The Pacers continue turning cast-offs into mainstays
By TYLER SMITH (@TylerSmith_ISL)
ISL Editor
INDIANAPOLIS — There’s an old saying that goes like this: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” If you need proof of that quote being true, just look at the Indiana Pacers.
This franchise has become a destination of growth and development in recent years. Everything changed the minute Tyrese Haliburton walked through the door, and the front office decided to think long-term with a bigger emphasis on the future. And now? We’ve seen multiple cases of players going from one team’s cast-off, to an Indiana mainstay.
Aaron Nesmith. Obi Toppin. Thomas Bryant. Jalen Smith.
Each player wasn’t as valued on their previous teams. In Indiana, they’ve been key pieces for a winning culture.
Former Hoosier legend Thomas Bryant has fit right in, and has given the Pacers some much-needed depth at the Center position. Bryant was averaging 4.1 points on 43/35% shooting with Miami this season. For the Pacers, the high-energy big is averaging 7.1 points on 59/44% splits. The early season injuries to Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman could have easily buried this team over an 82-game schedule. The addition of Bryant has given this team a bigger boost than the numbers can even indicate.
“He really wants to be here,” said Head Coach Rick Carlisle after the trade. “He’s an enthusiastic guy and a skilled guy with a big body. He can help us. He has the ability to stretch the floor and can do damage around the basket. He plays with an energy and a vibe that’s really cool.”
Aaron Nesmith is obviously a guy that needs no introduction at this point. After playing 11 minutes per game for Boston a few years back, the fifth year player has blossomed in Indiana, playing a big role for a team coming off a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Nesmith missed a lot of time this season with an ankle injury, and it’s unclear if he’ll continue to come off the bench or eventually return to a starting role. Either way, “he’s a player every team in the NBA wants,” as Tyrese Haliburton said in the video above. As a Pacer, Nesmith has averaged over 11 points per game, on nearly 50% shooting while bringing an edge on defense the roster has mostly lacked. At first glance, the goal of the Malcolm Brogdon trade was to give the keys to Haliburton. It also gave the Pacers an underrated core player, which became another feather in the cap for this front office.
Obi Toppin is another success story for the Indiana Pacers. Acquired for two future 2nd round picks, Toppin has gone from averaging 7.4 points on 45% shooting with New York, to averaging 10 points on 55% shooting with the Pacers. His ability in transition has fit right in with this high-powered Pacers offense, and it’s another example of one team’s forgotten man becoming a key part of what this team is doing.
Jalen Smith is no longer on this roster, but was also better as a Pacer compared to his other teams. While he’s having a decent year with Chicago this season, his numbers were still better with the blue and gold.
This front office has also identified some great talent later in the draft. Andrew Nembhard might be one of the biggest steals in any draft over the last decade (or longer). Ben Sheppard was selected at #26. And the recent lottery picks of Bennedict Mathurin and Jarace Walker are looking better by the day as well.
Things are shaping up quite nicely for this team as we head towards the stretch run. This franchise has worked hard to put talent on the floor, while building a great culture in the process. It’s nice to know that fans can trust the front office on future acquisitions. If they see something in a player, it’s a great feeling to know you can trust it.
