Pacers Resolutions- 2024
Photo by: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — It’s time for our traditional “Pacers Resolutions” column. Before we dive in and look ahead to 2024, it’s always fun to look back and see what we wrote at this time the last few years. Here was the final paragraph of the 2021 story–
2021- This team has a lot of solid trade targets for other teams. Kevin Pritchard has made some great trades over the years, and it might be time for him to go to work again. If this team could get a top 10 draft pick next season (and hit on the pick), and make a couple of savvy trades, they could find themselves in a much better (and more exciting) position as soon as next season. Let’s put 2021 behind us, and look forward to better days in 2022.
Then, on New Year’s Eve a year ago, we wrote the following:
One way or another, Myles Turner’s future in Indy will finally be “resolved” in 2023. Turner has been involved in trade rumors for years and will continue to be until a trade finally comes to fruition, or until he signs an extension.
And the following about Tyrese Haliburton:
Indiana’s emerging star set some major resolutions for himself coming into this season, and he has delivered. He leads the NBA in assists. He leads all guards in double-doubles. And most importantly, he continues to elevate his teammates and as Rick Carlisle said recently, has “completely changed the trajectory of this franchise.” Sorry, Wally, but Haliburton looks poised to make his first (of many) All-Star appearances in 2023.
And now, we look ahead to 2024. What are the biggest questions and story-lines for the Pacers in the next calendar year? A lot can happen by the time next year’s column drops.
•Tyrese Haliburton– The Pacers don’t just have an All-Star leading their franchise. They have a superstar. I predicted Haliburton would make an All-NBA team this year, and he’s making a strong case. On Saturday night, Haliburton tied the franchise record with 23 assists and became just the third player in NBA history with back-to-back 20+points, 20+assist games. His resolutions- All-NBA, MVP-consideration, leads the Pacers back to the playoffs, and continues his recruiting pitch to other players heading into next season.
•Buddy Hield– It seems like the Pacers always have at least one player with an uncertain future on their roster. Buddy Hield has filled that role for Indy the last few years. After rejecting a 3-year extension from Indiana before this season, it continues to look unlikely that Hield will be back with Indiana next season. But even if that’s the case, will he finish this year wearing a Pacers uniform? The Pacers have undoubtedly discussed Hield with other teams over the last year or more. But to this point, they have valued what he brings to their own team more than the offers that have come their way. One way or another, Hield’s future in Indy will be resolved in 2024.
•DEFENSE– I would prefer to see less of the “Iniana Pacer” comments in 2024. Thankfully, the team has been putting the D back in Indiana as of late, holding their last seven opponents to 126 or less points. With a historically good offense, that’s a good number to shoot for. For the season, the Pacers are 15-5 when holding their opponents to 126 or less. They’ve created an identity on offense- a team that is built for speed, 3-point shooting, and following Haliburton’s lead. In 2024, the need to find their defensive identity, whether with the current roster or with additions.
•Becoming a true contender– The Pacers are 17-14 and currently the No.7-seed in the bunched up Eastern Conference. They finished 2nd out of 30 teams in the In-Season Tournament. They’ve shown flashes of becoming a contender, but don’t quite have the consistency, defense, or rebounding to become a true threat. So, how do they get there in 2024? This team has a lot of talent, a lot of picks, some cap space, and plenty of “optionality” as Kevin Pritchard has stated. Because of those options, Pritchard and the front office will have a ton of difficult decisions to make. Who do you trade? Who do you keep? And when do you strike? Is it before the Trade Deadline? Is it this summer? Or another time? The front office has claimed that the long-term plan is still the most important thing, though the Woj reporting during the IST suggested they were looking to acquire a big name to pair with Haliburton. Ideally, the biggest resolution for the team in ’24 is figuring out their full identity. If they don’t become a legit playoff threat in the ’23/’24 season, what can they do to make that leap in ’24/’25? Because of the groundwork they’ve already laid, becoming a true contender by next season is possible. But they’ll need to hit on those difficult decisions that await them.
Thanks for following our Pacers coverage all season long. Let’s have a great 2024.
Use code ISL15 for a 15% discount at checkout!
