Predicting where the Pacers will finish in the Eastern Conference next season

Last season, the Indiana Pacers finished with a 47-35 record, their best record since the 2018-19 season. Additionally, the team entered the postseason as the No. 6 seed. However, despite relatively low expectations, the Pacers ultimately advanced to their first Eastern Conference Finals since 2014 before ultimately getting swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.

During this offseason, the Pacers made very few external moves to capitalize on their latest playoff run. The team re-signed Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin. Additionally, they signed James Wiseman to a two-year deal and drafted Johnny Furphy, who could make an impact on the team as soon as this season.

The Pacers appear willing to run it back with the same core that led them to their most successful season in a decade. Furthermore, it seems they are banking on natural progression as the team aims to become serious title contenders. Whether this is the right call or not remains to be seen.

Indiana is a great team on paper and should be in the playoffs again next season. However, the Eastern Conference has only gotten better this offseason. So, when the 2024-25 season is all said and done, where will the Pacers likely rank in the standings?