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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
1 move Indiana Pacers should've made in 2025 NBA offseason
The post 1 move Indiana Pacers should've made in 2025 NBA offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Indiana Pacers were one of the feel-good stories of the 2024-25 NBA season, until they weren't. A surprise run to the NBA Finals sparked hope and signalled that their young core, led by Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam, was ready to contend. But entering the 2025 offseason, reality set in. Haliburton's lingering injury, reportedly expected to sideline him for most of the upcoming season, cast a long shadow over Indiana's outlook. And when franchise cornerstone Myles Turner unexpectedly left in free agency, the Pacers were left reeling. Instead of making an aggressive move to maintain momentum, Indiana opted for low-risk deals and internal development. It was a cautious approach-perhaps justifiable, but one that could cost them in a wide-open Eastern Conference. Because for all the attention on replacing Turner in the frontcourt, the true crisis lies elsewhere: playmaking. That's why the one move Indiana should have made is clear: they should have pursued Josh Giddey. Why signing Josh Giddey would have changed everything for the Pacers With Tyrese Haliburton out for a major portion of the upcoming season, the Pacers desperately need someone who can run an offense, create for others, and keep their tempo-driven identity intact. The 22-year-old Aussie isn't without flaws; his jumper remains inconsistent, and his fit with other ball-dominant players has been debated, but he offers something Indiana sorely lacks in Haliburton's absence: vision, creativity, and size at the point guard spot. Last season, Giddey averaged 14.6 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in just under 30.2 minutes per game. He boasts an elite feel for the game and can run a second unit or a starting offense depending on personnel. With Siakam in place as a frontcourt scorer and floor-spacer, and shooters like Andrew Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin around him, Giddey could've elevated everyone's game, even in Haliburton's absence. More importantly, he fits Indiana's timeline. Giddey is young, hungry, and just entering his prime. Signing him would have cost little in terms of financial flexibility and could've cemented Indiana's backcourt as the most dynamic in the East once Haliburton returns. Haliburton's injury demands a real solution The Pacers' offense revolved around Haliburton's brilliance. He was the head of the snake, leading the NBA in assists per game, pushing the pace, and commanding attention off screens. Without him, Rick Carlisle's system lacks a pilot. You can't replicate Haliburton, but you can insulate his absence by adding high-level connectors. Instead, Indiana re-signed Quenton Jackson and gave Lonzo Ball a courtesy look in trade talks but ultimately passed on every major backcourt option on the market. A temporary starting five of Bennedict Mathurin, TJ McConnell, Siakam, and Isaiah Jackson with Jay Huff at center might be serviceable, but without a true orchestrator, the offense will sputter. That's where Giddey, with his unique combination of size (6'8'), court vision, and rebounding, could've served as both a bridge and a building block. Pacers' 2025 free agency & offseason moves Jay Huff (Traded from Memphis) Huff is the most intriguing new addition. He provides many of the traits Indiana valued in Myles Turner, rim protection, and three-point shooting. At 27, he's not a long-term answer but could be a crucial role player. His ability to stretch the floor and anchor bench units makes him the front-runner to start, even if he's still somewhat unproven at scale. James Wiseman (2-Year Deal) The former No. 2 overall pick is still searching for consistency. Wiseman brings elite length and athleticism, but decision-making and defense remain red flags. Indiana is hoping a defined backup role will simplify his responsibilities and unlock his potential. A high-upside flyer, but risky if overexposed. Isaiah Jackson (Re-signed) Once viewed as a future starter, Jackson is now fighting for rotation minutes. His athleticism and shot-blocking still intrigue, and he fits Indiana's pace-based style. With Turner gone, Jackson could find renewed opportunity if he could stay out of foul trouble and improve offensively. Tony Bradley (1-Year Deal) A depth signing meant to provide veteran stability. Bradley is unlikely to crack the rotation unless injuries hit hard, but he gives Indiana a bruising presence off the bench. His role will mostly be insurance and mentoring. Quenton Jackson (Re-signed) Jackson re-upped on a low-cost deal, bringing energy and athleticism to the backcourt. He's more of a slasher than a shooter, and his defense gives him a shot at carving out minutes. Still a developmental project, but useful given the Haliburton injury. Carlisle needs