Honestly, if you looked at the NBA Indiana Pacers roster back in June 2025, you would've bet your house on a deep playoff run. They were coming off a Game 7 loss in the Finals. The vibes were immaculate. Then, the floor fell out.
Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tear changed everything. One second he’s the face of the league’s most explosive offense, and the next, he's sidelined for the entire 2025-26 season. It’s brutal. Because of that, this roster looks nothing like what Rick Carlisle probably dreamed of during his summer vacation.
The Reality of the NBA Indiana Pacers Roster Right Now
The current rotation is a strange mix of "win-now" veterans and "please-develop-faster" teenagers. You've got Pascal Siakam basically carrying the entire city on his back. He’s been incredible, honestly. Averaging 23.6 points and nearly 7 rebounds a game while being the only real consistent threat on the floor is no small feat. He signed that massive 4-year, $189.5 million max contract to be the co-star, but life made him the solo act.
The record isn't pretty. 10-32 as of mid-January. It’s 15th in the East. But looking at the names on the paper, you can see why they're struggling to keep their heads above water.
The Backcourt Shuffle
Without Tyrese, the playmaking duties have fallen squarely on Andrew Nembhard. He’s actually stepped up. 17.4 points and 7.2 assists per game? That’s starter material in this league. He isn’t Haliburton—nobody is—but he’s proving he can run a system.
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Then there’s the T.J. McConnell factor. Everyone loves T.J. He’s 33 now, still pesky as ever, still dishing out nine assists on random Tuesdays. He’s the heartbeat of the bench, but you can't ask him to play 35 minutes a night without his legs giving out eventually.
The Young Core and the "Incomplete" Grade
You’ve probably heard people talking about Bennedict Mathurin. The guy is a walking bucket, but his 2025-26 season has been a nightmare of minor injuries. A toe issue, then a thumb injury. When he’s on, he’s averaging a career-high 17.8 points. When he’s off, the Pacers' offense looks stagnant and, frankly, a bit boring.
- Jarace Walker: He’s played every single game. That’s the good news. The bad news? His shooting percentages have dipped. He’s a multi-positional defender, sure, but the offensive leap hasn't quite happened yet.
- Ben Sheppard: He’s become a reliable rotation piece, mostly because he actually tries on defense.
- Johnny Furphy: The rookie has shown flashes. He's had double-doubles in losses, which shows he’s hunting for the ball.
The Big Man Problem
Myles Turner isn't the primary focus here anymore. The center spot has become a revolving door. Jay Huff—yes, the Jay Huff—has been a legitimate bright spot. He actually netted a career-high 29 points recently. He’s been more productive than anyone expected, blocking over two shots a game.
Meanwhile, the team is constantly cycling through 10-day contracts. Tony Bradley is back on the squad. James Wiseman was waived, then brought back, then waived again. It’s chaotic. It feels like Kevin Pritchard is just trying to find anyone who can stand in the paint and not get bullied.
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The Salary Cap Situation
It's a bit of a squeeze. Haliburton and Siakam are both making over $45 million this year. That’s a lot of money sitting on the bench in Tyrese’s case.
- Tyrese Haliburton: $45.5M (Out for season)
- Pascal Siakam: $45.5M
- Andrew Nembhard: $18.1M
- Obi Toppin: $14.0M
The dead money is also piling up. They’ve got small hits from guys like Monte Morris and Garrison Mathews. It limits what they can do at the trade deadline unless they want to move one of the "untouchable" young guys like Walker or Mathurin.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
People see the 10-32 record and think the "Pacers are back to being the Pacers." It’s a lazy take.
This isn't a team that lost its way; it's a team that lost its engine. You take the best playmaker in the world off any roster, and they’re going to look lost. The fact that they’ve stayed top-10 in pace (100.5) shows that Carlisle is still trying to play the "Indiana Way," even if the personnel can't always execute it.
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They aren't tanking on purpose. They're just wounded.
The Trade Deadline Rumors
Every podcast right now is trying to trade Bennedict Mathurin to the Mavericks or Memphis. The logic? Indiana needs a "real" center replacement for the long term, and teams want Mathurin’s scoring.
It’s a tough pill to swallow for fans. Mathurin was supposed to be the future. But if the goal is to be ready for when Haliburton returns in 2026-27, a move might be necessary. They need more than just "hope" in the frontcourt.
Actionable Insights for Pacers Fans
If you're following the NBA Indiana Pacers roster this season, stop looking at the standings. It'll only make you sad. Instead, focus on these three things:
- Monitor Jay Huff’s Minutes: If he continues to play like a legitimate NBA starter, the Pacers might have stumbled into a cheap, long-term solution at the five.
- Watch Nembhard’s Usage: See if his assist-to-turnover ratio stays elite. If he proves he’s a $20M+ per year guard, he becomes a massive trade asset or a perfect permanent backcourt partner for Tyrese.
- Keep an eye on the 2026 Draft Lottery: With the way this season is going, Indiana is likely looking at a top-5 pick. Adding a generational talent to a healthy Haliburton and Siakam changes the trajectory of the franchise overnight.
The rest of this season is essentially a 40-game audition for the 2027 season. Every minute Jarace Walker plays is more important than whether the team actually wins the game. It’s about survival and data collection. Nothing more, nothing less.