The Indiana Pacers are in a tailspin - and it’s not just the kind you ride out. It’s the kind that forces a front office to ask hard questions and make even harder decisions.
The season hasn’t just gone sideways; it’s gone off the rails. But the bigger question isn’t about this year.
It’s about what comes next - and whether Indiana chooses to act now to set the table for a bounce-back in 2025.
Let’s start with the obvious: Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles injury was a gut punch. He’s the engine of this team, the pace-setter, the playmaker, and without him, the Pacers have lost their identity.
Add to that a brutal stretch of injuries across the roster, and it’s no surprise Indiana’s been forced to roll out 25 different starting lineups already - a staggering number compared to the 18 they used all of last season. That kind of instability doesn’t just hurt chemistry; it wrecks any chance of building momentum.
The result? A record that’s trending toward historic lows for the franchise - and not the kind you want to be remembered for.
But here’s where things get interesting: this doesn’t have to be a fire sale. Haliburton is expected back next season.
The core pieces of a potential 2025 playoff run - maybe even a Finals push - are already under contract. So rather than tearing it all down, Indiana has a chance to recalibrate.
Think of it less like a rebuild and more like a mid-course correction.
And that correction starts in the paint.
Losing Myles Turner in free agency left a massive void in the middle, and it’s shown up in all the wrong places. The Pacers have plummeted near the bottom of the league in offensive rebounding, second-chance points, and points in the paint.
That’s not just a statistical dip - it’s a structural flaw. For a team that wants to play fast and space the floor, having a reliable presence inside is non-negotiable.
Right now, they simply don’t have it.
If Indiana wants to get ahead of the curve - and avoid wasting another season of Haliburton’s prime - it makes sense to address the center position now, before the trade deadline. Not for a miracle playoff run this year, but to give this roster the balance it needs heading into next season.
Think of what the Raptors did last year with Brandon Ingram: they were 18-34 when they made the move, but it wasn’t about chasing the play-in. It was about locking in a long-term piece and stabilizing the roster.
That’s the kind of forward-thinking Indiana should be exploring.
It’s also worth noting: recent history is full of cautionary tales. Since 2019, teams like Cleveland, Golden State, and Dallas have all made it to the Finals, only to miss the playoffs the very next year.
The drop-off can be steep, and the climb back up isn’t guaranteed. The Pacers are staring down that same kind of cliff.
The difference will be in how they respond.
This season might be slipping away, but it doesn’t have to be a lost cause. With the right moves now - especially in the frontcourt - Indiana can turn this rough stretch into a pivot point.
The window isn’t closed. But it won’t stay open forever.