Looking ahead to the 2024-25 NBA season, the Indiana Pacers hope to carry their success from last year into the new season.
The Pacers shocked the NBA world by making it to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 2014. And even though they were swept by the eventual champion Boston Celtics, the Pacers proved they belong on the big stage. Some would even say the Pacers gave Boston the toughest challenge of the postseason.
Despite reaching the Conference Finals, however, the Pacers are still overlooked. When it comes to serious title contenders in next season’s Eastern Conference, the Pacers are rarely mentioned. Instead, the Celtics, New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers (now featuring former Pacers star Paul George) are considered the top teams in the conference.
Although they are still underdogs, the Pacers have a lot of momentum and should be even better next season. Luckily for the team, there are still some in the NBA who believe in their chances of making another incredible run next season.
In a recent interview on the Fixated on pacemaker In the podcast, Potter talked about the team’s prospects for next season. Potter played with Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton as a member of the US national team at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and was able to see firsthand the talent the 24-year-old has.
Potter said the Pacers have a “really good chance to be really good” next season.
“I think the Pacers have a really good chance to be really good. Obviously they had an incredible run last year,” Potter said.
In addition, the 26-year-old cited the team’s “continuity” and “improved chemistry” as key reasons why the Pacers should perform better next season.
“The continuity of those guys and the guys that have always been there. Everyone gets better in the summer,” Potter said of Indiana. “And then you just have the improved chemistry … And now you know what it takes.”
The Pacers had a quiet offseason this summer, at least in terms of outside acquisitions. During the offseason, the Pacers signed center James Wiseman and selected wing Johnny Furphy in the second round of the 2024 NBA Draft. Aside from those two, however, the team did not bring in any big-name players who are likely to contribute immediately.
Still, Indiana is banking on a natural progression of all of its players, and considering how young the team is and what it accomplished last year, that might be the right decision. Ultimately, the Pacers still have a few obstacles ahead of them next season, but they should be considered a top team in the conference and could surprise some people again.
