Many people anticipated that the Indiana Pacers would suffer a steep decline after their improbable trip to the 2026 NBA Finals, which ended in heartbreak. Devastation may be a more suitable word; not only did they lose to the Oklahoma City Thunder in a hard-fought seven-game series, but Tyrese Haliburton suffered a shattered Achilles, forcing their floor general to miss the full 2025-26 season.
The Pacers’ season could not have finished in a worse position in terms of victory and loss. They fell off a cliff, winning just 19 games, which was unusual given that the Pacers have never intentionally bottomed out in the hopes of obtaining a top pick.
However, their transactions at the trade deadline made this a required step for them. They have the second-worst record in the NBA, trailing only the Washington Wizards, which should assist them in keeping their pick in the top four. After all, the Ivica Zubac trade will send their first-round selection this year to the Los Angeles Clippers if it falls outside the top four until the tenth spot.
However, the Pacers have the potential to make a significant comeback. The team’s fundamental players that made it all the way to the NBA Finals remain, and Zubac addresses their need for a starting center with Myles Turner’s departure.
Nonetheless, fine-tuning the team and making a few more marginal adjustments may be beneficial, particularly since Haliburton will definitely require time to find his rhythm following such a long absence.
With that stated, here are several players the Pacers should and should not trade as their offseason approaches.
Pacers’ primary players are secure.
Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, Ivica Zubac, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, T. J. McConnell, and Obi Toppin are all protected from trading.
It should be noted that Haliburton is as safe from a trade as possible. There is no chance the Pacers will give up on him, especially since they have formed the squad around him and have been patiently awaiting his return to the court.
Siakam has been the Pacers’ finest trooper. Despite Indiana’s poor season, he kept his head down and worked hard on the court, and the squad must be thrilled at the thought of allowing him to experience winning basketball again.
Zubac was the Pacers’ major acquisition this year, and Indiana wants to see how he fits with the rest of the squad before even considering an upgrade. Nembhard, Nesmith, McConnell, and Toppin are all on bargain deals as battle-tested players who have previously demonstrated that they can keep up with the finest under the bright playoff lights.
Seriously, the Pacers will not feel pressured to trade any of these seven players. These players are contracted for at least two more seasons, providing Indiana with a strong two-year contender window.
If anything, McConnell’s age may be cause for concern for Indiana (he’s now 34). But he’s a popular veteran in the locker room, and no one will forget how he led the team for long periods in the NBA Finals by handling the ball, reaching his position, and scoring baskets.
The Pacers are likely to bring in a talented rookie, but there is no better way to integrate someone like Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, or AJ Dybantsa than to have them learn from seasoned winners.
Role players are airborne but not secure.
Ben Sheppard, Jay Huff, Johnny Furphy, Quenton Jackson, and Micah Potter are among those who are uncertain.
The Pacers’ losing ways in 2026 have at least provided the team with an opportunity to hold tryouts for places on next year’s roster. Game-to-game performance isn’t the only factor to consider; team fit for next season will be critical for the front office when determining which players to retain.
Sheppard is the most likely to stay among this group; he played substantial minutes in the Pacers’ playoff run in 2025, and as a low-usage, 3-and-D player, he is exactly the type of piece teams need to plug and play as needed. However, he will be a free agent next year, which adds complexity to the situation.
Huff appeared in all 82 games for the Pacers this season, and while he did not establish himself as the team’s undisputed starting center despite having countless chances, he demonstrated that he can be a regular rotation player. He can block shots, shoot a few three-pointers, and perform some fantastic reverse slams. He is the leading contender to win the backup position behind Zubac next season.
Furphy is a former first-round selection who is presently recovering from a torn ACL, and it would be unfair to cut him while he is recovering. He has minimal to no trade worth while injured.
Jackson and Potter have benefited from the Pacers’ limited roster this season. Jackson knows how to score. Potter is a well-rounded offensive player for a large guy. If anything, the former is more likely to be released/traded away due to the Pacers’ guard depth, whereas the latter has a strong possibility of being Indiana’s third-string center.
Indiana’s trade candidates
Trading possibilities: Jarace Walker, Kam Jones.
One may question why Walker is a trade prospect for the Pacers. He has ideal height for a combo forward and can contribute some additional offense when needed. Walker, on the other hand, will be entering the final year of his deal. And the Pacers, like they did with Bennedict Mathurin, may have to trade him before having to pay for an extension.
Unlike Sheppard, who is also a free agent at the end of next season, Walker could command a pricey enough extension to drive the Pacers away, seeing as his counting stats are much better than Sheppard’s.
If the Pacers manage to draft a wing with their first-round pick in this year’s draft, it becomes all the more likely that Walker is not long for the team.
