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Indiana Pacers: Rebuild or reload?

By Adrian Lawhorn

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Victor Oladipo #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball against Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter of the game on April 11, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - APRIL 11: Victor Oladipo #5 of the Oklahoma City Thunder dribbles the ball against Shabazz Muhammad #15 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter of the game on April 11, 2017 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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After trading All-Star forward Paul George, is it better for the Indiana Pacers to enter into a full rebuild, or simply reload the roster in order to remain competitive?

Once it was clear that the Indiana Pacers were moving in a new direction after sending Paul George to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the debate among fans ensued.

Should the team commit to a total rebuild, or would it be better to reload the roster in an attempt to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference?

Initially, many people assumed that dealing George meant the Pacers were going to begin an all-out tanking operation in order to earn high draft picks for the next few seasons.

Not only was that expected by many observers, it was also the most popular choice among fans as the Paul George deal was made and NBA free agency began on July 1.

However, it became clear just a few days into free agency that Indiana’s brain trust has a different vision for the franchise.

The Pacers are not going to tear the roster down and rebuild, but rather, reload with mostly younger guys who are already good players, but also have the potential to grow.

Indiana was never going to tank, for the reasons stated here. Kevin Pritchard and Herb Simon looked at all possible angles, but trying to put a quality product on the floor was always going to win out in the end.

Once it was evident that the Pacers were going to reload the roster rather than rebuild, something interesting happened: the fanbase warmed up to the idea.

Many of those who initially called for a total rebuild are now expressing enthusiasm regarding the team’s new direction.

Kevin Pritchard wants to build a roster based around players who are team-first guys who play hard and with passion. He also wants younger players who have talent, but haven’t yet had the opportunity to fully blossom as NBA performers.

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It’s almost as if Pacers fans have gone through the stages of grief in the wake of the Paul George fiasco, and they have now reached a point of acceptance and hope.

Everyone now understands what Indiana is trying to do; negativity and uncertainty are being replaced by optimism — and dare we say it — excitement.

The 2017-18 Indiana Pacers may not be as talented as the previous year’s team, but they should be a group who plays hard and plays together.

The new-look Pacers are also younger and have more room for growth, both individually and as a unit.

Fans are now embracing this, stating that recent Pacers teams had gotten away from the core values that Indiana basketball fans deem important.

Some people believe that the only way for a small market team to compete for a championship is to go to the very bottom, then draft at or near the top for several years to (hopefully) build a multi-star roster.

Even if the Indiana Pacers followed that blueprint, it is not very likely that they would ever ascend to the caliber of an NBA championship contender.

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The route being taken is perhaps even less likely to result in an NBA title, but there is something to be said for fielding good teams over a long period of time — which Indiana has done.

Most fans now seem to be getting behind Kevin Pritchard and the 2017-18 Indiana Pacers, and the reasons for this are clear.

The guys who are now part of this team are easy to root for because of their work ethic, attitude and developing talent.

Furthermore, the potential for growth this team offers gives hope to a fanbase that has had a difficult time finding reasons to be enthusiastic about the Pacers in recent years.

Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far

There still may be those who feel Indiana should have intentionally bottomed out after the Paul George trade, but there is plenty of early evidence that Kevin Pritchard’s philosophy is going to work out well for the franchise, as well as its fans.

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