We’ve already said this on an infinitesimal basis, but the Indiana Pacers are coming off their most disappointing season in a decade. Failing to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2015, a franchise that prides itself in continuity now finds itself on the verge of kicking the habit.
If this season says something about the Pacers, it’s that this team is not a contender as currently constructed. The talent is there, but players can only show it on the hardwood. Unfortunately, injuries have been a part of Indiana’s DNA for a long time, derailing successful seasons and spawning a lot of what-ifs for the franchise.
Combine those with uncharacteristic off-court turmoil, and that’s a recipe for disaster. While even non-contenders can go up a notch in the East in the past, that is no longer the case. The conference now houses its own triumvirate of NBA royalty, including a bunch of up-and-comers on the fringes of breaking out.
However, to reclaim and optimize success, Indiana shouldn’t be simply swayed by the need to keep up. What’s needed is a blueprint inclined on climbing up and seizing control. Obviously, it’s not easy, especially for a small-market like the Pacers, but they certainly have the assets to install new pieces and smoothen the engine to rise above the East. Here is a five-step plan that should get the job done.
Step 1: The Indiana Pacers should re-sign McDermott and McConnell
The Indiana Pacers have six players entering free agency this season. Two of those, three-point marksman Doug McDermott and playmaker TJ McConnell, have been key components of the Blue and Gold for two seasons already. With that in mind, the front office shouldn’t hesitate to ink them to new deals.
While Indy is over the cap, the team possesses Bird rights for both players, meaning that they can go over the cap to re-sign them. The asterisk is that the organization has been so keen to avoiding the luxury threshold that even a small uptick in their market value may prompt them to pump the brakes on handing out extensions, which shouldn’t happen.
For small markets, being conservative shouldn’t be a reality, but a mere inclination. To compete in the NBA, you need to have a well-rounded supporting cast and those players don’t come cheap. McDermott is instant center of gravity when he’s on the court, and the second-unit’s offense is largely predicated on his actions with Domantas Sabonis. Meanwhile, McConnell is a legitimate sixth man who is pesky on defense, rarely commits mistakes, constantly pushes the pace and elevates the IQ of the team. He’s easily a keeper.
The bench has been one of the team’s bright spots this season. What separates good teams from great ones is the talent beyond their key cogs, and with the Indiana Pacers constantly on the receiving end of maladies and injuries, sustaining the second-unit as a potent weapon should be high on their priority list.
Step 2: The Indiana Pacers should gun for the best prospect left in the draft
As a franchise that never tanks, the Indiana Pacers haven’t had a top draft pick since selecting Rik Smits with the second pick in the 1988 NBA Draft. And that streak continues in 2021, where the Blue and Gold is projected to pick 13th.
No one captures overnight success with such a low draft pick, except for some historical outliers, but the lottery is still packed with valuable pieces, especially in this deep draft. Thus, the Pacers should maximize their options by selecting the next best prospect left in their cards.
Since Indiana is not likely to rebuild anytime soon, a waiting-game selection or an experimental pick should be avoided. With the 2021 Draft Class’ embarrassment of riches, the Pacers will not be devoid of a talented piece despite being in the late lottery. They simply cannot afford to pick a “two years from being two years away” player or a relatively unknown commodity anymore.
The lone benefit of being a low lottery team is the tendency of picking according to talent, instead of fit, which has proven to be the reason why some highly-touted prospects fall to lower draft spots than anticipated. Indy is in this exact position, and they must seize this advantage to select the best player available and avoid their recent string of draft misses.
Step 3: The Indiana Pacers must address questions on the coaching staff
Off-court issues have been non-existent for the Indiana Pacers recently, but the abrupt reports of a locker room tension between players and head coach Nate Bjorkgren interjected an array of disappointments that cultivated in the team losing the playoffs. Treading through uncharted waters, the coaching staff absolutely needs some clarity in the offseason.
