Pacers may already have next hidden gem on their roster

There are a lot of players for Indiana Pacers fans to be excited to see take that next step next season. Perhaps most notably, though, is second-year wing Johnny Furphy, who just got a significant co-sign from star guard Tyrese Haliburton.

During his Media Day appearance on Monday, Haliburton called Furphy "a gym rat" and spoke highly about his work ethic and development.

"When asked if any players have stood out in pickup games, in terms of development, Tyrese Haliburton gave a lot of praise to Johnny Furphy," Alex Golden of the "Setting the Pace" podcast wrote on X. Haliburton labeled Furphy as a gym rat and said he was the first one back to Indy to start working out after the playoff run."

The Pacers landed the Australian native in the second round in 2024, and while he did not play too much during his rookie season, he still showed some promise.

In an April game against the Orlando Magic, Furphy recorded 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting, six rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 32 minutes. He was the second-leading scorer of the game behind Bennedict Mathurin, who scored 20 points in 41 minutes.

The expectation is that Furphy will have a much bigger opportunity this season as the Pacers attempt to navigate through life without Haliburton and Myles Turner, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency. Exactly how he will perform in an expanded role remains to be seen, but as it stands, there are reasons for fans to be excited about what he can bring to the table.

Johnny Furphy can establish himself as a valuable contributor this season

Even though he looked solid during his limited action last season, Furphy looked like he drastically improved during Summer League, when he averaged 11.3 points, 4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a steal in just 22.9 minutes. Additionally, he shot 52% from the field.

While those stats are decent, they do not do Furphy's full performances justice. He looked much more comfortable on both sides of the ball, and he was much more physical (which is something the Pacers desperately need). The Kansas alum looks ready for a bigger role, and fortunately for him, it looks like he is about to get it.

On paper, Furphy could be a big-time "addition" to Indiana's rotation. He has size, athleticism, and versatility. Furthermore, he was a good three-point shooter in college, shooting 35.2% from beyond the arc on 3.8 attempts, and he is also a good finisher at the rim. Plus, while he is not a lockdown defender, he does provide value in this area, and he can become a real asset down the line.

The 20-year-old has a lot of potential, and it is clear that he already has some fans within the organization. There are a lot of things he can do, and if he realizes his full potential, he will become a legitimate weapon for the Pacers as they look to re-establish themselves as title contenders.