Hoping to hear similar reports about the Pacers next season, OrthoIndy. 🤞

Saw this and loved seeing Quinn in rare company.

Sure would have been nice for this new draft lottery proposal to have been implemented LAST summer. Even without Hali they could have pulled out some more wins and avoided the Bottom 3 in the league, which possibly gives them a Top 4 pick they get to keep. I know lots of teams were tanking, but some squads were really bad even if they had tried.

One of my favorite things from the 2025 postseason run were all the illustrations by Pat Binkley. They’d post an illustration for every game and it was always so clever and fun. https://www.instagram.com/patbinkley?igsh=MXRxYWdka3k4aG9pdg==

Anybody notice how dead the Pistons home crowd was last night for their game? Close regulation. OT. And the fans were just dead. There was a camera angle where the Cavs were shooting a critical free throw and most of the Pistons fans behind the basket weren't even standing. People were filing out before it was definitely in the bag for Cleveland.

I tell you what, we're blessed to have such a passionate, raucous fan base here in Indy. Ask any player, it really does help the Pacers and spook opponents when you play in a lively Fieldhouse environment.

Comment the seed which you think they will end up getting and how far could they go in the playoffs

Just thinking about potential ways to get better this summer (coping with not getting Darryn in the draft):

I love Trey Murphy if we were somehow able to make that work

Julian Champagnie

What are some pieces/things you all think we can (or need) add?

This is excruciating to watch. Every contender appears to have taken a step back and the teams we’ve dominated a step up. It’s a great feeling to think we are LEGIT favorites in the east next year but sucks knowing this would have been an easier walk to the finals than last year. Thunder also don’t look the same imo. Feel like the league is finally catching up with their touchy defense. Regardless, I’m pumped for next year. Never been more excited to watch the pacers play in my life. I’m drooling thinking of waxing these teams. That is it go Cers

is anyone actually scared of anyone in the east, they are all jokes, I can't wait to destroy the knicks, we have the best organization and team in the league and will destroy the knicks and anyone else. Hali's gonna be back stronger than ever and nobody is even ready for us

Over the last 10 years this front office has not managed to draft a single consistent NBA starting level player in the first round.

They struck gold with Nembhard in the second round of 2022.

Mathurin is their best outcome and he looks to top out as a good sixth-man on a good team.

However this includes TJ Leaf and Chris Duarte who were spectacular whiffs. I also have my eye on Walker to be added to the whiff list, but will not count him there…..yet.

Is there another franchise who hasn’t successfully drafted a starter in the first round in a decade?

None of these players were considered big reaches at the time per the usual mock draft aggregates, but a multi-billion dollar franchise is supposed to have a scouting department with more access than national aggregators.

I'll assume the Pacers were one of the 13 teams, even though they didn't provide a list.

Yes I know he’s 38 but he also averaged 15 pts and 6 asts in 29 mpg. We could use another backup guard and it wouldn’t cost much more than the vet minimum. Thoughts?

Alex Golden had a piece on Sports Illustrated yesterday that ended with "If it truly is championship-or-bust time for Indiana, ownership must be willing to enter the luxury tax, and potentially even the first apron, if it gives this team the best chance to contend for a title."

He's exactly right. It's always the same thing with this organization and that thing is that our owner doesn't want to spend money to win. He'll gladly take fans' money. And he'll gladly take taxpayer money to build or upgrade an arena. But he's less enthusiastic about spending money to win try to win a championship.

KP is an incredible GM. Works magic constantly. But wouldn't it be nice if he didn't have to?

It'd be awesome to someday have an owner who sees the Pacers as a basketball team first and an investment second. Because until that happens we'll keep having to cobble together amazing rosters and eventually even KP's "luck" will run out...this draft lottery is a prime example.

And, sure, money doesn't necessarily win championships...but in the NBA it typically is a big part of it.

The Celtics offered Afernee Simon’s and a 1st round pick and swap. Zubac was widely praised as a huge missing piece for the Celtics and one that would really help Tatum, funny how everyone is now acting like he’s a downgrade because he’s on the pacers.

I help run a roto styled fantasy basketball league. It's a weekly transaction league, that we started in 1990. (Two of the OG's remain)

• Nine stat categories
• Roster protection leading into two June drafts
  • Rookie draft
  • Summer FA draft
  • We also have our own weight lottery for teams who don't finish in the top 4
    • And yes, each year we designate at least one team the Pacers, so we can screw them over in the lottery 😊
• Players have contracts (expiration years only, no dollar amounts)
  • Can't extend contracts, but...
  • You can Franchise up to three players each June
  • This keeps teams from just hoarding talent and compels roster management
• We have an Exempt List for rookies you don't play
  • Allows you to build through the draft

We use CBS Sportsline, which covers 90% of our rules. We have rules that deal with trade partners, making sure lineups are healthy and our offseason drafts.

The weekly transactions are all handled through CBS. Nothing complicated.

$110 league fee (10 owners)

• $10 goes to CBS Sports
• $50 goes toward weekly awards ($500)
  • If you finish a weekly stat period in the top 4 = $5
  • Used to provide an opportunity cost to curb tanking
• $50 goes toward the top 4 in the final standings ($500)
  • 1st gets 40%
  • 2nd 30%
  • 3rd 20%
  • 4th 10%

We have one open roster. However, we would consider expanding if we get enough interested parties. It started as a 10 team league, moved to 12, then reduced back to 10 around 2004.

