Calling next season a gap year for the Indiana Pacers would mean it's a wasted season for them. However, they have a great opportunity to still compete while also adding weapons to their arsenal and seeing who works long-term.
Recently, Tony East of Locked On Pacers and John Karalis of Locked On Celtics spoke about the idea that each of their respective teams will be in line for a gap year. However, East noted that a gap year indicates a season that is not worth monitoring, and that is completely untrue in Indiana's case. Instead, they will be able to learn some things and experiment a little bit to see what works for when Haliburton (or Tatum in Boston's case) returns from his injury (h/t Locked On Pacers on YouTube).
"it's still a very important season, and I'd actually argue the most fun seasons for fans are the 'no expectation' seasons...how much do you stray away from your typical identity to be as good as possible versus how much of this is developing talent that will fit when No. 0 does come back for either team...that's not a gap year. That's a real season with real goals," East said.
While it will be incredibly difficult for the Pacers to make it back to the NBA Finals next year, they will still have an opportunity to shock the basketball world and make some noise in the Eastern Conference. And even if they don't, they will be able to test different things out and should be an even stronger team than they were before once they get their star guard back.
The Pacers have a chance to make some magic happen
The Pacers have proven time and time again that they are at their best when people count them out. That was evident throughout their last two playoff runs, and they will have a chance to further that narrative next season.
Indiana's identity will be completely different next season. With Haliburton on the shelf, they are likely going to run a much slower offense with Andrew Nembhard running the point. Additionally, they need to figure out what their center situation is going to look like following Myles Turner's stunning departure earlier this summer. Despite all of this, the Pacers still have a talented and hungry roster, and that could be the recipe for another successful season.
Not only will Nembhard be a prime breakout candidate for the Pacers next season, but guys like Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, and Jarace Walker are also worth keeping an eye on. For one reason or another, they each have a chip on their shoulder and will look to showcase how much value they bring to the team. With all of them looking to bring their A-game and prove themselves, that could bode well for Indiana's success.
It is fair to assume the Pacers will not be competing for a title next year. Even so, calling next season a gap year is not entirely fair to the team. They are incredibly resilient and never back down, and fans should expect more of the same next year, regardless of how things may look at the moment.