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Indiana Pacers: 2017-18 NBA season preview

By Adrian Lawhorn

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 08: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers is seen during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 8, 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 conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - MARCH 08: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers is seen during the game against the Detroit Pistons at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on March 8, 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 conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images
Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images /

The Indiana Pacers are in the midst of a major transition after the departure of All-Star Paul George. What is the team’s outlook going into the 2017-18 campaign?

The Indiana Pacers are not the team they expected to be. Plans were well underway to add talent around All-Star Paul George when the news broke in June that George wanted out of Dodge.

General manager Kevin Pritchard reacted by sending George to the Western Conference via trade and completely revamping his team-building strategy.

The Pacers are now focused on developing young talent, and they’ve added 10 new players to the roster going into training camp — and that doesn’t even include the additional players signed to two-way contracts.

Indiana will have a new look in 2017-18, but it will take time for this group to blossom, assuming it ever makes that progression. The young group Pritchard has assembled should be fun to watch, as long as expectations are muted.

The Pacers want to remain competitive while retooling the roster; this is not a tanking operation by any means. However, success will only come in spurts this season.

The upcoming NBA campaign will be one of massive change for the franchise, so there are many unanswered questions surrounding the team. Here is a preview of the 2017-18 Indiana Pacers as they embark on the franchise’s new direction.

2016-17 Vitals

42-40, 3rd in Central Division, 7th in Eastern Conference
105.1 PPG (15th)/105.3 OPP PPG (14th)
108.6 Offensive Rating (15th)/108.8 Defensive Rating (16th)

Team Leaders
Scoring:  Paul George, 23.7 PPG
Rebounding:  Myles Turner, 7.3 RPG
Assists:  Jeff Teague, 7.8 APG
Steals:  Paul George, 1.6 SPG
Blocks:  Myles Turner, 2.1 BPG

Honors
NBA All-Star:  Paul George

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