In the ninth of 30 NBA previews prior to the start of the season, we will take a look at the Indiana Pacers. In this preview, we will discuss Indiana’s key acquisitions, fantasy stars and predicted finish.
Key Acquisitions
The Pacers are in a period of rebuilding. In the offseason, the Pacers traded guard Malcolm Brogdon to the Boston Celtics for five players and a first round pick. Of the five include center Daniel Theis and swingman Aaron Nesmith. The other key acquisition that the Pacers made in the offseason was drafting Canadian shooting guard Benedict Mathurin of Montreal, Quebec. He played his college basketball at the University of Arizona, and was selected sixth overall in the NBA Draft.
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Fantasy Star
The fantasy star for the Pacers this year is guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is ranked sixth among shooting guards and ninth among point guards. In 2021-22 with the Pacers and Sacramento Kings, Haliburton averaged 15.3 points per game, 8.2 assists per game, and four rebounds per game. He also had a field goal percentage of .473, three point percentage of .414, and a free throw percentage of .842. Haliburton was part of a blockbuster deal in February of last season that involved Domantas Sabonis.
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Projected Finish
The Pacers are expected to finish in the basement in the Central Division by Joel and I. Last season Indiana was fourth in the Central, but there is a sentiment that the Pistons improved their team more than the Pacers did in the offseason (acquiring Bojan Bogdanovic from the Utah Jazz), and as a result will pass Indiana in the standings. In fact, Joel believes that the Pacers will be the worst in the East with only 23 wins.
