The Indiana Pacers will likely have a different system next season with Andrew Nembhard running the point instead of Tyrese Haliburton, but they can't go so far away that it impacts their future. This is a tough balance the Pacers will have to find next season, and it could prove to be a real struggle.
Indiana is known for being one of the fastest-paced offenses in the NBA. They rely a lot on ball movement, improvisation, and simply tiring out opposing defenses. However, a big reason they are able to do that is because Haliburton is the perfect point guard to operate this run-and-gun style due to his skill level and efficiency as a playmaker and passer
Unfortunately for the Pacers, they will not have Haliburton next season due to an Achilles injury. Instead, they will slide Nembhard over to point to make up for his absence.
With a new point guard running the show, it is fair to assume that Indiana will do things a bit differently next season. Instead of focusing on pushing the tempo, they may slow things down a bit and run a more traditional offense to play to Nembhard's strengths.
This is a good idea in theory, but if the Pacers go too far away from what typically works for them, this could be a disaster for the long run. Furthermore, if they don't change this enough, then Nembhard will be forced to be Haliburton 2.0, which may prove to be too daunting, if not impossible.
On a recent episode of the "Locked On Pacers" podcast, Tony East questioned exactly how different the team is going to look next season, and if it will impact their future.
"How much do they go away from it to build a style that works for their team that they have for this one season? But that's just it. If you go too far away, you're focusing too much on one season and not your long-term approach," East said about the Pacers' potential system shift.
The Pacers need to change up their offense if they want to compete
There are pros and cons to Indiana changing up its offense if they do. However, despite what many are expecting, the Pacers have shown no signs that they plan to tank, and they will look to remain competitive in a wide-open Eastern Conference. If they want to ensure as much success as possible, they need to play to Nembhard's strengths and run the offense through him.
The Canadian native is a natural point guard, and fans should have confidence that he will perform at a high level next season. However, this does not mean the offense will not take a hit, especially given that they no longer have Myles Turner on the roster either.
Nembhard is an exceptional ball-handler and excels in the half-court. This is the opposite of Haliburton, who can make plays happen at any time while running the length of the floor.
It is not ideal, but the Pacers need to change their offense up a little bit next season to be as successful as they can be next season. Plus, if nothing else, this could at least help them learn what works and what doesn't as they look to re-establish themselves as title contenders once they get their star guard back.
The Pacers have a unique opportunity to experiment a bit and potentially add some tools to their toolbox, and they may never get this chance again after next season. It could be risky, but they need to make an offensive shift, especially since it can help them in the long run.