Atlanta Hawks: Trae Young Uncertain Future Draws Strong Take From 1 Analyst 11 May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) shoots a three-point basket over New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the fourth quarter of game three of the Eastern Conference Finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

'Ask Him to Impersonate Tyrese Haliburton' – Indiana Pacers Urged to Sign 3-Time NBA All-Star Free Agent

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated Jul 31, 2025 9:18 AM ET

The Indiana Pacers are still reeling from the free agency departure of Myles Turner, who joined the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $107 million deal after waiving and stretching Damian Lillard’s contract.

The Indiana Pacers re-signed Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman to new multi-year deals and traded for Jay Huff. The Ringer’s Michael Pina recently urged the team to consider signing free agent Ben Simmons to beef up their frontcourt.

“I think there’s a perfect NBA team for him, though. One last chance for him to do something on a regular basis in a semi-relevant situation. Why not become the starting point guard for the Indiana Pacers? Throw Simmons the keys, ask him to impersonate Tyrese Haliburton, and just see what happens?” Pina proposed.

Jan 17, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Ben Simmons (10) dunks against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

“Yes, nobody will guard Simmons when he doesn’t have the ball, which is one of several key differences between him and the All-Star he’d be replacing. But if Simmons stinks, no harm, no foul! He’d be on a veteran’s minimum contract for a team with zero expectations until Haliburton’s Achilles recovers,” he added.

Indiana Pacers GM dishes on the team’s potential starting lineup next season

Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said that there would be competition for the starting shooting guard/small forward role, with Andrew Nembhard likely to assume the point guard duties.

“I think you’ve got a couple candidates, obviously Bennedict (Mathurin), Ben Sheppard, Aaron (Nesmith, currently the starting small forward), Jarace (Walker), Johnny (Furphy) — all these wing players,” Buchanan said on the Setting The Pace podcast. “Our coaches are believers in, rather than a guy being pigeonholed as a two-guard, it’s more like we have wings. Obviously some can do different things.”

“So we’ll have a little bit of a different identity, and I think we’re going to have to go through training camp to see who fits best with Drew playing the point, who fits best with this group,” he added.