Despite a devastating end to what was a Cinderella season, there is reason for optimism for the Indiana Pacers. Their terrific season came to a devastating end in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder after their best player, Tyrese Halliburton, tore his Achilles.
That will almost certainly cause him to miss all of next season, considering how late in the NBA calendar his injury happened. Considering how vital he was to their offense, they will undoubtedly take a step back next season. That could mean a higher pick in next year's draft.
Not only that, but the Pacers recently made an under-the-radar move during the Finals. They traded their 2025 pick to New Orleans in exchange for the rights to their 2026 first-round pick back.
The Pacers taking a step back next season could help them
The Pacers' pick was initially traded away in the Pascal Siakam deal with the Toronto Raptors. It later ended up in the Pelicans' hands during the Brandon Ingram trade.
Getting that pick back gives them full access to all their picks after the upcoming draft going forward. That's important because it also allows them to trade up to four selections in potential deals.
It would also ensure that the Pacers benefit if they struggle next season. The Eastern Conference projects to be almost comically bad, with the Milwaukee Bucks, Boston Celtics, and now the Pacers all being without an all-star for all of next season.
The Pacers are deep enough for them to make the playoffs, or at least the play-in, but if they don't, then they will have a lottery pick or a selection in the teens. Indiana has a long history of drafting well and could make great use of a mid-first-round pick or better.
They will also undoubtedly have to rely on others in Haliburton's absence. That could allow younger players such as Ben Mauthurin to expand their roles. Achilles's injuries are notoriously hard to come back from, increasing the need for other Pacers to step up in his absence and his return.
All told, the Pacers' luck ran out in the NBA Finals, and they will likely be without Halliburton next season. However, them getting their first-round pick back will help them. Indiana will undoubtedly try to win next season, but if they fall short, they will be able to end up with a better pick than originally expected.