Encouraging report from the Pacers star

"Man, my body feels good," Haliburton began.

This is less than eight months from the injury.

“Just started playing 3-3 and 4-4 full court that’s been good," he continued. "I’m playing with interns and player development guys and I feel so nice and think I can play in the NBA right now. Then the other day had the low minute guys come in and play with us. So I’m guarding Bennedict Mathurin told him to go at me I’m fine need to see where I’m at. He hesi me one time he was at the rim I was still at the 3 point line. I was like I still got some time."

There's no rush, not with the Pacers well out of the play-in picture, let alone the playoff picture. The rest of this season is about finding the right pieces to fit Haliburton when he returns, ideally next training camp. Mathurin, Jarace Walker and other young Pacers have been given greater chances to step up this season, with mixed results.

While it's unclear if the Pacers will sell off any pieces prior to the Feb. 5 trade deadline, or if they will try to add a starting center they can take into next season, what is clear is that they will be bolstering the roster in the draft. The next class is considered can't-miss, and Indiana could be in good shape to add an elite prospect anywhere in the top end of the lottery.

So maybe Haliburton will be able to hit the ground running with a re-energized group.