Built Not Bought: How the Indiana Pacers Rode Depth To the NBA Finals

The NBA Finals are set with the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder. Neither needed a “Big Three” to make a run. Both these teams used the old method of investing in what should be called the real “Process.” That is acquiring players and taking the time to develop them into role players that mean something. In this article, I will take you through how both of these teams built a team that could take you to the NBA Finals.

Indiana Pacers Built a Rotation Monster

The current roster of the Indiana Pacers looks much different just two seasons ago. Lets start with Aaron Nesmith who the Pacers acquired in a trade with Boston in July 2022. The trade involved Nesmith coming here along with four other developmental players in exchange for a 2023 first round pick and Malcom Brogdon.

The Tyrese Haliburton trade happened in February 2022 when the Pacers traded Domantas Sabonis, Justin Holiday, and Jeremy Lamb to the Kings. While the Pacers acquired Tyrese Haliburton, Buddy Hield, and Tristan Thompson. The moves this team made have them as an NBA Finals contender for the foreseeable future. The best way to summarize this team is that they beat you as a team and no one is above the team. Every player and coach has bought into the team philosophy and are only four games away from the team’s first NBA title.

Final Thoughts

This team is putting the league on notice. That notice is that its no longer good enough to just play six or seven players. The new way is to have 10 or 11 players that are good players on both ends of the floor and will provide winning depth. The time of having a “Big Three” or a super team is over. Both NBA Finals teams have shown everyone the new blueprint of winning in the NBA. Stay tuned to Total Apex Sports for everything during the NBA Finals.