The Pacers might still be good enough to win it all if they run it back

The Pacers were one of the final four teams left in the NBA this season after they made a surprising run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Quite frankly, they shouldn't have gotten swept. They could easily have had a 3-1 lead had they been able to close the games out they were leading in the last three minutes.

Instead, they went home and had to watch the team that beat them win it all. The Boston Celtics are the NBA Champions. It was still a great season for Indiana. A young team got a lot of needed playoff experience and they saw what it takes to win close games against a good team.

The Pacers are really good but they could also use some upgrades in the eyes of some fans. Defensively, they were porous the entire season. Yet, could the missing piece be on the team already? Are they still good enough to run it back and be title contenders next year?

The Pacers could still win an NBA title if they run it back with most of the same roster

Indiana has some great offensive pieces. They have two stars in Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. Now that they brought back Siakam, they don't have much cap space to do anything else. There's a good chance that the Pacers decide to run it back next season.

Jalen Smith won't be a part of that because he has declined his player option for next year. Still, he wasn't a part of the playoff rotation in the final two rounds of their run. That also opens up some playing time for Jarace Walker, as would Obi Toppin deciding to leave. That decision hasn't been made yet though.

There's something to be said about a young team that finally developed some chemistry with its starting lineup and rotation coming back next year and being better in those roles. Haliburton will only get better. Siakam is in his prime. Aaron Nesmith showed he's a reliable defender. Myles Turner had his best offensive season.

Why can't this team run it back and be more successful next year?