Indiana Pacers stock up, stock down

The Indiana Pacers are currently working through a roster rebuild, which is why no alarm bells started ringing when they missed out on the playoffs. Fortunately, the Pacers have acquired numerous young talents in recent seasons and look to be firmly on the right track to future contention. Still, as with any season, not every member of the Pacers roster gave a good account of themselves this year. 

Here a four Pacers who have either seen their stock rise or fall this season.

Stock Up 

Tyrese Haliburton, Guard: Before the 2022-23 season even got underway, Haliburton was viewed as one of the best young guards in the league. As it turns out, the 23-year-old didn't disappoint, as he ended the season averaging a double-double in points (20.7) and assists (10.4). With the old-school pass-first point guard largely a thing of the past, Haliburton is somewhat of a hybrid guard, bridging the old-school with the new, wowing fans in the process. 

Furthermore, Haliburton narrowly missed on the coveted 40/50/90 statline this year, shooting 49% from the field, 40% from three, and 87.1% from the free-throw line. It was no surprise to see the Pacers guard be selected for the 2023 All-Star game, and it's clear that with so much potential and so much time ahead of him, Haliburton is only going to continue improving. 

As such, we can expect the Pacers to make Haliburton the crown jewel of their rebuilding project. By doing so, the Pacers will need to surround him with talent that accentuates his unique skillset. Only then will we begin to see the full scope of Haliburton's ability to impact games.

Right now, there's no other guard under 25 with as much upside and professionalism as Haliburton, making him a genuine hot commodity around the NBA.

Aaron Nesmith, Forward: After two difficult years with the Boston Celtics, where Nesmith struggled to crack the rotation, he finally began to show why he was a lottery pick in 2020. Starting 60 of the 73 games he played in, Nesmith flashed upside as a two-way wing with three-level scoring potential. 

Nesmith ended the season with career highs across the board. The third-year wing averaged 10.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 24.9 minutes of play while shooting 49.6% from two-point range, 36.6% from deep, and 83.8% from the free-throw line. Head coach Rick Carlisle clearly trusts Nesmith and sees the potential in his game. 

If the Vanderbilt product is allowed to continue playing through his mistakes and developing for the Pacers, he could establish himself as a reliable starter. Nesmith probably isn't an All-Star talent. Yet, his scoring ability and fearless defense will provide the Pacers with a reliable wing threat for years to come.  The only question that remains is whether Nesmith remains with the team beyond his current contract, which is entering its final year.

Stock Down

Daniel Theis, Center: After undergoing knee surgery, Daniel Theis missed the majority of the 2022-23 NBA season. As such, the former Boston Celtics big man appeared in just seven games for the Pacers this year. Unfortunately for Theis, the Pacers have a reliable big-man duo in Myles Turner and Jalen Smith, which ensured the impact of his absence was minimal. 

Theis has struggled to nail down a genuine rotation spot in recent years and only seems to find his best form when donning a Celtics jersey. The move to Indiana this off-season, when he was packaged as part of the deal to acquire Malcolm Brogdon, was supposed to give Theis an opportunity to shine on a rebuilding team. Luckily for Theis, he has two years remaining on his current contract, so he will have the opportunity to rebuild some value around the league. 

However, Jalen Smith performed well in Theis' absence, which could make cracking the rotation a difficult task for the journeyman veteran center. 

Oshae Brissett, Forward: Throughout the 2022 off-season, the Pacers vastly improved their wing rotation. The additions of Aaron Nesmith and Bennedict Mathurin ensured that Brissett would be facing increased competition for playing time. As such, the fourth-year forward saw his starting opportunities severely impacted, along with his offensive role, leading to his lowest output since his rookie year, where he played just 19 games. 

Brissett will be an unrestricted free agent this summer and will likely field offers from multiple teams who are looking for a low-cost wing defender. Fortunately for Brissett, his positional diversity will ensure he continues to earn playing time next season, regardless of what team he ends up playing for. 

However, should he choose to return to the Pacers, the Syracuse product is likely to be nothing more than a backup for a Pacers team that is teeming with potential in both forward positions. As such, we may have seen the last of the 24-year-old in a Pacers jersey.