The Indiana Pacers want to remain competitive next season, but realistically, they are in serious danger of missing the playoffs entirely.
Despite being one win away from winning their first-ever NBA Championship last season, the Pacers now find themselves in a tough spot, and making another deep playoff run is going to be highly unlikely. At least next season.
Most notably, the Pacers are going to be without Tyrese Haliburton for all of next season as he recovers from an Achilles injury. Additionally, the team lost Myles Turner, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks as a free agent in the offseason. The team will look completely different next season, and it is fair to assume they will go through their ups and downs as they navigate everything.
Indiana has shown no signs of wanting to tank next season, and they do have what it takes to surprise some people and make some noise. However, even with how wide-open the Eastern Conference is, the Pacers will need a lot to go their way to remain competitive next season, and that goal may prove to be too difficult for them to achieve.
The Pacers still have a talented team, but it may not be enough
Even without Haliburton and Turner, two of their most important players in recent years, the Pacers have a young and skilled roster that can mesh well with one another.
Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin will be starting together in the backcourt next season, and there is a lot to like about their prospects as a duo. Additionally, fans should expect to see Pascal Siakam's best version of himself as a Pacer next season, and the team will look for many players to turn it up another level, such as Jarace Walker and Isaiah Jackson.
The Pacers have a lot going for them, and it may be only fair for them to see how much damage they can do when their backs are up against the wall. But, as it stands, it will still be incredibly difficult for them to compete, and a playoff appearance is far from a guarantee for them.
Fortunately for Indiana, they do have a few things going for them. In addition to still having a solid team in a weaker East, they thrive as underdogs, and they are at their best when everybody has counted them out. It may not be enough for them to make a big impact, but nobody has counted them out in recent seasons more than they are now, and that is something worth monitoring the rest of the way.
Furthermore, the Pacers still have one of the best head coaches in the league in Rick Carlisle, who should be able to get the most out of the roster next season.
After being so close to winning it all last season, Pacers fans are rightfully not happy about the team's outlook for next season. However, Indiana still has a bright future, and they should be able to return to legitimate title contention down the line. Until then, though, they will just have to try to remain afloat and figure some things out, which may ultimately be what keeps them out of the playoff picture for at least one season.