After losing two best players ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers have a more challenging season than they do.
The Indiana Pacers surprised the world when they reached the 2025 NBA Finals. But the tears of Achilles of Tyrese Halliburton were marking the end of their good fortune.
Things got worse in the offseason as Miles Turner signed with the Milwaukee Bucks and left the Pacers to their biggest rival.
Without the two best players, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle will have a lot of work during the 2025-26 NBA season.
Carlisle has already confirmed one Pacers starter next season. But which players will make up their starting lineup?
The Indiana Pacers have to be creative in their starting lineup by actually limiting the depth of their roster due to the lack of injuries, player exits and free agent signatures.
This is what I believe the Indiana Pacers’ starting lineup will look like this:
| Starting lineup | Second unit |
| Andrew Nenbard | TJ McConnell |
| Aaron Nesmith | Ben Shepherd |
| Benedict Matrin | Jarace Walker |
| Pascal Sakak | Tony Bradley |
| Jay Huff | Isaiah Jackson |
Andrew Nenbird must represent him at point guard unless Rick Carlisle determines that TJ McConnell can become their starter.
Benedict Matlin could become a breakout star for the Pacers.
The Indiana Pacers are weaker, but several other teams in the Eastern Conference have improved.
Their playoff rivals, the New York Knicks, have landed several strong role players and brought new head coaches to give them the tools to reach the NBA Finals.
The Orlando Magic and Atlanta Hawks made some major moves next season to help the Pacers and Boston Celtics drop out of the fight.
The Pacers may be better off trying to face much needed playing time for younger players next season than competing for the championship.