The Indiana Pacers are preparing to build upon one of the most successful seasons in franchise history. A trade deadline move for All-NBA power forward Pascal Siakam opened the door for the Pacers to shock their critics and reach the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014.
Indiana has spent the bulk of the current offseason ensuring that the core members of the team will return for the 2024-25 campaign, and such an opportunity still exists.
The Pacers have an eight-man rotation that can compete with any team in the NBA. That group consists of Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Siakam, Obi Toppin, and Myles Turner.
Finding players who can crack the rotation will thus be a challenge, as Indiana has a core that it feels comfortable building around and has already found success with.
Incoming rookies such as Johnny Furphy and Tristen Newton are candidates to make a splash in 2024-25, as are 2023 first-round selections Jarace Walker and Isaiah Jackson. The pursuit of improvement is neverending, however, and there are options to consider in free agency.
That includes a group of former Pacers who could potentially be signed for the veteran's minimum if the organization decides to go that route.
Oshae Brissett
Oshae Brissett spent three seasons with the Pacers, showcasing intriguing upside along the way. The forward positions are stacked in Indiana at the moment, making a reunion unlikely, but Brissett is still an interesting name to keep in mind.
A talented forward who has showcased 3-and-D abilities in the past, Brissett could provide depth that enables the Pacers to overcome potential injuries.
Brissett broke out in the G League in 2020-21 and later produced an excellent debut campaign with the Pacers that same season. He averaged 10.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.0 block. 0.9 steals, and 1.6 three-point field goals made in 24.7 minutes per game, shooting 42.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Indiana was inevitably intrigued by what he could provide as a 3-and-D forward who could defend at multiple levels.
Brissett had his moments in 2021-22, but ultimately fell out of favor with the Pacers during the 2022-23 season. An influx of talent hurt his cause, as Indiana has been consistent in adding promising and proven commodities at forward.
Brissett won a championship with the Boston Celtics in 2023-24, but even still, it doesn't seem there's a place for him in Indiana with how deep the team is at forward.