Indiana Pacers Could Pursue Three-Time All-Star in Free Agency

The Indiana Pacers are entering a crucial offseason as they look to be contenders in the Eastern Conference in the 2026-27 season.

The Pacers made it to Game 7 of the NBA Finals in the 2024-25 season, but Haliburton went down with a torn Achilles tendon early in that game, causing him to miss the entire 2025-26 season.

Haliburton was having the best season of his career, hitting clutch shots throughout their run to the finals. He averaged 18.6 points per game along with 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.4 steals, shooting 47.3 percent from the floor and 38.8 percent from behind the arc.

With Haliburton out in 2025-26, Indiana struggled, finishing with a 19-63 record. Their struggles would've yielded the fifth overall pick in the draft, but the risky protections of the pick in the deadline trade for Ivica Zubac mean the Los Angeles Clippers own the selection.

Despite losing the pick, the Pacers still have a talented roster and will be able to compete with the top teams in the Eastern Conference. However, they should look to add more firepower this offseason around Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Zubac.

One player who could make a ton of sense for the Pacers is three-time All-Star Khris Middleton. Middleton is no longer a star player, but he could contribute as a solid bench player for the Pacers.

The 34-year-old is coming off a season where he averaged 10.2 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game while shooting 42 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.

Indiana already has a quality starting five with Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Siakam, and Zubac. They also have some solid talent off the bench with TJ McConnell, Ben Sheppard, Obi Toppin, and Jarace Walker. 

Adding Middleton to the bench to provide another scoring and shooting option would be a wise move.

He likely won't cost much and has playoff experience, as he was a pivotal piece of the Milwaukee Bucks' championship run in 2021.

While adding Middleton wouldn't be a blockbuster move, he could be impactful as the Pacers try to make it back to the NBA Finals in the 2026-27 season.

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