The Indiana Pacers didn’t spend the summer making noise, and that’s exactly why their offseason deserves a fairer look.
In a conference where Jaylen Brown was traded to a rival, LeBron James came over from the West, and Giannis Antetokounmpo helped create what may be the best defensive pairing in the league, Indiana’s additions - Larry Nance Jr. and Kelly Oubre Jr. - won’t exactly light up the imagination.
That’s the reality. But it’s not the whole story.
For a team working with only minutes off the bench and about $20 million under the first apron, the Pacers came away with one player who can step into the rotation right away and another who gives them a change-of-pace big man. In that sense, they did what they could with what they had.
That doesn’t make the summer flashy. It does make it sensible.
The Pacers entered this stretch with a major issue at center and a bench that needed to do more than survive. They came out of it with a stronger look at center and a second unit that still has plenty on its plate. That’s not a dramatic overhaul, but it is an upgrade in the areas that mattered most.
There’s also something to be said for Indiana not forcing a bigger swing just to look busy. Their three most aggressive moves in recent memory all turned into lopsided wins for the Pacers, so there’s no obvious reason to chase action for its own sake now.
And yet, the league keeps proving that big swings don’t always land cleanly. The Miami Heat, despite landing a top-five player in the league, still aren’t viewed as contenders. Their move, which could be the second-most aggressive in franchise history behind only the Shaquille O’Neal deal, is undercut by a lack of depth.
So what should a team like Indiana do when it’s trying to set up a competent bounce back? Burn through money or assets before seeing how a core that has played zero games together actually fits?
That kind of approach might satisfy the urge for excitement. It doesn’t necessarily satisfy the basketball.
Oubre’s arrival gives the Pacers a seventh man off the bench, and that’s a useful piece to have. Beyond that, the real growth here has to come from two places: Tyrese Haliburton’s return and the health of the rotation.
There isn’t much else to chase externally. Outside of signing LeBron James, which would have been an incredible move for both the player and the team, there wasn’t a free agent out there who clearly changes Indiana’s outlook.
So this offseason becomes a bet. If the internal improvement shows up, the Pacers will look smart for staying patient. If it doesn’t, they could be staring at another lottery season next year without their pick to use in a trade for an established talent.
That’s the risk built into a quiet summer.
It’s fair to say there isn’t a ton of sizzle in two middling signings. But the season won’t be decided by the summer headlines anyway.
In Other News...
Pacers Bring Back A Familiar Name With One Big Catch
Kobe Brown is back in the Pacers orbit after a first stint in Indiana that gave the organization a closer look at what he can do in its system. The move keeps a familiar face in the mix as the team continues sorting through its offseason roster, and it comes with the kind of flexibility that often defines this time of year for a contender trying to balance development and depth.
Brown said the return was an easy call because of how well he fit and how much he enjoyed his time with the Pacers. For Indiana, the appeal is obvious too: a player who already knows the environment, understands the expectations and can slide back into a role without much ramp-up, even as the broader offseason picture keeps shifting around him. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Still Havent Solved Their Most Frustrating Roster Decision
The Pacers have mostly wrapped up their offseason business, but one of the last decisions on the board is still hanging over the roster: what to do with second-round pick Braden Smith and the final open spot. Indiana moved up to get Smith, so the delay carries a little more weight than a typical end-of-roster debate, especially with the team trying to settle its guard depth and keep the back end of the roster flexible.
Smiths uneven showing in Las Vegas only added to the uncertainty, and it has left the Pacers weighing a few different paths. They could look outside for another free agent, leave the spot open for later, or still circle back and sign Smith once the rest of the roster picture becomes clearer. For now, the decision remains one of the few unresolved pieces of an otherwise busy summer. [Read more 🡒]