legitimate contenders without a major addition to the roster. May as well tank and get some nice draft capital.

[davidv2001]

Give Nembhard, Mathurin (when he comes back) and Jarace Walker the majority of usage to develop them as much as possible.

Shed long-term salary (McConnell, Toppin and/or Nesmith) to open up enough room to re-sign Mathurin while staying under the 2nd Apron next season and maybe they can get a 1st back in return in addition to expirings.

Sit Siakam the 2nd half of the season and tank for a top 5 pick.

Hali/Nembhard
Mathurin
Toppin/Jarace
Siakam
Boozer?

I sincerely doubt they would trade Aaron Nesmith after signing him to an extension this offseason. They will need his 3&D abilities next year with Haliburton back. Right now, he is miscast as a top scoring option with no healthy point guard getting him open shots.

The biggest issue for the Pacers in 2026 is finding a competent center. That’s easily their biggest weakness after letting Myles Turner go to Milwaukee.

[pipfan]

Bulls could offer to take Toppin off your hands, I'd think.

I admire the Pacers organization-I think they're incredibly well run and have had a ton of success. But, with all the injuries, sometimes a down year is what you need, and a top 5 pick could really help their future.

If I were SA, I'd be calling about Siakam-he still has plenty of juice left and could really help Wemby up front

[Up-And-Coming]

Give Nembhard, Mathurin (when he comes back) and Jarace Walker the majority of usage to develop them as much as possible.

Shed long-term salary (McConnell, Toppin and/or Nesmith) to open up enough room to re-sign Mathurin while staying under the 2nd Apron next season and maybe they can get a 1st back in return in addition to expirings.

Sit Siakam the 2nd half of the season and tank for a top 5 pick.

Hali/Nembhard
Mathurin
Toppin/Jarace
Siakam
Boozer?

I sincerely doubt they would trade Aaron Nesmith after signing him to an extension this offseason. They will need his 3&D abilities next year with Haliburton back. Right now, he is miscast as a top scoring option with no healthy point guard getting him open shots.

The biggest issue for the Pacers in 2026 is finding a competent center. That’s easily their biggest weakness after letting Myles Turner go to Milwaukee.

Maybe they won’t but they’re going to be forced to make some sort of moves by the deadline. Whether it’s trading Mathurin now because they won’t have enough space to re-sign him and will lose him for nothing otherwise or trading away long-term salary to open up space to bring him back; McConnell, Toppin, Nesmith, Nembhard, Siakam. I’d assume Nembhard and Siakam are higher on their totem poll and McConnell and Toppin are on neutral to negative value contracts and they may need to attach positive value to them to offload. That leaves Nesmith who they may like but is also probably a positive value contract that they can offload to reduce salary while getting some sort of asset back.

[davidv2001]

Give Nembhard, Mathurin (when he comes back) and Jarace Walker the majority of usage to develop them as much as possible.

Shed long-term salary (McConnell, Toppin and/or Nesmith) to open up enough room to re-sign Mathurin while staying under the 2nd Apron next season and maybe they can get a 1st back in return in addition to expirings.

Sit Siakam the 2nd half of the season and tank for a top 5 pick.

Hali/Nembhard
Mathurin
Toppin/Jarace
Siakam
Boozer?

I sincerely doubt they would trade Aaron Nesmith after signing him to an extension this offseason. They will need his 3&D abilities next year with Haliburton back. Right now, he is miscast as a top scoring option with no healthy point guard getting him open shots.

The biggest issue for the Pacers in 2026 is finding a competent center. That’s easily their biggest weakness after letting Myles Turner go to Milwaukee.

Maybe they won’t but they’re going to be forced to make some sort of moves by the deadline. Whether it’s trading Mathurin now because they won’t have enough space to re-sign him and will lose him for nothing otherwise or trading away long-term salary to open up space to bring him back; McConnell, Toppin, Nesmith, Nembhard, Siakam. I’d assume Nembhard and Siakam are higher on their totem poll and McConnell and Toppin are on neutral to negative value contracts and they may need to attach positive value to them to offload. That leaves Nesmith who they may like but is also probably a positive value contract that they can offload to reduce salary while getting some sort of asset back.

