The Indiana Pacers are a great team. They made the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in a decade after barely being expected to make the playoffs before the season started. Because of their superstar point guard, they were able to get some deep playoff experience.
Even though they weren't able to make it to the Finals, they have some battle scars now. Blowing Game 1, Game 3, and Game 4, of the East Finals is going to hurt. It should ultimately make them better though. Tyrese Haliburton also didn't play in those final two games.
The Pacers have a clear window now. They have two or three years that they can get better to get out of the East and play for an NBA title. In order to take advantage of the window that is now open, they have to do something they didn't do back in 2014: spend money.
The Pacers must not cheap out in the offseason this year or next year
Not only do the Pacers need to pay the luxury tax this year, they need to try to get the best players possible no matter what the cost. If needed, they need to pay just below the second apron. Fans should want them to spend over the first apron in order to build a contender.
Spending past the first apron would give them a shot to get a player like Paul George or OG Anunoby in free agency. They could afford a trade to get Brandon Ingram or Mikal Bridges. It would be a worthwhile move to go in now while this team is still young and can grow together.
Pascal Siakam is going to eat a large chunk of the cap with the max contract that he will command. That's why the Pacers would have to spend into the first apron to get the elite players that they need in order to win an NBA title.
These windows don't open often. Indiana has just one Finals appearance in their NBA history. If Herb Simon wants to win a title before he passes, this team is his best chance at that. Now is no time to be cheap.