Playoff dreams died early for the 2023 Pacers. After starting the season 4-4, a 13-game losing streak quickly put the franchise's first season under new GM TheTwoWallaces in its place. This was going to be no easy climb from the basement of the CSL, and boy did they learn that quickly.
Power Forward Semi Ojeleye gets a rare smile in during what has been a difficult season.
Today, the Pacers sit at 19-38. A .333 winning percentage is nothing to brag about, though the team can take an iota of solace in their notably improved 15-21 performance after that horrid start to the season.
Growing pains were everywhere this season for the Pacers. For example, rookies Elie Okobo and Collin Sexton split minutes at Point Guard, with Sexton putting up marginally better stats. However, neither has solidified their role as the Pacers future floor general. Both players are young and have upside, but for this season, neither could bring many W's to Indiana.
One area that has haunted the Pacers is scoring. A balanced affair, the Pacers have had 4 players averaging ~13 ppg. Ojeleye, Love, Winslow, and Alkins all played similar minutes and put up similar production, however none of them stood out enough to merit having the ball in their hands with the game on the line. This is the likely impetus for the blockbuster trade pulled by GM TTW in the waning minutes of the trade deadline (his 4th? blockbuster trade since taking over the organization).
Justise Winslow never found his groove in Indiana, playing 160 games and averaging 13.9 ppg on 41% shooting from the field.
The deal, which saw defensive stalwart Justise Winslow head to Houston along with veteran Jimmy Butler & rookie Josh Okogie, brought in something that the Pacers had desperately needed: a scorer & a future building block.
Michael Porter Jr. is, according to scouts, going to be the next big thing on the offensive end. A man who can shoot inside and outside, who can handle the ball, and who can get to the free throw line, Porter Jr. is going to have the keys to the offense from day one. The next chapter in the Indiana story may hinge on his development.
Porter Jr. expects to have the ball in his hand a lot more in Indiana than he did in Houston.
Of note: With Porter Jr. inserted into the lineup, the Pacers now have 3 rookies (Okobo, Sexton, and Porter) playing heavy minutes on a nightly basis. Combine that with Ojeleye (22), Patton (22), Metu (21), and Brooks (23), and the Pacers rotation is one of the youngest in the league. Furthermore, expiring contracts for Love (34) and Hayward (34) will give the Pacers and opportunity to get even younger next season.
It would be a stretch to say that this unit is currently playing high quality basketball. For now, the Pacers are finding comfort in the two things that is on their side: Time & Money.
2028
