Even though they reached the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, few anticipated the Indiana Pacers would be able to
Even though they reached the Eastern Conference Finals a year ago, few anticipated the Indiana Pacers would be able to maintain their momentum heading into the 2024-25 season. Little did skeptics know, the Pacers did manage to outperform expectations for the second year in a row, leading to their first NBA Finals appearance since the 2000 season.
Of course, the Pacers weren’t able to secure what would have been the first NBA Championship in franchise history, and Tyrese Haliburton’s Achilles tear surely played a major factor. Since then, we’ve seen the Pacers lose Myles Turner in free agency after the star center signed a four-year, $107 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks.
Turner’s departure and his eventual landing spot were both shocking to those in the know around the NBA. Yet, Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel suggests there may be some existing internal friction on the Pacers, which may have contributed to Turner’s decision to ditch Indiana for Milwaukee.
“One Eastern Conference scout pointed not to Turner’s decision to leave Indianapolis as the most shocking aspect of this transaction, but to his decision to join the Bucks of all teams. Some around the league have speculated that there was more going on behind the scenes with the Pacers than what has been said, and now teams are watching this team closely entering the 2025-26 season. A decision not to bring back Turner on a fair contract could have a devastating impact on Indiana’s future, especially with Haliburton out for the entire year.”
Clutch Points’ Brett Siegel on Indiana Pacers
The Pacers have already announced that Haliburton won’t be available at all during the regular season. While the All-NBA point guard remains focused on his Achilles injury rehab, chances are the Pacers won’t come anywhere close to sniffing another Finals appearance during the upcoming season.
As they say, winning cures all, but losing? That tends to cause friction, which could mean the Pacers bear watching for NBA fans all around the globe.
Related: Minnesota Timberwolves impacted Myles Turner’s decision to leave Indiana Pacers for Milwaukee Bucks
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Category: General Sports
