INDIANA — The Pacers entered the new season with uncertainty clouding their direction. After Tyrese Haliburton’s devastating Achilles tear in the NBA Finals, the team faced a sobering question — rebuild or compete? Publicly, the front office projected defiance. Subtle signs point toward Pacers tanking this season.
Pacers Are Quietly Tanking This Season
The Pacers were just one win away from their first-ever championship last season. That heartbreak made fans wonder if the front office would double down or pivot. Instead of reloading, Indiana appears to be pressing the brakes, one subtle move at a time.
Public Defiance, Private Retrenchment
General manager Kevin Pritchard struck an optimistic tone in July. “We have some challenges with Ty’s injury … but you know we like what we have. … I’m hopeful that people write us off. Let’s put it that way,” he said.
Those comments gave the illusion of confidence, but the roster moves told another story. Myles Turner, the team’s longest-tenured player, walked in free agency to the Milwaukee Bucks. Sources later revealed the Pacers’ reluctance to cross into the luxury tax played a role in letting Turner go.
His replacement, Jay Huff, performs the same role at a lower level — a cost-saving downgrade that also lowered the team’s ceiling. If the Pacers wanted to stay competitive, they could have pursued Brook Lopez, who left Milwaukee for the Clippers, or even Al Horford using their $14.97 million mid-level exception. They also held a $14.1 million disabled player exception from Haliburton’s injury but chose not to use it.
These decisions, or lack thereof, point toward a clear strategy — the Pacers tanking the 2025-26 season.
Carlisle Hints At A New Reality
In a recent interview with ESPN’s Tim Legler, head coach Rick Carlisle was more transparent about what lies ahead. “We’ve established standards, and we know this will be a season with some unique challenges,” Carlisle said. “We’re missing an All-NBA player, a great playmaker and scorer. But there are opportunities for other guys.”
Carlisle’s words hinted at lowered expectations. His admission that the team must “figure out very quickly what style is best for this group” reflected a coach aware of his roster’s limits.
Without Haliburton or backup guard T.J. McConnell, Indiana’s offense has already shown cracks. The Pacers rank 20th in turnovers per game, a sharp drop from their steady play last season. Missing McConnell’s composure and Andrew Nembhard’s creation has left the team vulnerable late in games.
The Injury Bug And The Long Game
The Pacers’ start hasn’t been easy. Two of their first three games came on the road against the Timberwolves and Thunder — both playoff-caliber teams. Now, injuries are piling up. Nembhard’s shoulder injury will sideline him indefinitely, shrinking an already thin rotation.
History suggests the Pacers could rally — they turned a 16-18 start into a 50-32 finish last year — but doing so without Haliburton is a tall order. An early 0-3 start could quickly snowball into 3-9, putting them in prime lottery position.
That outcome might not be the worst thing. A smartly executed Pacers tank this season could secure one of the top prospects from a loaded 2026 draft class.
The Prize Ahead
The 2026 NBA Draft is shaping up as one of the deepest in years. Cam Boozer, already impressing at Duke, headlines the class. His blend of skill and power could elevate Indiana’s long-term ceiling if they land him. Darryn Peterson and AJ Dybantsa are also vying for the No. 1 pick, while Nate Ament, Dash Daniels, and Tounde Yessoufou round out an elite crop.
If the Pacers stay the course, this could be a masterstroke. By embracing a quiet retool, they position themselves to find the perfect long-term running mate for Haliburton — someone to carry the torch when he returns to full health.
For now, it may not look glamorous, but the Pacers tanking the 2025-26 season could be the smartest play the franchise has made in years.
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