The fans of the Indiana Pacers are going to be very happy with this new hot take.
As the Indiana Pacers enter the new NBA season, the big storyline around the team will be centered on the return of star guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Haliburton missed the entire 2025-26 NBA season after tearing his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals. Without the guard, Indiana couldn't replicate any of the success that they had the previous season, winning just 19 games last year.
But with Haliburton back, Indiana is expected to reclaim their spot atop the Eastern Conference as one of the better teams. Since Haliburton went down, the Pacers roster does look a little different.
Gone is center Myles Turner, signing with the Milwaukee Bucks, while forward Bennedict Mathurin left this offseason to join the New Orleans Pelicans. These were to main scoring options for the Pacers while Halliburton was on the team two years ago, giving the Pacers a new-look in a way.
Ivica Zubac now mans the middle for the Pacers, while Kelly Oubre Jr. takes the Mathurin role. Young forward Jarace Walker will also be looked at to keep developing and improving his game this coming year.
But as Haliburton gets ready to make his return, there is real excitement around him. NBA analyst Grant Hughes put together a hot take on every team in the league, with Indiana's being that Haliburton will have a career year.
"Part of this is an effort to speak Tyrese Haliburton's full recovery into existence. The NBA is better when singularly transformative offensive forces like him are healthy. The trickle-down effect is that the Indiana Pacers also get right back to serious contention in this hypothetical," Grant wrote.
Having Haliburton allows the Pacers to get back to being the explosive team on offense. In the playoffs two years ago, Indiana was one of the most fun teams to watch, with the Pacers going up and down the court with ease.
Haliburton also brings a certain level of credibility whenever on the floor, being the general of the unit. Without him last season, others tried to be the playmaker for the Pacers, falling short in their attempt.
All in all, Halliburton could have an extra chip on his shoulder this season to remind everyone around the league who he is on the court. The Pacers should get back to being a true contender, and if that happens, Haliburton could be in line to make this hot take come true.
