Pacers opt for continuity over change this offseason

With the NBA offseason concluding and training camps starting in less than a month, the final regular-season rosters for each team are beginning to take shape.

A comparison of this year's rosters, rotations and coaching staffs to those from last season reveals that most playoff teams have made significant changes. Notable moves include the Philadelphia 76ers signing Paul George, the New York Knicks trading for Mikal Bridges and the Orlando Magic acquiring Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

However, one team that has chosen to stay relatively put is the Indiana Pacers. Aside from a draft-day trade involving only picks to acquire Johnny Furphy and the signing of James Wiseman to a minimum contract, the Pacers have retained most of their rotation from last year, with the only notable departures being underperforming sharpshooter Doug McDermott, backup big man Jalen Smith and two-way power forward Oscar Tshiebwe, all of whom were out of the rotation by the end of the season.

Rather than pursuing high-profile acquisitions, Indiana opted to secure its current core for the long term by re-signing Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin and extending the contracts of T.J. McConnell and Andrew Nembhard. Except for Bennedict Mathurin and Myles Turner, who is likely to be re-signed next summer, the Pacers’ core is locked in until 2027 at the least.

The Pacers' decision to run it back and rely on internal growth and development is not surprising, as Indiana has a reputation for being conservative with their roster, both at the trade deadline and during the offseason. Additionally, it felt like its midseason acquisition of Siakam didn't fully pay dividends due to Tyrese Haliburton's play dropping off after his hamstring injury and Mathurin's labrum tear in March, which sidelined him for the entirety of the playoffs.

Additionally, the new salary-cap rules and the introduction of the dreaded second apron have made teams more cautious with their spending. The traditionally frugal Pacers see little reason to risk crossing the second apron threshold now.

These recent contract extensions might also be setting the stage for a possible consolidation trade as the February trade deadline approaches. However, if the Pacers choose to keep their entire core intact and re-sign Turner while extending Mathurin, they will likely exceed the luxury tax threshold for the first time since 2006. Nonetheless, if maintaining the team that reached an unexpected Conference Finals berth is the cost, the Pacers seem willing to pay it.

Team chemistry within the Pacers appears to be at an all-time high. Events like the entire team traveling to Las Vegas for Team USA’s showcase games ahead of the Olympics and Siakam hosting a summer training session with his teammates suggest this could be the most cohesive Indiana team in years.

While many of the top teams in the Eastern Conference made bold, risky moves this offseason, the Pacers chose a different path. They remained relatively inactive, focusing on internal growth and leveraging their existing team chemistry.

With a full summer of preparation, a training camp to integrate Siakam, and Haliburton and Mathurin returning from injuries, the Pacers have significant potential for the upcoming season. No longer content with being just a “League Pass team” overlooked in favor of larger markets, the Pacers are poised to make a serious impact in the 2024-25 season.