Pre-Draft Outlook
If this were a “Pre-Draft Lottery Outlook,” the Pacers’ situation would look a lot brighter than it is post-lottery. Indiana accepted its gap year reality, with lead guard Tyrese Haliburton rehabbing from his Achilles rupture. The Pacers took their lumps, played hard most of the time, developed their roster along the way and set themselves up for a top pick. Except for the limited pick-protection they attached to the one they dealt to the Clippers in Indiana’s trade for center Ivica Zubac. When the lottery delivered the No. 5 pick, it went to L.A., foiling the Pacers’ plan of landing a top talent as a piece for next season’s contender.
The Way to Go
Barring a deal to get back into the draft, the Pacers will sit out the big talent round-up and focus on Haliburton’s return, internal maturation and other ways to tweak the roster heading toward training camp.
— Steve Aschburner
Under Contract
G: Johnny Furphy
G: Tyrese Haliburton
G: Quenton Jackson
G: Kam Jones
G: T.J. McConnell
G: Andrew Nembhard
G: Ben Sheppard
G/F: Aaron Nesmith
F: Pascal Siakam
F: Obi Toppin
F: Jarace Walker
C: Jay Huff
C: Ivica Zubac
Free agents
F: Kobe Brown
F: Jalen Slawson
C/F: Micah Potter