Strength has come in numbers for the Indiana Pacers over the past few years, especially during their unforgettable run to the 2025 NBA Finals.
Entering what will be his sixth NBA season in 2026-27, Micah Potter certainly hopes to become a part of the Pacers’ winning formula as the team fights to regain competitive status in the Eastern Conference with 2-time All-Star Tyrese Haliburton at the controls once again.
The versatile 6-foot-9 center quickly blew Pacers fans away with his blistering efficiency as a jump-shooter through his first 10 outings, averaging 8.4 points and 3.7 rebounds, shooting 15-for-33 (45.5%) from three-point range and flashing some offensive rebounding prowess.
Potter’s ceiling is yet to be defined, but optimism exists that he can not only support the Pacers’ bench unit as a reliable backup big, but that he can help Haliburton find an immediate groove upon his highly anticipated return next season as a trusted pick-and-pop threat.
Micah Potter should make Tyrese Haliburton’s comeback easier
Along with Haliburton, the Pacers were thought to be missing a knockdown frontcourt shooter this past season in the aftermath of Myles Turner’s departure for the Milwaukee Bucks.
However, Potter crushed this narrative throughout Indiana’s overall nightmare-ish season. His threes were striped at an unconscious 42.3% clip spanning a healthy 47-game sample, providing arguably the largest semblance of consistency for a bruised and battered group constantly searching for rotational consistency.
With Haliburton set to re-enter the fold, a partnership with Potter could provide a new and exciting source of efficient offense.
A Haliburton-Potter pairing might also introduce a brand new gravitational effect to the Pacers’ high-powered offense.
Once the former makes his return and connects with the latter on screening actions, the superstar passer will draw plenty of attention from both defensive players involved, leaving Potter with a few guaranteed practice shots at the top of the key.
However, that gravitational concept has potential to flip when more teams begin to take note of Potter’s elite shot-making, allowing Haliburton to take advantage of clearer driving lanes as a result of added attention headed Potter’s way.
The easiest way for the Pacers to assist with Haliburton’s return to action will be to surround him with reliable and efficient talents on both ends of the floor, allowing him to ease his way back into a rhythm.
Plenty of eyes around the association will be drawn to Indiana’s frontcourt after their mid-season trade with the Los Angeles Clippers for Ivica Zubac and ensuing draft lottery disaster, but Potter’s contributions should allow Pacers fans to view the group through a more positive lens once the 2026-27 campaign begins.
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