Where do the Pacers go from here?

Optms · Post #1 » by **Optms** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 4:07 am

Haliburton is likely out the entire 2026 season. He may never be the same player again. Do they make any moves, big or small or stay the course?

Sorry Indy fans. Feel for you guys.

Wingy · Post #2 » by **Wingy** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 4:14 am

That trade for their 2026 pick back could be huge now. Maybe it’s destiny…they have bad injury luck next year on top of Haliburton and end up with Dybantsa.

In reality they stand pat and try to develop Mathurin and Walker as much as possible.

Raps in 4 · Post #3 » by **Raps in 4** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 4:19 am

I hope they win the lottery next year. Pelicans must be kicking themselves right now for trading the Pacers' pick back to them a few days ago.

If Hali isn't the same player once he recovers, they'll need all the help they can get to return to contention, and that's where a high lotto pick can help.

TravisScott55 · Post #4 » by **TravisScott55** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 4:24 am

Raps in 4 wrote:I hope they win the lottery next year. Pelicans must be kicking themselves right now for trading the Pacers' pick back to them a few days ago.

If Hali isn't the same player once he recovers, they'll need all the help they can get to return to contention, and that's where a high lotto pick can help.

That owner will never tank

Mephariel · Post #5 » by **Mephariel** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:06 am

I don't think the Pacers will be bad enough to get Dybantsa.

ball_takes23 · Post #6 » by **ball_takes23** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:10 am

Pacers go 9 deep, they should still make the playoffs in the East

Mr.Raptorsingh · Post #7 » by **Mr.Raptorsingh** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:10 am

They still have Nembhard, probably will need Mathurin to emerge or step up.

Nembhard
Mathurin
Nesmith
Siakam
Turner

Jordan45822 · Post #8 » by **Jordan45822** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:11 am

will still be 6 - 8 seed in the East.

jowglenn · Post #9 » by **jowglenn** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:22 am

The Pacers have a deep team and two decent guys to fill in for Hali in Nembhard and McConnell. They'll give more minutes to Mathurin and Walker, they'll plug along and be a playoff team again.

Dominator83 · Post #10 » by **Dominator83** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:32 am

Stay the course. Even next year, they'll still find a way to be .500
Then 26-27 resume where they left off

GrandTheftRondo · Post #11 » by **GrandTheftRondo** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 5:32 am

East is so bad that they’ll be in the playoffs I think.

Will just be a nothing year where they essentially wait it out. Probably similar to Boston

Wolveswin · Post #12 » by **Wolveswin** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 6:44 am

Hali for Brown

Celtics tank in a gap year as their two stars mend together. Enter 26/27 season with healthy Hali, Tatum, top 3 2026 1st, and cleaner cap ledger.

Pacers stay at top of East.

Turner
Siakam
Brown
Nesmith/Mathurin
Nembhard

Post #13 » by **HomoSapien** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 7:34 am

Next year is a wash. They have a lot of really good players but I am actually not convinced that they are a playoff team without Hali. Best move is to develop Mathurian and Nembhard, while trying to get lucky in the 26 draft. They are fantastic at reclamation projects and maybe there is some unrestricted young guard that would benefit from this kind of opportunity.

Patches Perry · Post #14 » by **Patches Perry** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 7:41 am

They are still good enough without Hali to make the playoffs. Is it possible Hali could be back by the playoffs?

Asian Celtic · Post #15 » by **Asian Celtic** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 8:09 am

Wolveswin wrote:Hali for Brown

Celtics tank in a gap year as their two stars mend together. Enter 26/27 season with healthy Hali, Tatum, top 3 2026 1st, and cleaner cap ledger.

Pacers stay at top of East.

Turner
Siakam
Brown
Nesmith/Mathurin
Nembhard

The whole NBA will hate the Celtics more if they have the top 2 Aura Farmers. lol

Post #16 » by **Mavrelous** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 8:11 am

Asian Celtic wrote:
Wolveswin wrote:Hali for Brown

Celtics tank in a gap year as their two stars mend together. Enter 26/27 season with healthy Hali, Tatum, top 3 2026 1st, and cleaner cap ledger.

Pacers stay at top of East.

Turner
Siakam
Brown
Nesmith/Mathurin
Nembhard

The whole NBA will hate the Celtics more if they have the top 2 Aura Farmers. lol

Haliburton amd Derrick White?

flow · Post #17 » by **flow** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:13 pm

Of the 11 or 12 guys that got real minutes throughout the season/playoffs, 2 are now FA's. Turner & Thomas Bryant.

Whether to bring back Turner for real money is a tough decision. He's kinda cooked. If you let him walk, there are interesting decisions to make with the saved funds.

.

BlazersBroncos · Post #18 » by **BlazersBroncos** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:20 pm

I am not sold it works but I would feature Mathurian a ton. See if he can harness his plethora of natural talents. Guy plays fearless but at times stupid. he has the whole bag IMO to be a 25ppg guy. Reminds me of a poor mans Edwards. See if he sinks or swims with more usage.

IND is great, I love these deep teams that are not overly reliant on stars and ring chasers, but they could REALLY use a 3rd option to emerge. The only guy on that roster that has that talent is Mathurian.

Yoshun · Post #19 » by **Yoshun** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:21 pm

Throw everything at TJ.

In all seriousness, they should try to compete. They still have a good team. They should try to get someone for Siakam.

itrsteve · Post #20 » by **itrsteve** » Mon Jun 23, 2025 3:28 pm

I don't understand this idea that Indiana is done for based on one player being out for a season (being conservative). They have a roster that is not remotely top-heavy and solely dependent on a single player.

Will they be as good in his absense? no. But I'm not blowing up any teams or doing anything reactionary while he's out.