What Will It Take For Pacers To Stay Contenders? Former GM Explains

The Indiana Pacers enter the offseason as championship contenders after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals twice and competing in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. General manager Chad Buchanan stated the team is in the contention mix when healthy, following a roster shift that included acquiring center Ivica Zubac.

Why are the Indiana Pacers considered contenders?

Indiana is the only team to beat the current NBA champions, the New York Knicks, in a series over the last three postseasons. Tyrese Haliburton has not lost a best-of-seven series when he remains healthy, according to team records.

The team reached the Eastern Conference Finals in both 2024 and 2025. One of those runs extended to Game 7 of the NBA Finals on June 13, 2025, against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Did You Know? No NBA team has repeated as champion across the last eight seasons, with only the Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, and Boston Celtics reaching the Finals more than once in that span.

How did the Pacers change their roster?

The Pacers executed a bold trade with the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire center Ivica Zubac. This move followed the departure of former starting center Myles Turner, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks.

What will it take to keep the Indiana Pacers in title contention? Former NBA GM Tommy Sheppard joins

To secure Zubac, Indiana sent multiple players and draft picks to the Clippers. The front office believes Zubac can serve as the starting center throughout the team’s current contending window.

Former Washington Wizards president Tommy Sheppard noted that such moves require total alignment between the front office and coaching staff. He highlighted the working relationship between President Kevin Pritchard, Chad Buchanan, and head coach Rick Carlisle.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter suggests that the Pacers’ success depends on their ability to pivot when a system fails. By mirroring the New York Knicks’ willingness to trade All-Stars or change coaching, Indiana may find the flexibility needed to sustain its position at the top of the Eastern Conference.

What obstacles could the Pacers face in 2026-27?

The Pacers may face significant challenges from the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. Additionally, the Cleveland Cavaliers recently reached the Eastern Conference Finals, and the Detroit Pistons are ascending, according to Sheppard.

Sheppard observed that the NBA is a “copycat league” where teams shift strategies, such as moving from “small ball” back to utilizing larger players. The Pacers’ ability to execute their own system at a high level will be critical.

A possible next step for the organization involves re-signing current players now that the NBA Finals have concluded. This process is central to the team’s goal of returning to the 2025 performance level for the 2026-27 season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the Pacers’ projected starting lineup?
The projected lineup includes Tyrese Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac.

How did the Pacers acquire Ivica Zubac?
The Pacers traded multiple draft picks and players to the Los Angeles Clippers to acquire Zubac after Myles Turner left for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Which team is the current NBA champion?
The New York Knicks are the current NBA champions.

Do you believe front-office alignment is more important than star power for sustaining a championship window?