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Indiana Pacers: 5 reasons they won’t make the playoffs in 2017-18

By Adrian Lawhorn

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 28: TJ Leaf #22, Lance Stephenson #1, Ike Anigbogu #15, Glenn Robinson III #40 and Myles Turner #33 of theIndiana Pacers participate in an outdoor fanfest on July 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JULY 28: TJ Leaf #22, Lance Stephenson #1, Ike Anigbogu #15, Glenn Robinson III #40 and Myles Turner #33 of theIndiana Pacers participate in an outdoor fanfest on July 28, 2017 in Indianapolis, Indiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and condition of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images
Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images /

The Indiana Pacers have done what they could this offseason to remain competitive, but here are five reasons they won’t be a playoff team in 2017-18.

The 2017 offseason did not go as originally planned for the Indiana Pacers. Kevin Pritchard had developed a free agency strategy with the intent to fortify the roster in support of All-Star Paul George.

Of course, that all changed when the team found out that George had a very different vision for his future. The Pacers responded by sending him to the Oklahoma City Thunder, and Indiana’s offseason Plan B was underway.

Pritchard redeveloped his design for the franchise’s future, and to date has brought 10 new players to the team. The team’s direction is certainly being considered a rebuild, but in no way is this to be misconstrued as “tanking.”

Indiana wants to compete for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, despite having no All-Stars on the current roster.

Kevin Pritchard has assembled a young team that he feels has a chance to grow into a very competitive group, while also possessing enough short-term potential to keep fans interested as the Pacers go through this transitional phase.

Indiana’s long-term plan may work, but they won’t make the playoffs in 2017-18. Here are five reasons that the Pacers will be a participant in the draft lottery next summer.

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