Indiana Pacers: 3 burning questions surrounding Ben Simmons

How does adding Ben Simmons affect the Indiana Pacers’ ceiling as a team?

Major shakeups for the sake of an overhaul rather than doing them out of necessity always begin on rocky footing. In this sense, given Ben Simmons’ multi-layered effect on how the Indiana Pacers play out their cards if they indeed trade for him, he will probably not move the needle much for the team, at least to kick things off.

Unless the Pacers subsequently manage to construct an ideal roster tailor-made for the Australian, there’s no clear way for Indiana to crack the top of the East. And building a lineup which caters to his strengths is always easier said than done. I mean, look at Philly.

Personally, Brogdon and Warren (or even LeVert) are dynamic players who can mold their playstyles to fit different needs. In a sense, they’re much more congenial assets on a team level in roster construction. If even this balancing scale doesn’t unveil a clear edge, then how can we justify that trading for Simmons will suddenly etch Indiana among the list of contenders?

If this materializes, the Pacers will have to accept that such revamp will basically require an entire process to cement the team’s identity and direction. Until then, no one will be struck with fear seeing the Blue and Gold on their calendars, especially with the league still bombarded by a bevy of multifaceted, veteran-led contenders whose title windows are far from an worn-down chassis.