It’s not Bjorkgren’s fault alone that the Pacers underachieved, but he has his own questionable on-court decisions to ponder on. Despite still having a guaranteed year left in his contract, it’s no secret that he is the coach whom many won’t be surprised to see get fired this summer. Indiana’s possible head coaching vacancy will not be short of suitors and with the East’s improvement, the Blue and Gold’s brass may act more boldly with regards to who will man the sidelines.
Despite being on the hot seat, multiple players recently leaped to the defense of the rookie coach, opening the windown for a possible return. If so, the front office shouldn’t be satisfied, especially with the lack of acuity the team has with their relatively weak panel of assistant coaches as the loss of Dan Burke and Bill Bayno evidently affected the team.
If Bjorkgren indeed remains as the Pacers head coach, the higher-ups should arm him with assistants who have more pedigree. The value of assistant coaches in the league is undervalued by most, but they are pivotal not only in on-court strategizing, but also with player development and ensuring a seamless line of communication between players and coaches. Either way, what Indy needs is utmost clarity and improvement in the coaching staff.
Step 4: The Indiana Pacers must settle the Turner-Sabonis conundrum
One of the things where Indiana Pacers fans constantly parley on is whether the team should move on from Myles Turner or Domantas Sabonis. With another season of mediocrity deploying both bigs in the starting lineup, the quandary between the two talented centers is looming larger as the team is yet to make postseason noise with both of them at the helm.
It’s easy to say that two-time All-Star (and counting) Sabonis should be given undisputed favor, but despite his offensive talent and continuous improvement, the numbers tell a different story. His outright lack of defensive prowess has largely contributed to the team’s steep decline on defense this season, one of the many factors for Indiana’s abrupt decline.
On the other hand, Turner is a DPOY candidate who instantly impacts the outlook of the game with his presence alone. An otherworldly shot blocker, he singlehandedly forces the offense to morph into a less effective attack. While his offense is far from what Sabonis brings to the table, he has a more reliable perimeter game to boot, which is indispensable in todays’ game.
Given both Turner and Sabonis’ individual brilliance, perhaps no correct answer can be truly formulated. But what’s inarguable is that breaking up the big man combo is starting to look like a necessity instead of a mere option as the Pacers’ struggles start to warrant some big changes in the team’s direction. And the front office must address this quandary this offseason once and for all.
Step 5: The Indiana Pacers should be very active in the trade market
Surely, fans would be mad if the Indiana Pacers simply run it back, right? Of course, and rightfully so. The emergence of other rising teams in the Eastern conference is a sign that simply regaining health and banking on continuity will just help them hang around, which is a perfect euphemism for mediocrity.
Blue Wire Podcasts’ Alex Golden perfectly sums it up:
The majority of people had Indiana slated to finish with the 7th seed or worse, at the beginning of the season.
— Alex Golden (@AlexGoldenNBA) May 21, 2021
With teams like Atlanta, New York and obviously Brooklyn improving, the #Pacers CANNOT RUN IT BACK.
Indiana MUST alter its defensive scheme, roster & coaching staff.
The easiest path to retooling is making roster changes, but Indiana, given its cap situation and the summer’s thin crop of free agents, does not have a lot to spend in free agency. Hence, they should instead focus on being at the crux of the trade market.
The Pacers have a lot of likeable and tradeable players who have reasonable salaries. Jeremy Lamb’s expiring contract is the easiest to move, but even those with ample roster control such as Malcolm Brogdon, TJ Warren, and the Turbonis duo will all accrue sizeable interest across the league. Also, they each figure to net some great immediate returns for the Blue and Gold. Luckily, Indiana should have leverage on most talks.
Ultimately, one thing’s for sure: the Indiana Pacers cannot banner the same team and hope that continuity can hoist them toward the upper echelon in the league. Consistency is good, but good can only take you so far. Perhaps this turbulent season was a blessing in disguise in that it will force the team to go off-tangent from their usual course of action and realize that the Blue and Gold will only be ripe for success if they refrain from walking on eggshells.