While there are now not many people left on the free agent market and the workforce, except for upheaval via the expected trades of Damian Lillard and James Harden, is almost complete, it is time to take stock summer for all 30 NBA franchises.
And after Detroit, Houston, San Antonio, Charlotte, Portland, then Orlando and Washington, we move on to Indiana, which has had a nice offseason.
SEASON 2022/23
35 wins – 47 losses (23rd)
19th offense: 114.6 points scored on 100 possessions
26th defense: 117.7 points conceded on 100 possessions
ARRIVALS/DEPARTURES
Arrivals: Jarace Walker, Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
Departures: Chris Duarte, Oshae Brissett
WORKFORCE 2023/24
Leaders : Tyrese Haliburton, TJ McConnell, Andrew Nembhard
Full-backs/wingers : Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown Jr., Bennedict Mathurin, Jordan Nwora, Aaron Nesmith, Isaiah Jackson
Interiors : Myles Turner, Daniel Theis, Obi Toppin, Jarace Walker, Jalen Smith
THE LIKELY MAJOR FIVE
Tyrese Haliburton – Buddy Hield – Aaron Nesmith – Bruce Brown Jr. – Myles Turner
THE OBJECTIVE
Qualify again for the playoffs. The Pacers have not tasted a first round since 2020 and for a franchise used to this level (only six seasons without playoffs between 1990 and 2020), that’s a lot. Last season, Rick Carlisle’s men won 35 games, ten more than in the 2021/2022 campaign, but he missed several victories to hope to go into “play-in”. The prolonged absence of Tyrese Haliburton in January, injured, did a lot of damage while the Pacers were well launched.
To continue to move in the right direction, the leaders have worked well this summer with the arrival of Bruce Brown Jr., valuable in the conquest of the Nuggets title, and a good draw in the Draft with Jarace Walker. Without forgetting the transfer of Obi Toppin, which can be interesting in the rapid game of the Pacers. In addition to extending Haliburton, who is the face of the franchise for future years.
No revolution therefore, but the small touches necessary for an attractive team offensively, but which forgot to defend last season. This is where the main room for improvement is and this will obviously be the key to integrating the best teams in the Eastern Conference.
QUESTIONS
– Can Bruce Brown Jr. change the defensive face of the team?
With a check for $ 45 million over two years, the Pacers did not need to have much more arguments to seduce the 2023 champion with Denver. It’s expensive to pay, but it’s calculated, and it’s above all an excellent recruit. The former Nets is a valuable player, tough, collective and especially defensive. If he arrives with his ring on his finger, it is his state of mind and his work in defense that must infuse in the locker room. With Jarace Walker, who is also strong and versatile on this side of the court, Brown Jr. can change the face of the Pacers and bring them a new balance.
– Tyrese Haliburton ever higher?
All-Star and author of an excellent season with 20.7 points and 10.4 average assists, the playmaker reached a milestone last season. This is also confirmed with his presence in the American team for the World Cup this summer, then also with his contract extension, to 260 million dollars over five years, signed this summer. The signs prove it, he is on the rise and will logically have to confirm his new status as a rising star and leader of the Pacers. Like a Zach LaVine or a LaMelo Ball, Tyrese Haliburton has certainly had a string of good performances since the start of his career but has not yet played a single playoff game. An anomaly that cannot last another season…
