In less than 24 hours, the Indiana Pacers will host the Milwaukee Bucks to begin the 2025 NBA Playoffs. This will mark the beginning of what the Pacers hope is another deep playoff run after last year's conference finals appearance.
While many still doubt the Pacers' standing as a legitimate title contender and playoff threat, the team has not moved away from their lofty expectations of bringing an NBA Championship to Indiana. They will have a tough road ahead of them in achieving this goal, but if this Pacers team has proved anything, it is that they are resilient and they thrive amidst the doubt.
In order for the Pacers to go on another deep playoff run, they will rely on their top players--Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Myles Turner. However, they are far from the only important Pacers to monitor. In addition to their top players, the Pacers will rely on other key contributors to take them all the way, and it will be crucial for them to step up and bring their A-game as the team may have some difficult decisions to make in the offseason.
The Pacers have a busy offseason ahead of them
The playoffs have yet to begin for Indiana, but it is not too early to look at their offseason outlook. Most notably, Turner is set to hit unrestricted free agency, and Bennedict Mathurin is eligible for a rookie-scale contract extension. As it stands, it seems likely that the Pacers will prioritize giving them new contracts. However, earlier reports have indicated that the Pacers do not want to pay the luxury tax. If this is true, they will have to move on from a key player or two in the offseason.
Perhaps the most popular trade candidate for the Pacers is Obi Toppin. However, he has played too well this season to justify trading him strictly for financial flexibility. Instead, the team could look to move another key player--T.J. McConnell.
McConnell is a valuable part of the Pacers' roster and is arguably the best backup point guard in the league. However, his four-year, $44.8 million contract extension will kick in next season, and the 33-year-old guard took a step back this year. Furthermore, the team already has plenty of young guards, including some intriguing long-term options like RayJ Dennis and Quenton Jackson, who impressed during the team's regular season finale.
If McConnell plays up to the standard fans know he can in the playoffs, the Pacers may have no choice but to keep him around. However, if he fails to step up and remind everybody how important he can be, he may be the odd man out as the Pacers aim for financial flexibility.