The Indiana Pacers are 7-4 to begin the season and ready to jump back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Tyrese Haliburton is becoming a superstar, but there is work to be done. The Pacers have the best offensive rating in the NBA, but rank 28th in defense. Can they win by going all-in on scoring?
The Pacers may look to sure up their defense before the trade deadline but already classify as a surprise team. Indiana has defeated the 76ers, Bucks, and Cavaliers this season. Those were projected to be three of the top six seeds in the Eastern Conference. Rick Carlisle is working his magic, and the Pacers have the eighth-best net rating in the NBA.
Which players are standing out and who is disappointing after three weeks of action? Here is a closer look at their stock watch 11 games into the regular season.
Stock skyrocketing: Aaron Nesmith
The Pacers acquired Nesmith from the Celtics in the Malcolm Brogdon trade during the 2022 offseason. He was a lottery pick in 2020 but had barely played in Boston. The 6’5 wing earned 24.9 minutes per game with the Pacers and over 26 each night after becoming the full-time starter in mid-December. There was worry that Nesmith would see his role diminished with the addition of Bruce Brown, but that has not happened.
Instead, he is playing the best basketball of his career. Nesmith got a three-year $33 million extension in October and cannot become a free agent until 2027. In return, he averaged 11.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 0.8 steals in 23.9 minutes per game. Nesmith is shooting 51.2 percent from the field and 46.0 percent on his 3-point attempts after 11 contests. He is coming off the bench, but that is not hurting his production.
Aaron Nesmith looks like a quality rotation player for years to come. His shooting percentages are unsustainable, but the 24-year-old continues to improve.
Stock fading: Buddy Hield
Hield is making $19.2 million in the final year of his contract. The two sides could not agree on an extension, which sparked trade rumors (subscription required) in September. Indiana does not want the sharpshooter to walk and get zero in return, so expect to see the chatter heat up closer to February’s deadline.
It has not been a fantastic start to the season for Hield. He is coming off the bench and playing just 23.5 minutes per game, which is the lowest since his rookie season in 2017. The 6’4 wing is putting up 12.1 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, but is shooting just 41.0 percent from the field and 37.2 percent on his threes. Most players would love to have that 3-point percentage, but Hield is a career 40.2 percent sharpshooter from long range.
He has never been known for his defense, so his shot-making is crucial. Hield is 17th in the NBA in threes attempted per game, and it is only a matter of time before he regains his career connect rate. He needs to get back on track if he hopes to be traded before the deadline.
The 6’4 wing wants a long-term contract, so do not be surprised to see him land one with his new team. Buddy Hield is one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, despite his defensive struggles, and teams love shooting.
Stock skyrocketing: Myles Turner
Turner’s minutes are down to 26.6 per game, which is his lowest average since his rookie season in 2016. Fouling out in 19 minutes against the 76ers and four blowouts are to blame. The Pacers are playing Turner plenty when the games are close, and the 6’11 big man is producing.
The 27-year-old is in the middle of his prime and averaging 17.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game after the first 11 contests. He is shooting 51.5 percent from the field, 39.6 percent on his threes, and 79.2 percent from the free throw line. Turner is just 0.1 points below his career-high set last season, despite playing 2.8 fewer minutes per game.
The otherworldly block numbers are not there, but he is still tied for 12th per game and one monster night away from being right up there. Turner has 19 blocks this season and is just five behind Chet Holmgren for fifth in the NBA. He had five games with five or more swats last season and another ten where he blocked four. The 6’11 big man swatted four in just one of his first 11 this season.
All signs point to a monster season from Myles Turner. He is shooting more threes and connecting at a higher rate. Turner is a key piece of the Pacers top-rated offense and fans know what he can do on the other end of the floor.
Stock fading: Isaiah Jackson
Jackson was the 22nd pick in the 2021 NBA Draft and wound up in Indiana after the five-team trade that sent Russell Westbrook to the Lakers. He jumped into the rotation down the stretch of his rookie season and had fans excited after averaging 11.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks in 21.8 minutes per game over his final 16 contests.
