The s are poised to return as NBA championship contenders after a one-year hiatus following s. However Haliburton is about to make his long-awaited comeback to begin the 2026-27 season, and the Pacers are a number one candidate to make a dramatic soar within the standings.
Haliburton may have a brand new middle to play with after e and principally stored him beneath wraps because the franchise selected to place itself for a lottery decide. d; the choice fell simply exterior the top-four protected vary and the No. 5 decide was conveyed to the s.
The Pacers ought to nonetheless be within the playoff combine once more, with a lot of the core that o nonetheless intact. If Haliburton is wholesome sufficient to as soon as once more be one of many NBA's finest playmakers, Indiana will shortly re-emerge as a title risk.
Right here's a breakdown of the s' offseason strikes and what to anticipate from them heading into the 2026-27 NBA season:
Indiana Pacers offseason assessment
- Document final season: 19-63 (14th in Jap Convention)
- Playoff end: Didn’t qualify
- Coach: Rick Carlisle, sixth season
- 2026-27 title odds: +6600 (per BetMGM)
- d: 53-29
- e: C
Key roster additions
- F Kelly Oubre Jr.
- F Larry Nance Jr.
Key roster losses
- G Kam Jones (commerce)
- C Micah Potter (waived)
Greatest query coming into coaching camp
Can Tyrese Haliburton return to all-NBA type?
- Haliburton missed your entire 2025-26 season rehabbing from an Achilles harm and likewise handled y. He gave the impression to be on the peak of his powers earlier than getting harm, hitting game-winning photographs and orchestrating Indiana's high-powered offense all through its run to the 2025 NBA Finals. n and Haliburton's numerous ability set present causes for optimism, however final season solely bolstered that the Pacers are relying on him to stay a franchise star. Indiana's roster is constructed round Haliburton's potential to create photographs for himself, and his potential to bounce again from harm will decide this group's outlook.
Projected beginning lineup and rotation
Starters
- G Tyrese Haliburton
- G Andrew Nembhard
- F Aaron Nesmith
- F Pascal Siakam
- C Ivica Zubac
Rotation gamers
- G T.J. McConnell
- G Ben Sheppard
- F Kelly Oubre Jr.
- F Jarace Walker
- F Obi Tobbin
- F Larry Nance Jr.
- C Jay Huff
What to anticipate in 2026-27 season
No one within the NBA ought to enhance their file greater than the Pacers this season, even when Haliburton isn't fairly what he as soon as was in his first yr getting back from a significant Achilles harm. That's how sturdy the mix of Pascal Siakam and Zubac might be within the frontcourt and the way a lot the group's file suffered whereas tanking in Haliburton's absence. However Haliburton's re-emergence as a star is the important thing to this group separating itself from the opposite Jap Convention contenders making an attempt to problem the Knicks this season.
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