The Indiana Pacers’ front office deserves more credit

There were questions surrounding the Indiana Pacers this season. The Pacers’ front office answered with constructing a team that has exceeded expectations.

The Indiana Pacers have been on a roll and the surge of success has derived from one thing, the front office.

The Pacers entered the 2019-2020 season with a completely new look. A roster constructed to initiate a fast-paced and dynamic offense was a point of emphasis entering the offseason following a sweep in the first round of the playoffs by the Boston Celtics.

Pacers President of Basketball Operations, Kevin Pritchard and General Manager, Chad Buchanan wasted no time in identifying needs and what could take the team to the next level.

It is safe to say that the diligence by Pritchard and Buchanan has paid off.

There were many questions concerning whether the Pacers could remain productive after losing several key contributors.

Without Bojan Bogdanović, Darren Collison, Tyreke Evans, Cory Joseph, Wesley Matthews, and Thaddeus Young, it was clear that the Pacers would have to lean on new acquisitions to remain afloat in an Eastern Conference with no clear frontrunner.

Not only have the new additions to the Pacers roster kept the team competitive in the conference, but the group has also emerged as one of the top teams in the NBA.

Pritchard and Buchanan have relied on a formula that has translated to the team’s recent success.

That formula has been to not acquire the best player, but the best fit for the Indiana Pacers.

That approach has led to Malcolm Brogdon, Justin Holiday, Jeremy Lamb, T.J. McConnell, and T.J. Warren being the straw that stirs the drink for the Pacers.

All five players were acquired prior to the start the season.

What’s impressive about the group is not only the production but the manner in which Pritchard and Buchanan brought it to Indiana.

The new additions and how they were acquired are what separate the Pacers’ front office from the rest of the pack.

The Pacers’ front office doesn’t receive the credit it deserves:

Malcolm Brogdon became a Pacer in arguably one of the best deals made this offseason across the NBA.

Brogdon was brought to Indiana in a sign-and-trade deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. Recognizing his value and potential, Pritchard and Buchanan made it a priority to bring Brogdon to Indiana by offering a 4-year contract worth $85 million that the Bucks failed to match.

The Pacers continued negotiating the deal which also sent one future first-round and two future second-round draft picks to the Bucks.

The sign-and-trade deal has already proved its worth. Brogdon this season has averaged 18.9 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds. The point guard is also shooting 93% from the free-throw line.

In 24 starts, Brogdon has also scored 20 or more points in 12 games, fantastic production at a tremendous value.

Pritchard and Buchanan’s decision to bring Brogdon to Indiana has already paid off tenfold.

The duo also struck gold in bringing Warren to the Pacers. The Suns were looking to clear cap space and Warren’s $35 million four-year extension signed in 2017 was the perfect opportunity to do so.

The Pacers front office agreed to bring in Warren for only cash considerations and a second-round pick.

Warren, who averaged 18 points a game while shooting 42.8% from beyond the arc last season with the Suns was the perfect piece to add to the Pacers’ puzzle.

The small forward has been a workhorse for the Pacers this season and has flourished on both sides of the floor. Warren is currently averaging 17.6 points per game while shooting 50% from the field.

The production of Brogdon and Warren coupled with how they were acquired has called for Pritchard and Buchanan to receive more recognition.

The front office also has made waves with how well Holiday, McConnell and Lamb have fit in with the group.

Their presence has allowed the Pacers to perform at a high-level for all four quarters which was evident in the wins over the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.

In an arduous NBA season, it is important to have depth at every position. The work done by the Pacers’ front office has allowed Nate McMillan and his staff to operate with comfort and confidence.

The due diligence of the front office has placed the Pacers in a position to succeed. However, the best has yet to come as Victor Oladipo awaits his return to a blossoming roster.

Pacers fans are lucky to have one of the best front offices in the NBA and what the team has done so far this season solidifies that notion.