The Indiana Pacers are not likely to be competitive next season, but fans are about to remember just how interesting and fun a season can be when the team has no high expectations.
Following the season-ending Achilles injury to Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner's shocking departure in free agency, the Pacers are not likely to be competitive next year. At the very least, it is highly unlikely that they will go on a deep playoff run for the third year in a row. Still, while fans would prefer to see the team make it back to the NBA Finals and compete for a championship once again, having a season with low expectations can prove to be exciting and even helpful down the line.
There is still a lot to look forward to during the Pacers' season next year
Many are calling next season a "gap year" for Indiana, and that may be a bit too harsh. This would indicate that it's going to be a wasted season, but that's not going to be the case.
While it is true that the Pacers likely won't make another deep playoff run next year (if they even make it to the postseason at all), next season is still far from a wasted one for them. They will take next season as an opportunity to experiment with their roster a bit, utilize players in different ways, and see what works and what doesn't for when Indiana gets their star guard back.
Perhaps most notably, a lot of eyes will be on Andrew Nembhard next season. Though he has been a fantastic complementary piece alongside Haliburton, the Canadian native will now have a chance to run the show as the team's full-time point guard next season. Nembhard has proven in smaller sample sizes that he can be trusted to run the point, but how he does in an expanded role could make or break Indiana's season.
Furthermore, a lot of fans will be sure to monitor Pascal Siakam, who should be in line for the best season of his Pacers career so far. With Haliburton out, the Pacers will rely much more heavily on Siakam on the offensive end, and he should be able to remind everybody exactly how good he can be.
The Pacers are also going to be auditioning players like Bennedict Mathurin, Jarace Walker, and Isaiah Jackson. For one reason or another, all three of these players have something to prove, and they should each be able to do exactly that with bigger roles next season.
While hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy is not likely in the cards for 2026 for the Pacers, there is still a lot to be excited about. The roster is young and talented, and they still have one of the best head coaches in the NBA. Plus, even if championship contention is highly unlikely for Indiana next year, they at least have the benefit of playing in an inferior Eastern Conference that looks to be completely wide-open.
If there is any team in the NBA that can exceed expectations, it's the Pacers. They did it numerous times last season, and they are capable of doing it once again. Even so, fans should not expect much out of the team in 2026, though their long-term outlook is still bright.