The Indiana Pacers aren't your average small-market franchise. Rich in history, the Pacers have followed traditional paths such as the NBA Draft to success, but quietly rank among the most active teams in the NBA when it comes to making trades.
Despite losing Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks and Tyrese Haliburton to an achilles injury, Indiana's history of overcoming the loss of a franchise player proves it can contend sooner than later.
Indiana reached the 2025 NBA Finals with a rotation that was built in an on-brand manner. It traded for starters Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and Pascal Siakam, and drafted the other two players in their featured five in Andrew Nembhard and Myles Turner.
Indiana also drafted backup wings Bennedict Mathurin and Ben Sheppard, and signed key reserves T.J. McConnell and Obi Toppin at times when they were undervalued by the market.
It's the path the Pacers have somewhat consistently traveled to the success they've experienced under team president Kevin Pritchard. Just when it seems as though they've hit their ceiling, Pritchard completes a move that transforms the identity of the team—all the while finding diamonds in the rough.
Pritchard's history of major trades, acing the NBA Draft, and finding hidden value in free agency should have Pacers fans wildly optimistic about the future.
Pacers are among the best at reinventing rather than rebuilding
Pritchard became team president in 2017 and instantly made his mark. He handled the delicate Paul George trade saga in a remarkable manner, acquiring Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis in the deal that sent Indiana's franchise player to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Oladipo went on to win the Most Improved Player award, also earning All-Defense, All-NBA, and All-Star honors for his efforts during his first season with the Pacers.
Despite losing George, the face of the franchise, Indiana improved its record from 42-40 to 48-34. A year later, Oladipo played just 36 games, yet the Pacers still went 48-34 with Pritchard addition Bojan Bogdanovic leading the team in scoring and both Sabonis and Turner finishing in the top-five in award voting.
Pritchard then went on to add Malcolm Brogdon and T.J. Warren, who played significant roles in the team going 45-28 in 2019-20 despite playing 54 games without Oladipo.
The next three seasons were admittedly tough, with Oladipo's injury altering his career trajectory and the Pacers missing the playoffs. Pritchard responded, however, by making difficult decisions, including trading Sabonis, now an All-Star, for Haliburton.
With an unexpected trade for Siakam in 2023-24, the finishing touches were put on Indiana's unexpected return to the ranks of the contenders.
In an ideal world, Haliburton will make a full recovery and any comparisons to Oladipo will be left behind. Regardless of what transpires, however, Pritchard has proven that he will be aggressive yet practical in exploring what trades are available to him while still prioritizing internal development.
Indiana may find it difficult to compete for a championship in 2025-26, but Pritchard has proven that he can retool as well as anyone in the NBA.