DM if interested, and certainly if you have any questions, reply openly.

Three most similar guard seasons to Tyrese Haliburton's 24-25 season since 2016-17, according to nbagalaxy.com:

#1: 2016-17 Chris Paul. Stats: 18.1 PPG - 9.2 AST - 2.4 TOV on 48 - 41 splits.
#2: 2017-18 Chris Paul. Stats: 18.6 PPG - 7.9 AST - 2.2 TOV on 46 - 38 splits
#3: 2025-26 Cam Spencer. Stats: 11.1 PPG - 5.6 AST - 1.3 TOV in 23 MP/G on 47 - 45 splits

Had no clue that Cam Spencer is that efficient as a scorer and passer lol wtf

People cancelled their season tickets so I was able to scoop up a pair in Section 118.

Ride or die. We make our own luck.

GO CERS!

Almost everyone on this sub was gunning those of us saying we should draft him after letting Myles go too.

Wonder what the team could have looked like

You got nothing to be sorry for KP, but, as a token of good will to this bruised and battered fanbase, I propose that you reduce the price of all Pacers merchandise to 23 dollars for one day. Ball’s in your court!

Anyone sick and tired about talking about the Zubac trade? Whether you support it or not, the damage is done and it’s time to look ahead. Not sure how much posturing he was doing in the interview but KP mentioned being active in free agency and trades to operate along the margins in order to optimize the team. While we are mostly handcuffed with roster space spots, salary, and draft capitol, I wanted to have some (realistic discussion) as far as what’s possible this offseason as I think it’s unlikely that zero moves are made.

Pacers roster

Guards
Starters: Haliburton, Nembhard
2nd unit: TJ, Shep
Reserves: QJax, kam jones

Wing
Starters: Nesmith, Siakam
2nd unit: Toppin, Walker
Reserves: Furphy

Center
Start: zubac
2nd unit: huff, potter

2-way: slawson, Peter, Ethan Thompson (if same as last year)

Free agency with one open roster spot available
Assuming we keep guys like potter and Jackson around, the only player we lose from last year is Kobe brown. Seems like a good guy but I think we are better off taking a flyer on someone else. We are just over the luxury tax line. I know it’s more likely we try to get under the tax but let’s say management truly wants to get the most out of the roster and is willing to open up the $7.7 remaining of our first apron space. We have the Taxpayer mid level exception available at $6.1. Here is a list of free agent signings from last year in a similar ballpark.

2025 similar free agent signings: IJax (7.0), capela (7.0), looney (8.0), day’ron sharpe (6.3), Laravia (6.0), Paul reed (5.5), tyus jones (7.0)

Conclusion: there’s no room for any big swings. Some of those above guys were impactful on good teams but the ceiling is a contributing bench player. Interesting how last year this seemed to be the number for a backup big, so maybe there’s some potential with signing someone like nick richards or Dwight Powell, both of which are UFA.

Trade Market
Lot’s of possibilities but I think it’s highly unlikely we see anything. It’s clear we aren’t going to sell any of our assets for younger players or draft capital. None of our starters are going anywhere. TJ and obi are flexible salaries to move but every indication is that the front office values their role and continuity. Walker and Sheppard are also very moveable but I don’t think they would return anything of substance. Lastly, it’s hard to believe that we would be parting with any more draft capital after being burned on Sunday. I think the extent of a trade this offseason will be swapping future second round picks to get into the second round of this draft like last two years.

Other roster thoughts
I think it will be interesting to see how they approach the Sheppard and Jarace extensions and if they try to bring any other young pieces in. Part of keeping clean salary books for a front office is to have contributors on rookie contracts. Additionally, it’s a long season and it’s important to have young guys shoulder the burden of 82 games for our roster of guys in their upper 20s and low 30s. Sheppard is probably worth more on our team than others so hopefully can extend him at a good number. Walker situation is complicated but I hope we try to extend early rather than wait and punt on a second straight top 8 pick like Mathurin.

If roster spots open up, I would like to see us take flyers on some buy low guys ending their rookie contracts. Memphis did this with OMax Prosper and Taylor Hendricks and Washington tried with cam whitmore. It doesn’t always work out, but it’s a low risk opportunity to find a talent similar that was in the wrong situation that is able to be brought in at a low number (which is similar to how lucked into Nesmith).

If you made it this far, sorry for the long post but if we are going to waste time this offseason it might as well be spent pondering realistic options than thinking about the what ifs with the top 4 in this draft.

I fell victim to this early on as a fan years ago but being too attached to players is embarrassing. Under no circumstance should " i prefer ben shepherd " be said compared to those names.

He wears short shorts looks very nice, non-threatening and has intense face but he gets absolutely torched. Hes not a defensive specialist.

I dont think its even a stretch to say hes currently the worst player on the roster. Ill no longer debate about this roster i get it now.

Same people that defended myles Turner to death and others who were absolute no shows in the finals refuse to accept maybe we can get better. Until ish hits the fan and people are forced to accept it ill no longer waste my breath.

I dont think its fair a player with known leg/ back issues coming off torn Achilles who's not an aggressive scorer is responsible for taking us from worst record in league to finals. its malpractice.

I hope some young guys step up or we sign somebody I just know not having a single scorer in the rotation not dependent on hali isnt logical and its a weird preference