As the Indiana Pacers prepare for what most expect to be a gap year, one player to keep an eye on is Ben Sheppard, who may be entering his final season with the team.
Recently, Pacers GM Chad Buchanan spoke about what his expectations are for Johnny Furphy heading into his second year. Buchanan made it clear that he and the team are big fans of the Australian native and that he can be a long-time contributor in Indiana. Furthermore, Buchanan also compared Furphy to Sheppard and seemingly admitted which player he is higher on (h/t the Setting the Pace podcast).
"He's very good at catching the ball on the move and going to the rim, which creates a lot of attention for the weak-side defense, and his shooting is gonna be the big swing skill factor for him. If he can develop into a high-30s catch-and-shoot threat for us, he can do a lot of the same things and more than what Ben Sheppard does, because he's a little bit bigger, a little more athletic, but [a] very similar playstyle, Buchanan said about Furphy.
After a solid summer league showing, expectations are increasingly getting higher for Furphy, who looks a lot more comfortable on the court. Next season, he may be in line for a bigger opportunity, and if he can make the most of it, that might spell the end of Sheppard's tenure in Indiana.
Ben Sheppard is solid, but he is also replaceable
In his two seasons since being drafted by the Pacers with the 26th pick in 2023, Sheppard has shown some flashes. He has turned into a decent 3-and-D player, though his game is very limited, particularly offensively. Furthermore, while he still has time to develop at just 24 years, it does not bode well for him that Furphy, who has a lot more upside, is over three years younger.
Sheppard also has a team option for the 2026-27 season, which the Pacers cannot make a decision on until later this year. While retaining him likely would not cost much for Indiana, it could be in their best interest down the line to move on from him, especially if they commit to Furphy as a shooting guard, or if they want to play into his versatility.
The Atlanta native can also be very streaky at times. In his last 25 games of the regular season, Sheppard averaged 4.1 points on 38.9% shooting from the field and 27.3% shooting from beyond the arc in 18.1 minutes. His poor offensive performances carried over into the postseason, though he was able to slightly turn things around as the playoffs progressed.
There is a lot to like about Sheppard's game. He can provide value on both sides of the ball, he is still young, and he is on a cheap contract. Furthermore, he brings energy whenever he steps onto the floor and is a solid fit in Indiana's system. However, he is far from an irreplaceable asset to the team, and they may already have an upgrade over him on the roster. There will be plenty of players to keep an eye on for the Pacers next season, and Sheppard is one of them. If he can play well, he may establish himself as a long-term contributor to the team. However, if he does not, a near end to his Pacers career may be inevitable, especially if Furphy lives up to his potential.