Pacers fans will love Tyrese Haliburton's new mindset for the 2024-25 season

Last season was the best campaign the Indiana Pacers had in at least a decade. The team finished with a 47-35 record and made the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Additionally, despite earning the No. 6 seed, Indiana still made it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014, though they got swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

By all standards, last season was incredible for the Pacers as they now have a lot to build on. They have a star duo of Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, and they also have numerous rising stars like Andrew Nembhard. However, the team has made it clear they will not get complacent. According to Haliburton, in fact, it is the complete opposite--they are striving for more.

Tyrese Haliburton believes the Pacers 'need to be greedy'

In a recent interview with The Athletic (subscription required), the new face of Puma spoke about the Pacers' outlook for the 2024-25 season. Though he was satisfied with last season's shocking playoff run, Haliburton said he and the Pacers "want more" this year.

"We had a great year," Haliburton said. "But we want more, and I think we need to be greedy. If you really want to win, you really want to do something special, you gotta be greedy."

What this means exactly is unclear. However, one thing that is certain is that Haliburton and the rest of the Pacers team have championship aspirations.

The Pacers have never won an NBA Finals series before. Additionally, despite making nine separate Eastern Conference Finals appearances, they only made the NBA Finals once in 2000, where they lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games. However, with the roster as constructed, this Pacers team has the chance to do something special.

Admittedly, it seems unlikely the Pacers will win a championship next year. They have a fun and exciting team (and, apparently, many NBA GMs seem to believe this as well), but a lot of what they have built so far is based on potential and natural progression.

While he is one of the best players in the NBA, Haliburton has yet to reach his peak. Additionally, the Pacers are still banking on natural progression from players like Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Bennedict Mathurin or Jarace Walker, who will all help the Pacers reach a territory they have not reached in decades.

In comparison to the rest of the East (mostly the Celtics, the New York Knicks, and the Philadelphia 76ers), the Pacers have a tough ladder to climb if they want to become legitimate title contenders immediately. However, if their playoff run from last season was any indication, it is that this iteration of the Pacers loves proving their doubters wrong.