a real PG: Not just options Rick Carlisle is one of the NBA's most respected tactical minds, but even he can't win without a functional offense. The current roster, while deep in certain areas, lacks the offensive continuity and control that a player like Giddey could have provided. Lonzo Ball, even if healthy, would have been ideal. But Giddey was available, cheap, and fit the identity Indiana is trying to maintain: ball movement, tempo, and versatility. In a league that prizes oversized playmakers, letting a 6'8' passer with court vision and rebounding walk to a division rival is difficult to justify. A wasted opportunity in a wide-open east The East is in flux. The Celtics remain decent, but are cost-cutting. The Cavs just lost in five games as a 64-win team. The Bucks are older. The Knicks are still unproven at the highest level. In short, a bold Indiana could've climbed the ladder. Instead, they've hedged. They retained role players. They added intriguing pieces. But they didn't solve their biggest issue. Josh Giddey might not be a superstar, but he's a winning player in the right role. And for a team teetering on the edge of contention, that's exactly what Indiana needed. A conservative summer that could cost the Pacers their momentum Let's be fair, losing Myles Turner wasn't something Indiana could control. And Haliburton's injury is bad luck, not bad management. But the Pacers had a window this summer to retool without rebuilding, and they chose a conservative route. The one move they should have made, signing Josh Giddey, would have addressed their greatest need and bought them time until Haliburton returned. Instead, they enter training camp with more questions than answers at the most important position on the floor. For a franchise trying to return to relevance, standing still can feel like falling behind. And in this case, not signing Giddey may be the move that haunts the Pacers most when the standings tighten in April. Related: Paul George's 10 most controversial statements, ranked Related: 1 final move Indiana Pacers must make to complete 2025 NBA offseason
Edmonton Journal
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Looking back on the Raptors in NBA Bubble five years later
Article content To say it was a strange time is an understatement. Hyper-competitive athletes suddenly were surrounded by their opponents whenever they went to eat, relax by the pool or hang out on the complex. And players used to playing in front of packed arenas suddenly were competing in eerily quiet spaces. Article content Coaches and players who always had screamed out plays and schemes knowing it would be drowned out by crowd noise quickly found out the opposition would pick up anything right away so adjustments had to be made. There were also no energy boosts provided by raucous fans, no home-court advantages anymore. Article content Some were more ready to return than others. Pascal Siakam's decision not to pick up a basketball for so long put him way off his game (Siakam shot just 39.5% from the field and missed 43-of-53 three-point attempts in the bubble playoffs) and ended up hurting the Raptors. He wasn't the only one, though he has received the most attention in ensuing years. Article content Article content Still, Toronto won its first game back five years ago on Aug. 1, against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers no less, plus another against Miami, the team that would advance to take on the Lakers in the Finals, and Orlando before falling to Boston. Article content The Raptors won 7-of-8 games in all and looked like a legitimate threat to repeat after steamrolling Brooklyn in four straight in the first round of the playoffs before dropping the first two games of the second round to the Celtics. Article content The Raptors would win the next two (including Game 3 in epic fashion on OG Anunoby's buzzer-beater off a great pass from Kyle Lowry) to tie the series, then take Game 6 in double overtime after dropping Game 5, to force a Game 7. The Raptors couldn't pull that one out and their time in the bubble came to an end. Article content Article content Article content The NHL also adopted a bubble type of system after its season had been paused on March 12. The rest of the regular season was cancelled, with the playoffs played in the two centralized 'hub' cities Toronto and Edmonton, starting Aug. 1, but with no spectators. Article content Major League Baseball had cancelled the rest of Spring Training on March 12, but it began again on July 1 rebranded as 'Summer Camp.' Article content The shortened regular season commenced on July 23, but the Blue Jays were denied permission to play in Toronto, so they spent their home games in Buffalo. Article content The Blue Jays did not actually play a game at Rogers Centre again until July 30, 2021, having previously played there in September of 2019 when the team completed an awful 67-win campaign (the Raptors spent the 2020-21 season in Tampa and didn't play again in Toronto until Oct. 2021).