Jackson played 16 minutes per game in year two and failed to impress. He put up 7.2 points and 1.5 blocks but had a negative box score plus-minus. Jackson has a limited offensive game and the Pacers just simply do not have enough minutes for everyone.
This season, Jackson is outside the nightly rotation. He has played in five games so far and is averaging 5.6 points and 1.8 blocks in 14.6 minutes per game. The 21-year-old can offer some rim protection when needed but is currently behind Myles Turner, Obi Toppin, and Jalen Smith in the big man pecking order for Rick Carlisle.
The former first-round pick is waiting for an opportunity and may get traded before starting the final year of his rookie contract. The Indiana Pacers do not have a massive role for Isaiah Jackson, but some team may take a chance on his potential.
Stock skyrocketing: Obi Toppin
The Knicks selected Toppin eighth overall in the 2020 NBA Draft ahead of Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey, and Desmond Bane, but things never quite worked out in the Big Apple. Toppin struggled to get minutes behind Julius Randle and could not break out. New York traded the 6’9 forward for two second-round picks this offseason, and the Pacers were excited to land the talented 25-year-old.
Toppin has been the starter since opening night and is finally getting his chance to shine. He is leading the league by shooting 76.4 percent from two-point range as half of his field goal attempts are coming inside three feet. It has allowed him to score 11.1 points in just 22.7 minutes per game.
His 3-point attempts and percentage are down, but the Pacers have the league’s best offense with Toppin playing a key role.
The 25-year-old must improve to be a long-term starter. He has played below-average defense and must do more than throw-down monster dunks. His jumper needs work, but coach Carlisle has had success in developing 3-point shots over the years. Toppin becomes a restricted free agent in the summer of 2024, and he must continue to grow his game if he wants a massive contract.
Stock fading: Jarace Walker
The Pacers drafted Walker with the eighth overall pick in 2023 and had a void at the four. The 20-year-old entered training camp with a shot to immediately start and play significant minutes, but he lost that role to Obi Toppin.
With Jalen Smith, Myles Turner, and Isaiah Jackson all searching for minutes and coach Carlisle’s desire to play some small ball with one big man on the floor, Walker is not even part of the rotation. He has played in just three of the first 11 games and seen a total of 27 minutes on the floor.
The Pacers rookie is one of two players that were drafted in the top ten not averaging over ten minutes per game. The other eight are all above 16 each night and play key roles. Walker has done little to impress in his limited run and will likely see his most minutes in the G League this season.
Coach Carlisle has a reputation for not playing rookies, but it does not hold up. He had zero issues handing the keys to Luka Doncic in year one on his way to Rookie of the Year honors. Carlisle struggles to play young talent who is not ready to contribute to winning in the NBA, which is where Walker stands.
Pacers fans should not panic. The 20-year-old has years to grow and improve his game. It has been a slow start to his NBA career, but that means little if he keep getting better.
Stock skyrocketing: Tyrese Haliburton
Haliburton is taking another leap. He became an All-Star in his first full year with the Pacers and averaged 20 points per game for the first time. The 23-year-old was in the running for All-NBA before he missed 24 of the final 40 regular season games. Haliburton played for Team USA in the summer and was working on his game.
In his first ten games to start his fourth NBA season, the 6’5 guard averaged 24.7 points, 12.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 33.7 minutes per game. He is shooting 52.8 percent from the field, 43.6 percent on his threes, and 93.2 percent from the foul line. Haliburton leads the league in assists and offensive win shares as he runs the most efficient offense in the NBA.
Rick Carlisle is known for maximizing his star, and the championship coach is doing it with Tyrese Haliburton. He is on pace to make his second All-Star team and first All-NBA appearance as the 6’5 guard takes that superstar leap. Can Haliburton lead the Pacers to the playoffs and make them a title contender? That is the next step for the 23-year-old.
The Indiana Pacers have been an early-season surprise. Can they keep it up? Their offense is special and led by a blossoming young talent. Do not count out some continued growth. The arrow is certainly pointing up for Haliburton and the Pacers.