The Indiana Pacers believe they are ready to win right now
The firing of Nate Bjorkgren after just one season, paired with the hiring of Rick Carlisle, proves that the Pacers want to win right now. Rather than sitting and letting a first-time head coach learn as he goes, the Pacers moved on from Bjorkgren and looked for a proven head coach with playoff experience.
Rick Carlisle was the best name on the market as the Pacers began their coaching search this summer and they went all out to bring him back. They offered the former Mavericks head coach a four-year, $29 million deal to lock him into the squad this offseason. That is a massive contract for a head coach and one that would not be thrown around if the team was not on board with contending.
Even if we do not agree that the Pacers are at that level right now, that does not dispute the idea that they believe they have what it takes. They also hinted at that with the first of their two draft picks earlier this offseason.
Chris Duarte, a 24-year-old guard who is ready to contribute right now, was selected with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. Duarte will effectively replace Doug McDermott in the rotation while also bringing much more defense to the bench.
While he has shined in his first Summer League and looks to be an NBA-ready wing, there were questions about his fit with Indiana. He was projected as more of a bench contributor for a contender with the Lakers, Warriors, and others reportedly interested. Does that mean the Pacers want to be part of that group?