The Pacers need to stay healthy and strike a balance between offense and defense that allows them to make a deeper run in the postseason.
Pascal Siakam (UFA)
Obi Toppin (RFA)
Next season’s goal
Stay healthy and strike a balance between offense and defense that allows the Pacers to make a deeper run in the postseason.
What can move the fantasy needle
Despite a disappointing end to their surprise postseason run after being swept by the Celtics, the Pacers have a promising future, spearheaded by Haliburton. Indiana's offense ranked in the top three in pace and total possessions, indicating a strong potential for generating fantasy points. Haliburton delivered first-round value for fantasy managers as one of the few players capable of leading the league in assists and scoring over 20 points per game.
Though Turner didn't reach his ADP, he finished in the top 60 for the seventh consecutive season. He remains one of the most consistent big men in fantasy, and hopefully we'll see his blocks creep back over two going forward.
The move to acquire Siakam at the deadline worked out, as the Pacers upset the battered Bucks in the first round and then outlasted the Knicks before falling to the Celtics. Siakam looked great in that opening series and at other moments in the postseason run. He's an unrestricted free agent this summer, so his decision to return could dramatically reshape the Pacers' future.
The rest of the roster is set to become a fascinating focus area. Andrew Nembhard's exceptional performance in the Eastern Conference finals should give him the upper hand over Ben Sheppard at shooting guard, but with Rick Carlisle's fluid rotations, nothing is set in stone.
Mathurin's progress was not as significant as expected, despite being drafted in 98% of Yahoo leagues. However, his absence, plus the Hield trade, created an opportunity for Aaron Nesmith to shine, and he didn't disappoint. Nesmith's impressive efficiency, defensive skills and exceptional 3-point shooting have positioned him as a key player in the starting five moving forward and worthy of a late-round pick in drafts.
If the Pacers decide to move on from Toppin (a restricted free agent), keep a close eye on Jarace Walker. Indiana is flush with depth and young talent, so it wouldn't surprise me to see T.J. McConnell, Sheppard and Isaiah Jackson become fantasy assets sometime next season. — Dan Titus
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