The Indiana Pacers are already eliminated from playoff contention and don't have much to play for for the rest of the season. With only a few weeks left on the schedule, they need to prioritize staying as healthy as possible (especially their veterans) and just shifting focus to next season, when they will be ready to re-enter the title picture.
In a recent episode of the "Locked On Pacers" podcast, JMV from 107.5 The Fan opined that Indiana's veterans don't have anything to prove for the rest of the season. It's just all about staying healthy at this point.
"No, not really. Just stay healthy, I guess," JMV said about whether the Pacers' veterans need to prove anything for the rest of the season.
The Pacers need their guys to be ready to go for next season
This season has been a disaster for the Pacers, even under the circumstances of Tyrese Haliburton's injury and Myles Turner's departure. A lot of people thought they might be able to sneak into the postseason, potentially securing one of the Play-In spots this season, but that's not happening.
As it stands, their 16-56 record is the worst in the NBA, and they have a good chance of keeping their first-round pick this year (which would go to the Los Angeles Clippers if it lands in the 5-9 range). But even in what has been a disappointing season, everybody expects the Pacers to bounce back and potentially be even better than they were when they made it to Game 7 of the NBA Finals last year.
In order for that to happen, though, they need to be as healthy as possible.
Ivica Zubac has already been ruled out for the rest of this season due to a rib fracture, and he's expected to be a big part of the Pacers' plans to compete for a championship next season. Additionally, other key players Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, T.J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin all missed a chunk of time due to their respective injuries (I know a lot of people think their absences were mostly tank-related, but I don't know. I feel like it's bad juju to just assume it was).
With wins meaning nothing to the Pacers for the rest of the season (if anything, they're more like losses at this point), it doesn't make any sense for them to risk anything. They should just keep playing their young and unproven guys and get better looks at players like Jarace Walker, Ben Sheppard, and everybody who is on a two-way contract.
Next season could be a special one for Indiana, especially if it can land a top player in this year's draft. But whether a championship or even just a return to the finals is on the table will ultimately come down to health, which should be the team's biggest priority for the next couple of weeks.