The Indiana Pacers can line up the assets for a big swing. That part is not the problem.
With three movable first-round picks, usable money in the contracts of Obi Toppin, TJ McConnell, and Jarace Walker, and a front office that has worked the trade market well for the past decade, Indiana has the pieces to chase a meaningful addition. The harder part is finding the right kind of player - someone good enough to justify the package, but also willing to slide into the Pacers’ selfless structure.
That’s the real filter here, and it explains why the team was so aggressive in pursuing Kelly Oubre Jr. Indiana viewed him as a possible three-and-D wing with some creation juice and a nonstop defensive motor, even with questions about how his numbers have historically lined up alongside stars.
Andrew Nembhard is the clearest example of what the Pacers are looking for.
A second-round pick out of Gonzaga, Nembhard became a key piece for a team that reached the Finals because he could play alongside Tyrese Haliburton without needing the ball all the time. He could score when asked, then disappear into the background when the offense needed to flow through someone else. That flexibility is a big reason he moved up the rotation so fast.
And really, that’s the point. If Indiana is going to make a major move, the player has to be able to do what Nembhard does: shift from lead guard to complementary guard, from primary option to supporting piece, depending on what the game asks for.
What stands out most about Nembhard is not just the shooting or the defense or even the shoulder bump. It’s the mindset. He can toggle between on-ball and off-ball work almost instantly, and that makes him useful in a system that asks everyone to fit together.
Haliburton sets that tone. He looks every bit like a heliocentric creator, but he has never pushed his usage into that kind of statistical territory. His production comes in the flow of the team, not outside it.
That creates the template for any trade target. Could Trey Murphy III accept a role as a glorified spot-up shooter for 20 minutes a night after being the top offensive option for the past two seasons? Would Ty Jerome be willing to return to the low-usage role he played with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the one that helped get him paid?
There are good players out there. Indiana just needs the ones who can thrive in a setup that demands so much from everyone who steps into it. That’s why the search is so difficult, even with the tools to make a deal.
In Other News...
Pacers Fan Jam Put Early Pressure On One Camp Battle
The Pacers annual Fan Jam gave supporters their first real look at a roster still taking shape, and the sold-out crowd got more than a run-of-the-mill workout. The centerpiece was a 12-minute intrasquad scrimmage that split training camp into White and Blue, turning an early October showcase into a meaningful first snapshot of how the competition is developing.
Along with the on-court action, the night also leaned into the lighter side of camp, with rookies Braden Smith, Rienk Mast and Keba Keita taking part in a sing-and-dance-off that kept the building buzzing. But for all the fun, the scrimmage still mattered most, because every possession offered fans a glimpse of which players are starting to separate themselves before the real battles of camp settle in. [Read more 🡒]
Tyrese Haliburton Just Gave Pacers Fans The Sign They Needed
Tyrese Haliburton was right there with the Pacers starters at FanJam, and for a team still carrying the memory of his torn Achilles from June, that alone counted as a meaningful checkpoint. The annual scrimmage gave Indiana fans their first real look at how the group is beginning to come together again, with the new additions around him and the expected starting lineup starting to take shape as preseason and the regular season inch closer in October.
Haliburton said he feels confident in his health and in where he stands heading into the season, which is exactly the kind of update Pacers supporters wanted to hear after months of uncertainty. There is still a long runway before the games matter for real, but his presence with the starters suggested the comeback process is moving in the right direction, and that is a significant sign for a team trying to build around him again. [Read more 🡒]
Braden Smith Just Gave Pacers Fans Another Reason To Be Excited
Braden Smith gave Pacers fans a lighthearted glimpse of his personality at FanJam, winning the teams Rookie Show at Gainbridge Fieldhouse by singing Keshas Die Young in front of the home crowd. The event featured the rest of Indianas rookies and was emceed by Tyrese Haliburton, turning what is usually a fun preseason stop into one more chance for the Pacers to see how the newest faces fit into the room.
For Smith, the moment added another layer to a profile that has already made him interesting around the organization. The undrafted rookie arrived on a two-way contract after a notable college career at Purdue, and he has already drawn praise from Pacers staff for what he brings on and off the floor. Nights like this do not decide a players future, but they can help a young guard make a fast impression in a building that has already started paying attention. [Read more 🡒]