Indiana Pacers' Biggest Offseason Needs Ahead of 2026 NBA Draft and Free Agency
One of two NBA teams without a draft pick right now, the Indiana Pacers may have to rely on internal growth from players like Kam Jones and Jarace Walker as well as the return of Tyrese Haliburton to make it back to the East playoffs.
If Indiana trades back into the draft, they should target a wing scorer.
The Pacers traded Benedict Mathurin (17.8 points in 28 games last year) as part of the package to get Ivica Zubac, a deal that also included what ended up being the No. 5 overall pick and a future unprotected first.
TOP NEWS
76ers Exec Makes Pitch to LeBron
.jpg?w=3840)
Biggest FA Mistakes of the Century šø
Tatum Reflects on Brown Trade
2025-26 Record: 19-63
Draft Picks:Ā None
Time
There may be a handful of specific needs the Indiana Pacers need to address this offseason, but perhaps more than any organization, what they really need is just the offseason itself.
During his two playoff runs with Indiana, the Pacers areĀ plus-5.1Ā points per 100 possessions with Tyrese Haliburton on the floor and minus-7.1 when he's off. Not having him this season, regardless of who else might've been available, was always going to doom them.
After these few months off, Haliburton should be somewhere near his old self (his game was never overly reliant on burst or athleticism), and that alone should supercharge Pascal Siakam, Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and new teammate Ivica Zubac.
Frontcourt Depth
The Pacers still have Jay Huff as a solid option at backup center, but Obi Toppin was injured for much of last season, and Jarace Walker hasn't quite lived up to the potential some thought he had coming out of college.
Indiana has 14 players under contract for next season (though four are on team options), but another big man to shore up that rotation wouldn't hurt.
Bench Scorer
Indiana may not have had Bennedict Mathurin in its longterm plans (hence trading him for Zubac before his restricted free agency), but he did provide some scoring punch off the bench.
The Pacers may be able to replace that with Ben Sheppard, Toppin or even Johnny Furphy, but they could stand to use a little insurance for that role.
