With Tyrese Haliburton on the shelf for the entirety of next season due to an Achilles injury, the expectation is that the Indiana Pacers will take a gap year and become title contenders again upon his return. In theory, this makes sense, but it completely ignores one legitimate possibility: what if Haliburton never returns to form?
As has been the case for most NBA players in recent history, suffering an Achilles injury is almost like a death knell for their career. Either they return as a complete shell of their former selves, or they do not return at all. There are reasons to believe the Wisconsin native will be an exception, especially because he is still very young, but it is still something to think about.
In Haliburton's absence, the Pacers will most likely slide Andrew Nembhard over to point and see how the rest of the team gels. They will have one season to see what works and what does not before their star guard comes back. Overall, this could be a good opportunity for Indiana, but if Haliburton's fate is the same as the average player's, it might not even matter in the end.
The Pacers will look like a different team without Tyrese Haliburton
With Nembhard running the show instead of Haliburton, the Pacers' offense is most likely going to be a lot less dynamic. Instead of running their fast-paced and energetic offense they have become known for, Indiana will likely rely more on running set plays in the half-court and adhering to Nembhard's strengths. This could still work, but it is far from ideal for the team.
Easily the biggest reason for their recent success, especially offensively, is because of Haliburton's presence. He is fantastic at pushing the tempo and improvising on offense. Not only is the 25-year-old a great playmaker, but he is also a fantastic scorer. Nembhard is a solid backup option, but he is no Haliburton.
The best-case scenario for Indiana would be to see who steps up next season as the team looks to re-enter the title picture. Doing so would prove to the team exactly who can be relied on in the future after Haliburton returns, especially when the lights are at their brightest. Furthermore, it will allow the team to cut some loose ends and trim the fat off their team.
On the flip side, the worst case scenario for the Pacers would be that, even once they get their star guard back, he and they never reach their 2025 peak again. Achilles injuries are no joke, and it is crucial that they play it with caution. However, even in this case, things might take a turn for the worst, and that is a brutal thought for the Pacers.