With the major roster shakeups that happened during this past NBA offseason, many are forgetting about what the Indiana Pacers accomplished just a few months ago. Despite entering last season's playoffs as the No. 6 seed, Indiana made their first Eastern Conference Finals appearance since 2014 before getting swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics.
While many are predicting that either the Celtics will be the top team in the conference again or a team like the New York Knicks or Philadelphia 76ers will cement themselves as the best team in the East, the Pacers are looking to prove to everybody that last season's conference finals run was not a fluke and that they are a legitimate contender.
This offseason, the Pacers kept most of their roster from last season intact. They re-signed Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, and James Johnson, but they moved on from Jalen Smith and Doug McDermott. With the preseason officially over and the regular season less than a week away, let's take a look at Indiana's projected lineup and rotation for the 2024-25 season.
Indiana Pacers' projected starting lineup and rotation
PG | SG | SF | PF | C | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Starters | Tyrese Haliburton | Andrew Nembhard | Aaron Nesmith | Pascal Siakam | Myles Turner |
Backups | T.J. McConnell | Ben Sheppard | Bennedict Mathurin | Obi Toppin | Isaiah Jackson |
Deep bench | Tristen Newton (two-way) | Jarace Walker | James Johnson | James Wiseman |
This is a good indication of who the team will roll out next season, but there are still a few questions regarding the Pacers' depth chart that still need answers.
For starters, rookie Enrique Freeman, who is currently on a two-way contract, had an impressive preseason and could be bound for a standard contract sooner rather than later. He brings a lot of energy to the court and is quickly becoming a fan favorite.
Additionally, there is still no word on who the Pacers' primary backup center behind Myles Turner will be. James Wiseman had a solid preseason, but his lack of defensive presence may keep the door open for Isaiah Jackson to claim the spot. It also would not be a surprise to see both big men used evenly to start the year until one stands out over the other.
Overall, the Pacers have a fun roster that is in a good spot to compete for a championship in the foreseeable future. They may not have made the major moves in the offseason that the Knicks or 76ers did, but the Pacers are still a top team in the East, and their campaign last season proved it.
The Pacers kick off the regular season on the road against the Detroit Pistons on October 23. Hopefully for Indiana, it will be their first of many wins this season.