This season has been a big disappointment for the Indiana Pacers, but better days are ahead, and the team might be even better than many realize.
In a recent episode of "The Bill Simmons Podcast," Simmons reminded everybody why the Pacers can be a special team next season, especially if they secure a top draft pick.
"We keep mentioning Indiana, but it's important because that team made the finals last year, they added [Ivica] Zubac, they're gonna get [Tyrese] Haliburton back, and they might get a guy who is just immediately a transformative starter," Simmons said.
The Pacers should be title contenders next season
Indiana is fresh off its two best seasons in recent years. The team made it to the conference finals in 2024 before getting swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics (though everybody would say the Pacers played them better than any other team did during their run), and they were just one win away from winning an NBA championship just last season.
With Tyrese Haliburton on the shelf, the Pacers aren't that same team. But fans should still be very excited about what next season and beyond will bring.
Like Simmons said, Haliburton should be back on the court for Indiana next season. And to pair him alongside Ivica Zubac, who should be a great fit for the team and will help greatly defensively and on the boards, and potentially a top player in this year's draft (i.e., Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, or AJ Dybantsa, who are all potential franchise players at the NBA level) would be incredible.
Plus, Pascal Siakam was just selected to his fourth career All-Star team. Andrew Nembhard has taken a step forward as the Pacers' lead point guard this season. Jarace Walker is finally turning things around. And the talent on the roster still runs deep.
The Pacers also have the luxury of playing in an Eastern Conference that still looks to be wide-open. Outside of maybe the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics, there isn't a single team in the conference that Indiana should be scared of. If fully healthy, they can match up against any team, and it would be hard to send them packing in a playoff atmosphere.
For the rest of this season, wins don't matter too much for Indiana (losses, on the other hand, might). But once Haliburton steps onto the floor again, it's going to be go time, and the Pacers will be prepared to send a crucial reminder that the rest of the NBA needs to be prepared for.