The Indiana Pacers’ newest wrinkle starts with Kelly Oubre Jr., but it doesn’t necessarily end with Aaron Nesmith getting bumped from the first five.
Oubre’s arrival in free agency has sparked some noise about a possible lineup shakeup, yet Nesmith still looks like the cleaner fit to hold onto the starting small forward job. The more interesting question is how the Pacers’ 10-man rotation settles once the season starts, and which pieces are truly fixed versus movable.
At point guard, Tyrese Haliburton is the obvious anchor. After missing the last 16 months of action, he’s back to steer the offense and already said he is chimping at the bit for training camp and can't wait to start working with Zubac in pickup games to learn his game better before the season.
Next to him, Andrew Nembhard slides into a role that should let him shine in a different way. Entering his 5th season in the NBA, he’s coming off a strong year of growth with more responsibility, and now he can thrive in a lighter load beside one of the best point guards in the NBA. His job will be twofold: take on the opponent’s top scorer and help as a secondary playmaker while Haliburton spends time off the ball.
Nesmith remains the clear answer at small forward after agreeing to a 2-year $40 million extension last offseason. He gives Indiana exactly what it wants from that spot: defense, chemistry with Haliburton, and a role that doesn’t ask him to do too much. Last season’s expanded workload was a stretch; this year, he should be back where he can be at his best.
Pascal Siakam is the power forward and still one of the engines of the offense, even if he doesn’t have to carry quite as much of the burden with Haliburton back. Coming off an All-Star level season, he’d probably welcome a few fewer stats if they translate into more wins. He remains a prime-aged veteran with another deep playoff run in mind.
The one new face in the starting group is Ivica Zubac at center. Big Zu is stepping into a lineup that already has chemistry, which means the adjustment period matters early.
His value is easy to see: rebounding, rim protection, lob finishing, and underrated passing. Over time, that skill set should fit neatly with the rest of the starters.
The second unit has a different feel, and T.J. McConnell is right in the middle of it.
He’ll do what he always does: organize the bench group and bring relentless pressure. His mid-range jump shot remains one of the most unguardable shots in the NBA, and that constant pace wears teams down.
Kelly Oubre Jr. should be one of the first names off the bench, likely as the 6th or 7th man depending on the night. If Nembhard or Nesmith gets into foul trouble early, he’s the first replacement, and his ability to create his own offense gives Indiana something it doesn’t have much of behind the starters.
Obi Toppin is expected to sit in that same 6th-or-7th-man range. His fit is straightforward: he can space the floor, run the lane in transition, and play either the 4 or the 5. He also has strong synergy with McConnell and the starters around him.
Jarace Walker earned his place after a major step forward last season following a rough start. He’s not just filling minutes; he’s expected to matter in them. That means defending, rebounding, hitting open shots, and making smart decisions with the ball.
Backup center Jay Huff has some proving to do. He said he added 10-15 pounds of muscle this offseason and is working on his shot, both of which matter if he wants to keep the role past the NBA Trade Deadline. He already blocks shots well, but he’ll need to be tougher inside and improve on the 32% he shot from outside last season.
Ben Sheppard is the odd man out for now, listed as a third string shooting guard/small forward and outside the 10-man rotation. Still, he’s the kind of player who stays ready because he always plays his role exactly how the coaching staff asks. That makes him difficult to keep off the floor for long, and while he might begin the season outside the rotation, he could finish in it.
The broader shape of the rotation is likely to stay familiar: Indiana has usually kept one of Siakam or Haliburton on the floor at all times, and that should continue. The bench doesn’t offer much on-ball scoring, so the Pacers will want another starter out there most nights to help carry the offense.
As for the first substitutions, Oubre Jr. and Toppin are the expected early arrivals for Nesmith and Siakam. Around the 4-minute mark, Huff should replace Zubac and McConnell should come in for Nembhard.
Haliburton usually plays the entire first quarter, though that could change if his minutes are being monitored. If not, Walker would be the likely option to start the second quarter.
Carlisle is expected to keep a close eye on minutes across the board and avoid pushing anyone beyond their regular season workload.
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