8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

3 potential outcomes of suspended season and how they impact the Pacers

By Josh Wilson

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer takes the floor with several young fans during a timeout in the second half of a game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 01: Indiana Pacers mascot Boomer takes the floor with several young fans during a timeout in the second half of a game against the New York Knicks at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on February 1, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Knicks defeated the Pacers 92-85. 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. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Indiana Pacers (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Season picks up and resumes “as normal”

This is the first possibility that comes to mind. All games that need to still be played are played, and are simply shifted back by a few months. This would mean that the playoffs and NBA Finals are subsequently moved as well, and it would have dramatic effects on free agency and the NBA Draft, too. The league would need to re-write their entire yearly calendar, and it would have runoff impacts on the 2020-21 season.

Frankly, this outcome feels unlikely. The league and teams plan their season out months in advance, and logistically securing venues on such short notice for so many dates at once would be a nightmare in its own right. Think of the other sports that might need to do this same thing and concerts/special events that have been booked down the line (or also need to be rescheduled) at these arenas.

These complications and the impacts they have in shifting the draft and free agency so far back (we’re talking moving everything at least two months back, likely more) are seismic enough that this seems avoidable.

The only reasoning for why this might be something the league looks into — it could sustain the expected revenue the league was hoping to bring in. Finances are of chief concern at the moment for the league and individual teams, and playing out the remainder of those games (with fans, if safe) would allow for the teams to retain their expected ticketing and broadcasting revenue.

How would this impact the Pacers?

This actually might be a really optimal decision for the Pacers. Being a team that has been somewhat rattled with injuries and holding a playoff position currently, they could surge up the leaderboard in the remaining 20 games or so and get themselves optimal playoff seeding and home-court advantage.

On the other hand, though, waiting on the latter end of the Eastern Conference playoff bracket currently are the Sixers and Nets, teams that could pose challenges that supersede their actual ranking in the conference currently for various reasons.

No matter who they face off with, though, playing out the expected 20 games or so gives Victor Oladipo a chance to get further acclimated with his role and the team after having some time to rest his injuries further. Not having debuted until late January, this could be a crucial step for him and Indiana.

Ranking each of Oladipo's games this season. light. Related Story

Nate McMillan could also use the final 20 games to tinker around with his rotation and experiment with different lineups before finalizing a 9-to-10 man rotation.

If this is the route the league takes, the Pacers could be one of the greatest beneficiaries. The downside? Every other team in the league gets the same rest that the Pacers would in this scenario, which may level the playing field after all.

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