The Indiana Pacers should pursue a wing in free agency to bolster the depth of their roster.
The Indiana Pacers are looking to contend for a title in the 2026-27 season with Tyrese Haliburton coming back from his torn Achilles tendon.
When Haliburton was last healthy, he led the Pacers on a surprising run to the NBA Finals and pushed the Oklahoma City Thunder to seven games. Indiana may have won the title if Haliburton didn't go down with an injury early in Game 7.
However, to return to the NBA Finals, the Pacers will need to improve their roster to compete with teams like the New York Knicks.
One player that Indiana should target in free agency and also steal away from the rival Knicks is Landry Shamet. Shamet was a key 3&D wing for New York off the bench.
In the 2025-26 season, the 29-year-old appeared in 51 games, averaging 9.3 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 43.7 percent from the field and 39.2 percent from three.
Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesShamet was also impactful in the postseason, averaging six points and 1.1 rebounds per game, shooting 45.3 percent from the floor and 47.5 percent from behind the arc.
His defense and shooting would be very valuable for the Pacers off the bench. Haliburton's playmaking elevates players around him, and with Shamet's shooting ability, he could thrive in Indiana's system.
Haliburton was efficient as a scorer and playmaker in the 2024-25 season, averaging 18.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 9.2 assists, and 1.4 steals, shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 38.8 percent from deep.
The Pacers have a talented roster with a starting five of Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Ivica Zubac, and bench pieces of TJ McConnell, Ben Sheppard, Jarace Walker, Obi Toppin, and Jay Huff.
Adding Shamet to the mix would make Indiana one of the deepest teams in the East and give them a legitimate chance to dethrone the Knicks and make it back to the NBA Finals.
The Pacers have their superstar, Haliburton, set to return and a ton of depth, which should make them a dangerous team in the East, especially if they can add a player like Shamet in free agency.
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