With Tyrese Haliburton out for all of next season with an Achilles injury, the expectation is that Andrew Nembhard will slide over to the point guard role full-time. There is a lot to like about this move, but with him now being the primary ballhandler and creator, it is fair to wonder if his defense is going to take a hit.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Indiana's backcourt is how well they complement one another. Haliburton is exceptional at pushing the pace and creating scoring opportunities, whereas Nembhard makes a big impact on both sides of the ball. However, now that the Canadian native is the main guy for a season, it is fair to wonder if his defense may slip as he takes on a larger role.
Andrew Nembhard needs the perfect backcourt partner
The Pacers are going to look very different next season, with the team needing to answer a lot of questions. Most of the focus will be on how the Pacers will adjust without their star guard, as well as how they will replace Myles Turner after he signed with the Milwaukee Bucks. However, another storyline to keep in mind is who Nembhard's replacement will be as he slides into the Haliburton role.
Nembhard was fantastic and complementing Haliburton's game and picking up the slack in certain areas. However, now that he is going to run the show, it is crucial that the Pacers find the perfect complement for him. Luckily for them, they have plenty of options.
Recently, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan spoke about likely having a bit of a competition to see who the starting shooting guard will be next season. While most expect it to be Bennedict Mathurin, this is not set in stone yet. Buchanan also mentioned possibly moving Aaron Nesmith over to shooting guard, as well as giving the opportunity to somebody like Ben Sheppard or Johnny Furphy. Regardless of who it ends up being, they will have a big role to take on next season.
Despite next season looking like a bit of a gap year for Indiana, it is fair to assume they are going to look to remain competitive. They still have a talented roster with a lot of intrigue, and they have the benefit of playing in a wide-open Eastern Conference. However, in order for them to make some noise, they need to ensure that Nembhard has the right help in the backcourt, especially if his game slips even a little bit throughout the season.