Pacers Season Preview: Questions and Predictions
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — It’s hard to believe another NBA season has already arrived. After taking us on the ride of a lifetime last year, the Indiana Pacers are back in action and they’ll attempt to prove themselves all over again. It will be different without Tyrese Haliburton and Myles Turner in the starting lineup, but the challenge ahead will certainly make it an interesting year for the blue and gold. Here are the main questions facing the franchise as the season kicks off on Thursday night:
•How will the Center position shake out?
Myles Turner plays for Milwaukee, and two of the centers on this roster are coming off an Achilles injury. There’s plenty of talent at the position, but it won’t be surprising if it takes some time for the production to match. Jay Huff brings some of the abilities that Turner possessed, and there’s no denying the potential that Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman bring to the table. How it all comes together, however, is a different animal. As I’ve stated before, I do see a world where the 48-minute production at the position could end up being comparable to last season, since the backup minutes weren’t great a year ago. Maybe the picture becomes clearer sooner than we think at the five, but it there’s a good chance it will take some patience before it sorts itself out. If even one of the centers proves themselves to be worthy of a future role with the team, I’d consider it a win.
•Is it time for Mathurin and Walker to shine?
This is clearly a huge season for the Pacers’ two recent lottery picks. Bennedict Mathurin is now in a contract year, and will be getting the chance to start. I won’t be surprised if he leads the Pacers in scoring and puts together a monster season. Regardless of how he plays, there will be questions about his future with the team. He could become a trade chip later this year, or he could play so well that he ends up pricing himself out of the team’s comfort zone for this next contract. If he’s still here by next summer, the Pacers will have the ability to match all offers and keep him around, but will they be willing to do so? Either way, it’s time to unleash the beast and see what he can do with starters minutes.
As for Jarace Walker, the playing time and opportunity should increase. Even if Walker continues to be inconsistent, this is the year to let him play and figure out if he’s part of your future or not. The Pacers hope to improve defensively this season, and Walker could be part of that process if he can lock in and develop with this opportunity ahead.
•Who’s on point?
The Pacers are still in good hands at the starting point guard position with Andrew Nembhard taking the lead. The depth, however, is a major question mark. TJ McConnell is going to miss at least a month. Rookie Kam Jones is also injured to start the season. And Rick Carlisle has already stated the Pacers “can’t play Nembhard into oblivion.” With this new role, it’s unclear how it will impact Nembhard’s typical defensive role, and the lack of a true backup point guard for a while will also make things interesting. The Pacers will be in a bit of survival mode and may have to get creative in the first month.
•Will it be a closer by committee?
Maybe I’m still in baseball mode, but I can’t help but wonder if the Pacers will have one true closer, or if it will be a committee to try and close games late. Pascal Siakam is the obvious choice to get the ball with the game on the line, but there are others who are fully capable. Bennedict Mathurin actually led the Pacers in 4th quarter points last season, and that’s when his minutes were inconsistent. I expect Mathurin to knock down some game winners this year, while Aaron Nesmith and Andrew Nembhard will have their fair share of big moments as well.
Prediction: I’ve been perfect the last two seasons when predicting the Pacers overall seed (6th in 23-24 and 4th in 24-25). This year, it’s been difficult landing on a final prediction. There are a lot of questions, and a lot of variables to consider for this team. But there’s also a lot of pride, and a lot of players that still have something to prove. With that in mind, I think this will be a Playoff team. They have the ability to prove a lot of people wrong, but things could also take a negative turn coming off of the high of last season, and if injuries continue to pile up.
Official prediction: The Pacers will end up as the No. 7-seed, and they’ll become an uncomfortable match-up for the 2-seed come Playoff time.
Thanks for following along for another season. Let’s get the party started.
