Many fans have been calling for the Indiana Pacers to give Johnny Furphy a bigger role, and it seems like that is exactly what is going to happen. According to Pacers GM Chad Buchanan, the team is impressed with Furphy's development, and they believe he can "be very impactful" for the team moving forward (h/t the Setting the Pace podcast).
"If you go back and look at last year's summer league to where he was at to where he's at now, there's definite growth in every part of his game," Buchanan said about Furphy. "We like that physicality that he brings, and I think as his body catches up to his playstyle, I think he can be very impactful for us playing off the ball with his cutting [and] his transition game."
The Australian native did not get too many opportunities to shine during his rookie season, but he still looked solid when he played.
There is a lot to like about Furphy's game and his long-term fit in Indiana. And with next year likely being a gap year for the team, they will use that as an opportunity to experiment and see what works for them for the future. In doing so, they will give some of their younger players more chances to show what they can bring to the table. While most eyes will be on guys like Andrew Nembhard, Bennedict Mathurin, and Isaiah Jackson, Furphy is another player worth monitoring. This is especially true now that it has been made clear exactly what the organization thinks of him.
Johnny Furphy can be a long-term contributor for the Pacers
He did not play too much this year, but when he did, Furphy made it clear he was too good to play in summer league. In three games, the 20-year-old averaged 11.3 points, 4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a steal in just 22.9 minutes. Additionally, he shot 52% from the field.
Though his stats are solid, they do not do his performances justice. Furphy looked very comfortable on the court on both sides of the ball and used his physicality to his advantage (i.e., his viral poster against the Chicago Bulls). He still has some areas of his game to improve on, but he showed a lot of promise in summer league. Where he goes from here remains to be seen, but it is fair to assume he will see a much bigger role during his sophomore season.
While Furphy played well in summer league, it is crucial that he can translate this to NBA action. The Pacers are not likely to be legitimate contenders next season, but they should be able to re-establish themselves as such once Tyrese Haliburton returns from his Achilles injury. If Furphy can live up to his potential, he should be a legitimate player for them as they aim to return to the NBA Finals.
The season is still months away, and a lot can change. However, as it stands, it seems that Furphy could be in line for a breakout season. He already has fans within the organization, and he has already improved. Furphy will be a player for fans to keep an eye on next season as the team attempts to navigate through a gap year while also remaining competitive in the Eastern Conference.