8 points, 9 seconds
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A nightmare scenario is looming for the Pacers

By Ryan Eggers

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers grabs the rebound against the Boston Celtics on February 9, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers grabs the rebound against the Boston Celtics on February 9, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Victor Oladipo of the Indiana Pacers
BOSTON, MA – FEBRUARY 9: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers grabs the rebound against the Boston Celtics on February 9, 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images) /

After a trade deadline in which the Pacers made no moves, their future remained intact and they still hold a strong team this year. That’s objectively great. But, they’ve opened up the possibility of a nightmare scenario for this season.

Despite the rumors, the Indiana Pacers entered 3 p.m. on Thursday with the exact same roster they had the day before. They didn’t make any moves to improve the 2017-18 team. They didn’t make any moves to improve their future prospects.

For many reasons, this is a pretty good thing. Many future-minded Pacers fans hoped for Kevin Pritchard to use the team’s cap space to take on a bad contract in order to score a nice young asset. A few Woj tweets confirmed the possibility, but ultimately nothing came of it. The right deal wasn’t on the table.

While that’s unfortunate, fans should be relieved that Pritchard didn’t force it. Taking on a bad deal for a lackluster pick/player would hurt the rebuild more than it would help, and Pritchard proved last summer that he’s more than willing to be patient to make the right moves. Besides, this summer is full of opportunity for the team, as most of the roster is still under contract for next year.

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Pritchard is essentially dealing with two teams right now: the current Pacers, and the Pacers in 3 or 4 years. The current Pacers are competitive and fun, but have no chance at winning a championship.

The team in 3 or 4 years might. Such a balancing act is what Pritchard signed up for. Perfect it, and the Pacers may look like Danny Ainge and the current Celtics. Mess up, and they’ll be looking more like the current Grizzlies.

The lack of a move eliminated any clarity the Pacers could’ve had for this year. If Pritchard dealed out the veterans for picks or young but inexperienced guys, the message would be clear that they have no intention of winning this year. If he had made an aggressive move for a win-now guy, it would’ve been clear that they could at least sort of contend in the playoffs this year.

With neither in play, this team could go three different ways. Two are good. One is a nightmare, and Pritchard’s action (as well as the rest of the league’s trades) made it a much more likely scenario.

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