From: Matt Kryger
The Indiana Pacers just missed the Play-In Tournament last year, finishing eleventh in the Eastern Conference. Tyrese Haliburton was one of the breakout stars of the 2022-2023 season. Their rookie class impressed the league, as Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin both shocked NBA media. With all of the positives Indiana had last year, their over under win total for next year is 36.5 (DraftKings). I'm here to tell you why that bet is going to be an easy over, and how the Indiana Pacers will make the 2023-2024 NBA Playoffs.
From: Dylan Buell (Getty Images)
The Pacers' young core is one of the most exciting in basketball. Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, and Bennedict Mathurin combine to create a dynamic backcourt that can do a lot of things. Haliburton has blossomed into one of the premier playmakers in basketball, and it earned him a max extension this off-season. The first year All-Star averaged 20.7 PPG and 10.4 APG while shooting 40% from three.
While Nembhard's offensive numbers do not look great on paper, his 2.7 assist to turnover ratio proves his value as a bench playmaker. The former Gonzaga and Florida point guard provides a high floor for a second unit that struggled to generate offense at times. Bennedict Mathurin brought the electrifying athleticism and charisma that he showed off at Arizona, and it led to him being named to an All-Rookie team. Mathurin is just the type of player Indiana needed, bringing a flamethrower type attitude to a team who is filled with safe and reliable playmakers.
Indiana added to that young core in this year's draft by selecting pieces that fit in seamlessly with the rest of their roster. They selected Jarace Walker with the eighth overall pick, a hyper-athletic forward out of Houston. Walker can do a little bit of everything, and at 6' 8" 235 pounds, the Pacers should expect for him to settle in quite quickly. Indiana was dead last in defensive rebounding percentage last year. A big body like Walker will help Myles Turner on the glass. The other draft selections are not going to be asked to contribute much right away.
From: Jack Dempsey (AP Photo)
With a young team, you tend to have a good amount of cap space in the off-season. The Pacers looked to preserve some space while still signing players that can help them win next year. Their marquee signing in Free Agency was Bruce Brown. Brown signed a 2 year, 45 million dollar deal with a team option on the second year. Bruce Brown adds a level of defensive versatility that was not there last year. Brown will look to give Haliburton some relief defensively so he can focus on his elite playmaking.
Indy has also retained savvy veterans for all of this young talent to learn from. Bruce Brown is not the only experienced player that can help this team. While Myles Turner's name has been floated in trade talks for what seems like forever, the long time Pacer center is back for yet another year. Turner is a great floor spacing center who also can protect the rim at a decent level. Buddy Hield has been one of the best shooters in the league since he's gotten to Indianapolis. The Pacers will want Hield to shoot at an elite level to open up the lane for slashers like Mathurin to attack.
From: Trevor Ruszkowski (USA TODAY Sports)
The Indiana Pacers were top five in both pace and assist percentage last year. They like to run and gun while sharing the ball. The roster was bleak around their young core last year, but with another good draft and a solid off-season, Indy is looking to make some waves next year. A potential starting lineup of Tyrese Haliburton, Bennedict Mathurin, Buddy Hield, Bruce Brown, and Myles Turner is a dangerous one in the East. I think the Indiana Pacers make the playoffs next year, and also soar over their 36.5 win total.