Key Dates and Questions for the Pacers Off-Season
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — Have you ever had a season of life that somehow felt long and quick at the same time? That’s how I’ve felt about this season for the Indiana Pacers. It has been a drag for most of the year, but still feels a little surprising that it’s coming to an end. Just 10 months ago, I was covering a team that was battling for an NBA Championship. The magic of the previous two seasons is still fresh when I take a minute to look around the Fieldhouse. From the NBA Finals to over 60 losses in a flash, we turn the page and look ahead to better days.
Here are the key dates and questions for the off-season:
•Draft Lottery- Sunday, May 10th.
Will it finally happen? Will the Pacers franchise actually get rewarded with the number one pick of an NBA Draft? Will they at least receive a top-four pick, something they’ve had just four times in their NBA history? Lottery night might feel similar to the nerves of a playoff game to many fans for multiple reasons. This is a top-heavy draft with some impact talent in that top-four, AND the Pacers will only get to keep their pick if it lands in that range anyway. A 52.1% chance isn’t as large as you would like, especially after enduring a brutal season with over 60 losses.. but it’s still the highest odds they can get to make it happen.
•NBA Draft- June 25th and 26th.
The Lottery will clearly determine if this will matter as much for the Pacers. Using a pick or multiple picks in trades will always be on the table for this front office as well. Here’s to hoping Draft Night is exciting this time around.
•Decisions, Decisions.
Once the draft positioning becomes known, the Pacers will have a clearer picture of the decisions ahead.
It’s possible this off-season becomes very straightforward: Pacers get a top pick, they select a player, they get healthy, and they maybe look for a bench piece elsewhere. It could be a quieter summer if that scenario holds true. Some teams load up over the summer. The Pacers might just be re-loading.
If other scenarios play out, however, the off-season could end up a lot busier than you might think. Even if the Pacers get their pick, a lot could happen. If they pick at number 3 or 4, they may end up with a player that isn’t the ideal positional fit. If that happens, they could look to trade from within their current group to open up a spot. Most teams select the best player available when they get a high draft pick, instead of worrying about how that player fits the current team. At the same time, the Pacers are about to have a two-year window and it may impact their view on talent vs. fit.
If the Pacers don’t get a top-four pick, they will likely pivot and try to get creative in how they acquire another piece or two for the next run. As mentioned, future picks could be in play.. a few of the non-starters could be in play.. and it remains to be seen how much money is available to bring in a vet/ some scoring off the bench. It’s also possible the Pacers look to acquire a backup center, if they’re not fully sold on the Huff/Potter combo as the main backups to Zubac.
Whether the off-season brings a lot of action or ends up being the quieter type, you can expect this team to bring plenty of noise once October rolls around.
