What's the best path to improve this Indiana Pacers team?

The Indiana Pacers are one of the few teams that are very close to winning an NBA title. Making the Eastern Conference Finals was a great start for this young team. It's clear that they need to get better to make the NBA Finals, specifically on defense. Offensively, they have enough.

We've talked a lot in the past month about how the Pacers need to improve to get over that final hump. We've talked about several players who could end up helping them do just that. With just second-round draft picks, the Draft is not a great way for them to improve in any meaningful way.

Re-signing Pascal Siakam was the priority for the Pacers in the offseason. They have that completed. So what is the best way to meaningfully improve this team for next season? Is it through some free-agency signings? Or is it best to get those players via trades?

The Pacers should utilize trades to improve their team

Some trades seem like the best way for this team to improve in a way that makes them a true title contender. Ownership rarely spends in free agency. In fact, the two largest contracts in Pacers history are the Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam contracts.

They have a decent amount of trade assets. T.J. McConnell is on an expiring contract. Jarace Walker is a young piece that is respected around the league. Bennedict Mathurin is too, for the right third star. They also have all of their first-round picks to move except for the 2026 first-round pick.

Indiana just has to figure out what players could be available for the assets that they have. Kevin Pritchard has a pretty good track record with the trades he's made for the Pacers. That would be a path that is the most logical for them to improve the quickest.

Trades are already starting to be made. One potential target is already off the board. It's time for Indiana to start making some calls and see what's available out there.