Post-Mortem: 2022-23 Indiana Pacers

[ElectricMayhem]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have sucked the remaining life force out of Indiana. The Pacers aren't done playing, but they're done playing for a championship.

Here is the data from previous years' Post-Mortems:
2020-21:

Spoiler:

Post-Mortem Results I: GM Confidence Meter
Post-Mortem Results II: Coaching Confidence Meter
Post-Mortem Results III: Performance Compared to Expectations
Post-Mortem Results IV: Rising/Treadmill/Waning

2021-22:
2021-22 Post Mortem Final Summary

Team Name: Indiana Pacers
Record at Time of Death: 34-45 (.430)
Head of Front Office: Kevin Pritchard (POBO) (2012-)
Coach: Rick Carlisle (2021-)

Offensive Rating: 22nd
Defensive Rating: 26th
Rebound %: 28th
Turnover %: 22nd

Front Office: Change or keep?
Coach: Change or keep?
Relative to expectations, how did they fare this year?
Rising, falling, or treadmill?
If you were in charge, what would you do this offseason?

Notes:
Players under contract next year:
Myles Turner ($21m)
Buddy Hield ($19m)
Daniel Theis ($9m)
T.J. McConnell ($9m)
Benedict Mathurin ($7m)
Tyrese Haliburton ($6m)
Aaron Nesmith ($6m)
Jalen Smith ($5m)
Chris Duarte ($4m)
Jordan Nwora ($3m)
Isaiah Jackson ($3m)
Andrew Nembhard ($2m)

Team Options:

Player Options:

Free Agents:
George Hill
James Johnson
Oshae Brissett
Kendall Brown
Gabe York

Dead Money:


Previous Post-Mortems:
30. Houston Rockets
29. San Antonio Spurs
28. Detroit Pistons
27. Charlotte Hornets
26. Portland Trail Blazers
25. Indiana Pacers

[Karate Diop]

I think they need to consolidate some of their pieces for higher upside players. There's always the risk of striking out but they need a legitimate running mate for Haliburton.

[dakomish23]

Loved Mathurin coming into the draft. Let’s see if he’s able to take a decent enough leap in year 2 before doing something too crazy.

[Medbrat]

That's Senile rick for you, the most overrated coach in the league.

[jowglenn]

The Pacers outperformed expectations. They were widely expected to be one of the worst teams, but until Halliburton got injured they were fully in the playoff mix. Halliburton established himself as an All-Star near All-NBA. Hield and Turner, their two main veterans, both had career years. Their rookies Mathurin and Nembhard have both impressed greatly. Most people expected the Pacers to trade off Turner and Hield and go full tank but they did not, they tried.

The mixed bag comes from their other young players. Nesmith and Nwora have both played well enough, while Duarte and Jalen Smith have disappointed.

Pacers have nowhere to go but up!

[giberish]

I was disappointed they didn't even try to fix their obvious PF hole and try for the playoffs. They had two spare late 1sts and even after the Turner extension they still had some straight cap space. Vanderbuilt or perhaps DFS could have really helped them given how non-existent their forward rotation was. I wonder if Halibuiton hadn't gotten injured leading to the midseason slump if they would have tried for the playoffs.

This has nothing to do with me having a bet at 25-1 odds on Indy making the playoffs this year.

[giberish]

Going forward, IMO they really need to add two main rotation players - a PF and a PF/SF (someone who can give them a big look at SF and also cover some PF minutes without being wildly undersized). Depending on where they draft they could add one with their lotto pick and then use other assets (late 1sts, cap space, spare SG's) to get the other.

[FeatheryTouch]

The Pacers rebuild is off to a solid start, if they can add another foundational piece in this year's draft(a dynamic forward would fit the bill) they should be in pretty good shape moving forward.

The Pacers have always been a competent and sensible franchise, if maybe a little treadmilly. But I don't worry about them doing colossally stupid things like some of the other lottery teams.

Indiana would be a sneaky great landing spot for Wemby if they somehow get lucky in the lotto.

[-Luke-]

With this one I didn't have to think it over much: keep, keep, as expected or slightly better, rising. I think of the teams we had so far the Pacers have to worry the least about the future. They have a pretty clear path with one or two good additions.

[BloodNinja]

They went 1-9 when Haliburton went out and that dashed their pkayoff hopes. Should be in the mix next season.

[Jadoogar]

That's Senile rick for you, the most overrated coach in the league.

??? they were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league and with Haliburton healthy they were competing for a playoff spot. I don't know how you can say the coach has done a bad job.

[ItsDanger]

Getting BTB top 10 picks is the correct move. Decent core already, lots of potential trades. 2 late 1sts also. Indiana is in a good position.

[Pharmcat]

Should’ve done the wb trade in off-season to expand draft pick chest

[ORLMagicGirl15]

If Haliburton didn't get hurt, they would be in the playoff mix. This is an exciting team. I hope the Pacers fans are happy.