Pascal Siakam's re-signing was undoubtedly the main task for the Pacers this offseason. With new rules implemented that deals can be made with players on the team right after the Finals ended, this was the first move made in all of free agency and it is a great one.
Now it is time to not only figure out what to do with Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith, Oscar Tshiebwe, and other upcoming contracts. The team must also figure out what deals to make with other players once June 30th hits. The Pacers could even be looking at trading picks for players like they did with Toppin last year, or vice versa like trading Chris Duarte for a pick to the Kings.
The Pacers are well balanced in salary cap but of course, this season is when Tyrese Haliburton's extension comes into play, Myles Turner earns close to $20 million this year.
Indiana most likely will not keep Doug McDermott which will open up around $13 million in cap space. His salary was picked up after the Buddy Hield dump. His contract was around $23 million. The Pacers have surely thought through where they can end up going since the moment, they lost in the ECF and watching the Celtics win the title only gives them more reason to make a huge splash in free agency.
Thanks to Haliburton, Siakam, and the team depth, Indiana will be a place that free agents will want to start coming to in hopes of winning a ring with this flashy young team. While the Pacers aren't a free-agent destination for any of the top guys on the market, they still should be attractive to B-level players.
B-level players are all the Pacers need to add in order to put themselves in a position to make the NBA Finals.