Every year, ESPN surveys a multitude of experts to make their predictions for the upcoming NBA campaign or to give their opinion on moves that transpired that summer. For the last few days, ESPN has slowly rolled out their expert poll results for the 2024-25 NBA season. While it holds no true bearing on the season, it is a fun way to find out where everyone's favorite team ranks in the eyes of experts.
This summer, the poll has not been too kind to the Indiana Pacers, and that trend continues today. In the most recent round of predictions, ESPN's experts voted for which team they thought would represent each conference in the NBA Finals next year, as well as who the winner ultimately will be.
Despite being fresh off an appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals, their first since 2014, the Pacers still remain underdogs going into next season, and ESPN's expert poll reflects exactly that.
The Pacers received zero votes to represent the Eastern Conference next year
According to ESPN's experts, none of them expect the Pacers to make it to the NBA Finals next year. Additionally, in their point system (first-place vote equals five points, second-place vote equals three points, and a third-place vote equals one points), the Pacers scored zero points on the poll.
Team | Points |
|---|---|
Boston Celtics | 97 |
Philadelphia 76ers | 39 |
New York Knicks | 38 |
Milwaukee Bucks | 13 |
Cleveland Cavaliers | 2 |
Of the five teams listed, the Celtics, 76ers, and Knicks all have valid arguments.
The Celtics are the reigning NBA champions and remain the team to beat next year. Philadelphia had arguably the best offseason of any team this summer, adding Paul George, Eric Gordon, Andre Drummond, Caleb Martin, and Jared McCain, among other solid players. And the Knicks acquired wing Mikal Bridges in a shocking trade to begin the offseason.
However, the Pacers have a case to earn more votes than the Bucks and, especially, the Cavaliers. While both of these teams should be playoff-bound next year, neither one of them are clearly better than the Pacers.
It is not a wild opinion to say the Pacers will not win a championship next year. They are still a young team and have a lot of competition on the conference. However, for not a single expert to predict an NBA Finals appearance for the team next year is interesting.
The Pacers are used to being overlooked by now. It is only a matter of time before they earn their respect in the NBA world.