From this point forward, wins don't matter for the Indiana Pacers (well, they might, but just for all the wrong reasons). Instead, the main priority should be experimenting with their team, whether it be through different lineups, giving players different roles, etc.
This season was supposed to be about development from the beginning. Without Tyrese Haliburton or Myles Turner, nobody expected the Pacers to be too competitive this season. Maybe a Play-In spot was in the cards, but nothing beyond that. But instead of just viewing this as a lost season (or a "gap year"), many fans were excited to see how Indiana would take advantage of this opportunity.
Yeah, it's tough not having Haliburton on the floor. He's the engine of their offense, and he's the biggest reason they have been so successful in recent years. But at least his absence gives everybody else a chance to step up and maybe learn a thing or two about themselves, so that when Haliburton eventually does come back, they'll be even better than they were before.
For the most part, it hasn't worked out as well as Indiana had hoped it would. But there's still a lot of basketball left, and figuring this out should be their top priority.
Not everyone on the Pacers has taken advantage of their opportunity
Some players have developed the way the Pacers were hoping for.
Andrew Nembhard has turned into a legitimate lead ball-handler and playmaker, and he may be an even better complement to Haliburton in the backcourt next season. It was a slow start for Jarace Walker, but he's finally turning it around. Pascal Siakam is putting together an unbelievable season as Indiana's clear top guy. And Jay Huff has shown promise in his first season with the Pacers.
However, the same successes aren't shared with a ton of other players on the roster.
Isaiah Jackson was a big disappointment for the Pacers this season. He was fine, but he wasn't good enough to be their starting center, even after having the job handed to him. Additionally, he lost his spot to Huff and isn't a part of the roster anymore.
Ben Sheppard has mostly struggled this season and could be on the move in the summer. Bennedict Mathurin's season was very up and down before the Pacers traded him at the deadline. And even Aaron Nesmith has taken a step back without Haliburton on the court.
Moving forward, the Pacers should prioritize giving players like Quenton Jackson, Kam Jones, and Kobe Brown opportunities to establish themselves as long-term contributors. After all, for a team looking to re-enter the title picture as soon as next season, they will need as much help as they can get.