Are the Pacers so strong all of a sudden? 4 deals and 3 drafts, 1 person s return is the most important

The Indiana Pacers are the dark horses of the playoffs this season. After the gentlemen swept the Bucks in the first round, they swept the Knights in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers who won 60+ games in the regular season to the gentlemen. But the Pacers are not so strong all of a sudden. They have successfully built major rotations and their own systems through trading and drafts in recent years. Let’s take a look at how they operated over the years!

1. Transaction

1. Halliburton

In February 2022, the Pacers sent Sabonis Jr., Justin Holiday and Lamb to exchange for Halliburton, Buddy Hilde and Tristan Thompson. The Kings wanted to build a team around Fox and Sabonis at the time, and the Pacers took Halliburton's potential and regarded it as the core of the future.

2. Siakam

In January 2024, the Pacers sent Bruce Brown, Jordan Walla and three first-round picks, and the Pelicans sent Kira Lewis Jr. to the Raptors as a third party, and the Pacers won Siakam. The Raptors entered the reconstruction period, and Siakam refused to renew his contract for 125 million yuan for three years. The Pacers hope to create a championship lineup deal for Halliburton.

3.NeSmith

In July 2022, the Pacers sent Brogdon to exchange for Nesmith, Theis and the 2023 first-round pick. In October 2023, he signed a four-year, $33 million contract renewal with Nesmith.

4.Obi-Toping

In July 2023, the Pacers sent two second round picks and got Tooping. Topin was traded in the Knicks for being incompatible with Thibodeau’s defensive system, and the Pacers valued his athleticism and offensive potential. In the 2024 offseason, Toppin signed a four-year, $60 million contract renewal with the Pacers.

2. Free signing

T.J. McConnell

In July 2019, McConnell joined the Pacers as a free agent. In August 2024, we reached a four-year, US$45 million early renewal with the Pacers.

3, Draft

1. Turner

The 11th pick in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft was selected by the Pacers and has been playing for it until now. Turner is a center that the Pacers have been trained for a long time. He has been involved in trade rumors many times, but eventually stayed in the team.

2. Nembhard

The 31st pick in the second round of the 2022 NBA draft was selected by the Pacers, and in July 2024, he reached a three-year, $59 million early contract renewal with the Pacers.

3. Mathering

The 6th pick in the first round of the 2022 NBA Draft was selected by the Pacers. The Pacers value his scoring ability and are still in the growth stage and are in the sixth man role.

4. Return

Carlisle

In June 2021, after Carlisle resigned from the Dallas Mavericks, he signed a four-year, $29 million contract with the Pacers, coaching the Pacers for the third time.

Carlisle served as the Pacers assistant coach from 1997 to 2000 (Bird period), served as the Pacers head coach for the first time from 2003 to 2007, and returned in 2021. He is known for his rigorous tactics. In recent years, he has adjusted his style to adapt to modern basketball and is a master of offense and defense tactics. In the Pacers who lack absolute superstars, Carlisle's return to build a mature offensive system is the key to the Pacers' entry into the Eastern Conference Finals for two consecutive years.