National Post
01-08-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Looking back on the Raptors in NBA Bubble five years later
Article content To say it was a strange time is an understatement. Hyper-competitive athletes suddenly were surrounded by their opponents whenever they went to eat, relax by the pool or hang out on the complex. And players used to playing in front of packed arenas suddenly were competing in eerily quiet spaces. Article content Coaches and players who always had screamed out plays and schemes knowing it would be drowned out by crowd noise quickly found out the opposition would pick up anything right away so adjustments had to be made. There were also no energy boosts provided by raucous fans, no home-court advantages anymore. Article content Some were more ready to return than others. Pascal Siakam's decision not to pick up a basketball for so long put him way off his game (Siakam shot just 39.5% from the field and missed 43-of-53 three-point attempts in the bubble playoffs) and ended up hurting the Raptors. He wasn't the only one, though he has received the most attention in ensuing years. Article content Still, Toronto won its first game back five years ago on Aug. 1, against the eventual champion Los Angeles Lakers no less, plus another against Miami, the team that would advance to take on the Lakers in the Finals, and Orlando before falling to Boston. Article content The Raptors won 7-of-8 games in all and looked like a legitimate threat to repeat after steamrolling Brooklyn in four straight in the first round of the playoffs before dropping the first two games of the second round to the Celtics. Article content The Raptors would win the next two (including Game 3 in epic fashion on OG Anunoby's buzzer-beater off a great pass from Kyle Lowry) to tie the series, then take Game 6 in double overtime after dropping Game 5, to force a Game 7. The Raptors couldn't pull that one out and their time in the bubble came to an end. Article content Article content Article content The NHL also adopted a bubble type of system after its season had been paused on March 12. The rest of the regular season was cancelled, with the playoffs played in the two centralized 'hub' cities Toronto and Edmonton, starting Aug. 1, but with no spectators. Article content Major League Baseball had cancelled the rest of Spring Training on March 12, but it began again on July 1 rebranded as 'Summer Camp.' Article content The shortened regular season commenced on July 23, but the Blue Jays were denied permission to play in Toronto, so they spent their home games in Buffalo. Article content The Blue Jays did not actually play a game at Rogers Centre again until July 30, 2021, having previously played there in September of 2019 when the team completed an awful 67-win campaign (the Raptors spent the 2020-21 season in Tampa and didn't play again in Toronto until Oct. 2021). Article content
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why these young NBA players are primed to take a leap in 2025
Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill and analyst Dan Titus discuss the young NBA stars that they think will improve the most during the 2025-26 NBA season. Hear the full conversation on 'Good Word with Goodwill' and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you listen. View more Video Transcript Is there a player in particular that you're looking at and you're like, man, this guy is primed to make a leap next season. First name that comes to mind, Andrew Nembhard with Tyrese Haliburton out. Nembhard is probably gonna be the guy that's gonna be the engine of the offense. They're gonna play through Pascal Siakam too, but I think we're gonna see that big leap in Andrew Nembhard. It's gonna be a very important year for him. I think that that's the person that I'm kind of pegging right now, most improved player, taking that leap to kinda keep Indiana on the brink of relevancy in the East. Like they're not gonna be what they were last year, but they're still obviously gonna be a playoff team cause their team is still super deep. It, it's an interesting thing when you look at a guy like Nembhard, when you look at the Pacers as a whole, like we're so easily writing them off, right? Ben Mathurin is a guy that I think of and I'm saying he is super talented. You can see him playing with, uh, you know, Pascal Siakam and seeing if, you know, their chemistry can develop just with more usage and more opportunity to play. Ben Mathurin is a guy for me. Is, do you have somebody else or is that just your one? Yeah, I was thinking also Asser Thompson. I think the Asser leap is what's really gonna propel the Detroit Pistons. Cause the thing about Asser, I think he's been kind of overlooked because he dealt with the blood clot injury and he kinda came on mid-season. That's the guy that I'm really keen in on in Detroit that I think. Could be that X factor for them to go to that next level if they're gonna take it there. I agree with everything you said about Asser Thompson. I think he's gonna be in the most improved category, if not a bunch of other categories. What do you think about Alex Caruso? I know it's Washington, nobody pays attention to them. Because they're the Wizards and now they're trying to be Oklahoma City East. Alex Caruso just because of his physical makeup. Maybe I'm jumping on in a year early, but I'd rather be that guy to say, yeah, yeah, yeah, I saw Caruso along, but I won't gonna say it. No, I'm calling my shot. Now, I think this kid is gonna be good. Yeah, I mean, uh, so he was one of the players that I was really curious to watch in summer league, and, you know, he broke the summer league record for most blocks in the game with 8, but I think it was his shot selection that to me looked a bit improved. Now that we're kind of, they're reshaping the roster akin to, you know, the Oklahoma City Thunder, I think we should see a leap in Alsar. Close
Fox News
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- Fox News
Pacers And Racers: Pascal Siakam Gets Key Role For NASCAR's Brickyard 400
Brickyard 400 fans will get their own glimpse into a Pacers and racers weekend Sunday. Brickyard 400 organizers said Tuesday that Indiana Pacers All-Star Pascal Siakam has been selected as the pace-car driver for this weekend's race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The announcement comes almost exactly two months after the Pacers played the New York Knicks in an Eastern Conference final game on the same day as the Indianapolis 500. The events took place just a short drive apart. It was just the fourth time a Pacers and racers doubleheader had taken place in Indy. Now, though, Siakam will get a chance to experience the other part, this time leading the Cup cars to the green flag in a 2025 Chevrolet Blazer EV SS. The race will take place on the historic 2.5-mile oval for the second straight year after it had been run on the track's road course. "Basketball and motorsports — Pacers and racers — go hand in hand in Indianapolis," IndyCar and speedway President Doug Boles said in a statement. "Following the Pacers' electrifying postseason run, it's only fitting to have Pascal join us to pace the field as NASCAR's biggest stars compete to win the In-Season Challenge and add their name to the history books with a win at the Brickyard." Siakam didn't start playing basketball until he was 17 years old. He grew up in Cameroon and the three-time All-Star also is a two-time All-NBA selection and won an NBA title with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
