If they don't make any moves, where do the Pacers sit in the hierarchy of the East?

Some in the media are trying to discredit what the Indiana Pacers did this season. They made the Eastern Conference Finals and could have won three of the four games against the Celtics. It doesn't seem like they are that far away, yet others around the league don't think they are that good.

On their path to making the Eastern Conference Finals, the Pacers didn't have to face Giannis Antetokounmpo. They also played a Knicks team that had five of their rotation guys hurt. No one outside of the state of Indiana seems to think their run was legit.

What does management think? Do they think the run was real? Do they think they need to make big moves in order to sustain this level of success? Or can they just run it back with what they had last season? If they do that, where do they sit in the hierarchy of the East?

The Pacers should be a top-three team in the East even without making moves in the offseason

While Indiana was competitive with the Celtics, it's clear they are the best team in the East when fully healthy. They are going to have an expensive team next season, but they're keeping their starting five intact. The Pacers need some health luck to beat them in a seven-game series.

After that, I think they can compete with anyone. Even when the Knicks are fully healthy, I don't think they are as good as the Pacers. Obi Toppin killed them, as did T.J. McConnell. Both of them could be going somewhere else if Indiana decides to make some big moves.

Milwaukee will be slightly worse even with Giannis back. Damian Lillard and Khris Middleton are a year older. Brook Lopez has maybe two years left in the NBA. The only other team that could be better than the Indiana Pacers is Philly, and that's if they get a third star.

Still, for the Pacers to get over the Boston hump, they need to make some moves. It would be foolish to run it back with the team they have now without trying to improve the wing position.