4 Young players the Pacers should develop, 2 to give up on

The Indiana Pacers hope to build on their run to the conference finals. They signed Pascal Siakam long-term and have helped Tyrese Haliburton blossom into a star. Indiana is still a young squad with tons of upside to improve.

Just two of the Pacers' 14 current players are over 30 years old. Indiana has a recent top-ten draft pick who barely played last season as the Pacers a flush with options. Head coach Rick Carlisle has a reputation for not using his rookies, but Indiana must develop talent if they plan on building a serious title contender around Haliburton.

They have ten players under 25 years old heading into the 2024-25 season. Aaron Nesmith passes that threshold in October. Haliburton and Andrew Nembhard have solidified themselves as key rotation pieces. Indiana just signed James Wiseman in hopes of rebuilding the value of the former second-overall pick. The Pacers want to win but need to develop talent too. Here is a look at which other young players should be prioritized.

Develop: Johnny Furphy

Many expected Furphy to be a first-round pick, but the 6’8 wing slipped to 35th overall before the Pacers traded up to land him. The 19-year-old has massive upside, but growing into it won’t be easy.

Furphy was a plus-shooter during his lone season at Kansas, but there are questions about his defense and overall game. The Pacers were ecstatic to land him and believe in his talent. Furphy is averaging 14.0 points per game during summer league with subpar shooting efficiency.

Fans should not expect him to play much as a rookie, but the Pacers should be focused on developing the teenage rookie. If he becomes a 3-and-D wing, Indiana has a needed piece on a below-market contract for years to come, but the decisions are not all this easy for Indiana.