The Pacers’ future is already proving to be on the roster

Many people wondered how the season would turn out for the Pacers. Unfortunately for them, they were set to be without their star player, Tyrese Haliburton, for the entire season, due to him tearing his Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.

The question arose whether they would still be a contender, playoff team, or even maybe a lottery hopeful. For most, it may not have been the dream season they pictured, but it very well could be a blessing in disguise if they can keep this lottery pick.

That said, the roster does have some key young players who can definitely make the impact the team needs for the future. Let's dive in and explore those key players who could help make a difference in Indy.

1. Johnny Furphy

The youngest player on the roster at 21 years old, Furphy already highlights that he can be an exciting piece for this Pacers scheme and style. The high energy and fast-paced play from the team tailors the 6'9" wing's playstyle to be aggressive and to bring a spark of necessary energy off the bench to grab rebounds and do the dirty work. The need for someone to contribute in areas not always shown on the stat sheet is key, and Furphy brings that.

Sadly for this team, the year has been plagued with injuries, and Furphy suffered a major one when he tore his right ACL in February. With him out for the remainder of the season, the Pacers won't get to see continued growth and will only hope he returns healthy to make that impact.

2. Jarace Walker

For Walker, it has been a bumpy road to try to find a role within this team, but as of late, he has found some comfort in his role. This season, with the big questions surrounding the front court after trading Myles Turner, everyone's eyes were on how Walker would succeed.

It was a bit of a rough start in the year, but with him adjusting to a much bigger role, it was expected. That being said, Walker has smoothed out and really has shifted the narrative on the big man. His passing ability and defense have grown tremendously, and it looks like he can be a new fan favorite for years to come.

3. Taelon Peter

Last but certainly not least is Taelon Peter, the rookie taken in the second round of this year's draft. From being predicted to go undrafted to playing on opening night, Peter has done something many fans would not have seen possible. With the injuries to this team, though, it makes sense why he was given an opportunity so early and why that was beneficial.

Even if he is a bit older than the previous two I mentioned (24), the path to the rotation is still there. With him being on a two-way, it will be a hard grind, but plenty of two-way contracts have stood out and gotten guaranteed deals as of late.

Look at guys around the NBA like Neemias Queta and Collin Gillespie, for example. Both were signed to two-way deals, but they proved by the end of their first season with that team that they deserved to be converted. Since they played well, they were rewarded with guaranteed deals the following year, and both have shown in their own light that the promotion was due.

For someone like Peter, who may not be available now, but with the team trying to tank and lower its draft odds to keep their draft pick, it would only make sense that a player like Peter would see those opportunities grow in the last six weeks of the season.

With his ability to shoot the three-ball in college at Liberty (45.3%), he brings an NBA-quality skill that could be valuable to a team that ranks in the bottom 10 in 3pt shooting percentage (34.8%).

If you want more analysis of Peter's best performance from a few weeks ago, check out this piece!