The Indiana Pacers have an opportunity to make a major statement during the 2024 NBA Playoffs. They had a wonderful regular season, going 47-35 and earning the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference.
That has lined them up to face off against the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the playoffs. The Pacers have a chance to announce their presence as the new team to watch for in the Central Division and put the rest of the NBA on notice by eliminating the Bucks.
Their task got a little bit easier when it was announced that Bucks’ star Giannis Antetokounmpo would be sidelined at the start of the series. He injured his calf on April 9th in a game against the Boston Celtics and won’t be ready for at least Game 1.
That presents the Pacers with a golden opportunity to get an early lead in the series and steal homecourt advantage. Indiana usually isn’t a popular destination for free agents, but if they can advance and show that they are a team on the cusp of contention, players will be interested in joining them.
One player to keep an eye on, according to a source who spoke to NBA Analysis Network is Paul George. George could look to have a reunion with his first NBA team as he is set to hit free agency this summer.
“I’ll say this again, the buzz between the Pacers and Paul George is much more than just smoke. Both sides are very interested in a reunion. Indiana feels that he would fit perfectly alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam.”
George was selected No. 10 overall in the 2010 NBA Draft out of Fresno State by the Pacers. He had some excellent seasons in Indiana, cementing his status as one of the better two-way players in the league.
He has kept that reputation up in the seven seasons since he left Indiana via trade to the Oklahoma City Thunder. A reunion between the two sides would make plenty of sense for everyone involved, as George is the kind of player that would help elevate the Pacers.
His defensive acumen is something the team could certainly use more of. Indiana is a high-powered offense but struggles to get stops defensively. Adding George into the lineup would give them multiple stellar defenders around Haliburton without hampering their upside offensively. If the Pacers can make the necessary room to sign George, it would be a home run acquisition.
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