NBA New Season Team Preview: Pacers – The Rising Power in the East Aims to Rekindle Glory, Haliburton Expected to Continue Explosive Performance

The new season of the NBA is about to begin, and today we introduce you to a young team in the Eastern Conference of the NBA – the Indiana Pacers.

Review of last season:

Under the leadership of young point guard Haliburton, the Pacers, with a lineup of young players, delivered a youthful storm that envied the entire league. In the regular season, the Pacers achieved a record of 47 wins and 35 losses, ranking sixth in the East and directly qualifying for the playoffs. In the playoffs, the Pacers surprisingly eliminated the Bucks, who were missing Giannis Antetokounmpo, in the first round. In the second round, the Pacers defeated the Knicks 4-3 in a thrilling seventh game, advancing to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 20 years. However, they were unable to progress further against the formidable Celtics, being swept 4-0.

Offseason changes:

The Pacers renewed their contracts with Siakam for five years at $190 million, Toppin for $60 million, McConnell for $45 million, and Nembhard for $59 million, all key players from last season. Additionally, the team signed tough player James Johnson on a one-year minimum salary deal. Moreover, Mathurin, who missed all of last season, will return fully fit for the new season. Of course, the team did lose Jalen Smith, who signed with the Bulls.

However, overall, the Pacers not only retained the core group that made it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season but also strengthened their roster. With the continued growth of young players like Haliburton, their experience will only increase. For the Pacers, the addition of players like Siakam and James Johnson has made their roster more balanced in terms of age composition.

Outlook for the new season: Making it to the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Pacers seemed like the biggest dark horse, but this was largely due to their immense energy. Under Carlisle’s guidance, the Pacers’ offense was often ranked first in the league for a long time. In the playoffs, although they faced obstacles against the Celtics, their performance in the previous two rounds was impressive. In the new season, the Pacers need to continue focusing on their offensive strengths. Of course, if the Pacers want to advance further, they need to adjust their weak defense.

In the new season, the Pacers will still revolve around Haliburton, supported by players such as Siakam, Turner, Nembhard, and Nesmith. There is no need to worry about creativity on the offensive end, but the Pacers need to improve their offensive consistency when facing strong teams. Haliburton’s performance is crucial for the team, and whether Siakam can maintain his level after signing a big contract is something to look forward to.

Predicted starting lineup:

Haliburton, Siakam, Turner, Nembhard, Nesmith

Predicted regular season ranking:

4th to 6th in the East