If they decide they want to extend Mathurin and move other players to free up space, I think they would move Toppin and McConnell first, even if it means attaching a future asset with them. They need Nesmith’s skill set for next year in their starting lineup if they plan on contending.

[Black Jack]

I think Halli should sit for more than a year so tank and sell assets for sure

Send Siakam to SF!

[Up-And-Coming]

I sincerely doubt they would trade Aaron Nesmith after signing him to an extension this offseason. They will need his 3&D abilities next year with Haliburton back. Right now, he is miscast as a top scoring option with no healthy point guard getting him open shots.

The biggest issue for the Pacers in 2026 is finding a competent center. That’s easily their biggest weakness after letting Myles Turner go to Milwaukee.

Maybe they won’t but they’re going to be forced to make some sort of moves by the deadline. Whether it’s trading Mathurin now because they won’t have enough space to re-sign him and will lose him for nothing otherwise or trading away long-term salary to open up space to bring him back; McConnell, Toppin, Nesmith, Nembhard, Siakam. I’d assume Nembhard and Siakam are higher on their totem poll and McConnell and Toppin are on neutral to negative value contracts and they may need to attach positive value to them to offload. That leaves Nesmith who they may like but is also probably a positive value contract that they can offload to reduce salary while getting some sort of asset back.

If they decide they want to extend Mathurin and move other players to free up space, I think they would move Toppin and McConnell first, even if it means attaching a future asset with them. They need Nesmith’s skill set for next year in their starting lineup if they plan on contending.

That’s fair. Nesmith is a better defender but I also think they’ll miss Mathurin’s improving shot creation ability and he’s younger. I guess we’ll see what direction they go.

[durden_tyler]

They'd do it the Spurs way-- continue to fight, make sure to lose those close games, and just get Ws (and Ls) to get to the lottery. Good plan.

[davidv2001]

Maybe they won’t but they’re going to be forced to make some sort of moves by the deadline. Whether it’s trading Mathurin now because they won’t have enough space to re-sign him and will lose him for nothing otherwise or trading away long-term salary to open up space to bring him back; McConnell, Toppin, Nesmith, Nembhard, Siakam. I’d assume Nembhard and Siakam are higher on their totem poll and McConnell and Toppin are on neutral to negative value contracts and they may need to attach positive value to them to offload. That leaves Nesmith who they may like but is also probably a positive value contract that they can offload to reduce salary while getting some sort of asset back.

If they decide they want to extend Mathurin and move other players to free up space, I think they would move Toppin and McConnell first, even if it means attaching a future asset with them. They need Nesmith’s skill set for next year in their starting lineup if they plan on contending.

That’s fair. Nesmith is a better defender but I also think they’ll miss Mathurin’s improving shot creation ability and he’s younger. I guess we’ll see what direction they go.

Mathurin has more upside, but a fully healthy Pacers team with Halliburton running the show will have no difficulty scoring. If Mathurin can show solid defensive abilities between now and February, maybe they decide to keep him and trade Nembhard, instead. They need defense more than additional shot creation and making in their starting lineup when Halliburton is healthy.

[Daddy 801]

They'd do it the Spurs way-- continue to fight, make sure to lose those close games, and just get Ws (and Ls) to get to the lottery. Good plan.

100%. They almost won the chip last year. They don’t need to blow it up. Get a mid level first round pick, maybe more if they get lucky, and regroup next year. This team is an injured squad. Why break it up now? If they come back next year and look depleted make some moves then. No reason to rush.

There are teams that need/have to tank. Pacers are not one of them. And if they force their guys to play like they are trash when they come back healthy I don’t think that will roll over well. This is not the Jazz, Brooklyn, Wizards, or all the trash teams in the league right now.

[DusterBuster]

I'm pro gap-year. If my best player and all star talent is out for the year, I want to throw the towel in for one year and get a great pick. It's such a golden opportunity to restock without needing a full rebuild and be right back at it the next season.