The Pacers still have plenty of shooting on the roster, but they do not have the kind of bench spark that can walk into a game, catch fire, and flip the mood of the night in a hurry. That’s why Jordan Hawkins has become a name worth watching after the Grizzlies waived him.
Hawkins, who came out of New Orleans as a former UConn guard, flashed as a rookie with a reputation as a shooting specialist. He spent months getting quality looks and knocking them down, enough for the Pelicans to hope he and Trey Murphy III could stretch the floor for Zion Williamson and Derik Queen.
Murphy held up his end. Hawkins did not.
His game tailed off badly after that, to the point where he became unplayable and was eventually sent to Memphis. Now he’s a free agent, and the path forward is anything but certain.
That said, the Pacers have built a reputation for helping players find their footing again, and this is the kind of low-risk swing that fits them. Their offense could still use a true shooting specialist, even with Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Tyrese Haliburton already in the mix.
The issue isn’t a lack of shooters overall. It’s the lack of a bench piece who can check in and suddenly swing a playoff game with a burst of threes.
That kind of role has long been a weapon for teams like the Miami Heat, who found ways to turn players such as Duncan Robinson, rookie Tyler Herro, Gabe Vincent, and Caleb Martin into momentum-shifting threats in the postseason. The Pacers don’t have that kind of surprise weapon right now, and that makes the search worthwhile.
Hawkins is far from the ideal answer. There’s a reason his career cratered, and there’s a reason a rebuilding team like Memphis moved on. But he does bring one thing the Pacers would appreciate: he’s cheap.
Even a non-guaranteed Exhibit 10 deal would give Indiana a chance to take a look. It would be a short-term, no-frills opportunity to see whether Hawkins can fit the system, rebuild some confidence, and rediscover the shot that once made him a fringe lottery pick.
In Other News...
Tyrese Haliburton Gives Pacers Fans One Huge Reason To Watch Tonight
The Pacers finally get a real look at their new starting group tonight when they open preseason against the Timberwolves, and there is plenty of curiosity baked into the matchup. For Indiana, this is the first chance to see the lineup tested against another team after camp work, with the game offering an early read on how the pieces fit as the season approaches. Minnesota brings its own intrigue after an active offseason, so this is not just a tune-up for the Pacers but a first glimpse at where they stand.
Tyrese Haliburtons return from injury is the biggest reason Indiana fans will be paying attention, since his presence changes the tone of the entire operation. His availability gives the Pacers a centerpiece to build around again, and tonight should offer a useful look at how he moves with the new starting five around him. There are still plenty of questions left to answer, but this game at least starts to sketch out what Indiana can be once the games begin to count. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Championship Hopes May Come Down To One Deadline Decision
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What happens next may hinge less on opening night than on February. With the Eastern Conference getting tougher and Indianas current core still needing help around Haliburton, the organization is expected to keep its powder dry for the 2027 trade deadline, when the right move could determine whether this season becomes a step forward or just another year of waiting on the edge of contention. [Read more 🡒]
Pacers Preseason Opener Will Reveal Something Bigger Than The Score
The first preseason game will give the Pacers their initial live look at how this group is coming together, but it will not settle the biggest questions hanging over camp. Tyrese Haliburtons Achilles recovery remains a storyline worth monitoring, and the arrival of new faces such as Kelly Oubre Jr. and Ivica Zubac adds another layer to watch as Indiana starts sorting out rotations and roles.
What matters most early on is less about the final score and more about whether the group looks connected. For a team trying to build momentum for the season ahead, chemistry and morale can matter just as much as any box score detail, and this opener should offer at least a first glimpse of how well the Pacers are building that foundation. [Read more 🡒]