Pacers Should Target 6th Man of the Year Candidate in Free Agency

The Indiana Pacers struggled in the 2025-26 season, finishing with a 19-63 record. A large part of that was star guard Tyrese Haliburton, who missed the season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals.

However, all the losses didn't do the Pacers any good, as a risky protection on their 2026 draft pick, which they sent in the deal to acquire Ivica Zubac, ended with the Los Angeles Clippers owning the fifth overall pick.

Despite not having a top draft pick, Indiana still has a talented roster and will be a threat to win the Eastern Conference.

However, they could still use some more firepower and should be aggressive this offseason to do so. 

One player they should pursue is Tim Hardaway Jr., who finished third in 6th Man of the Year voting this season.

Hardaway Jr. was very productive for the Denver Nuggets, averaging 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game. The 34-year-old shot 44.7 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three.

He would be a major addition to the Pacers, as he could be a sparkplug and shooter off the bench. 

Indiana's starting lineup appears to be set with Haliburton, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and Zubac, but they could use more rotational pieces off the bench.

Bennedict Mathurin previously served as the scorer off the bench before he was included in the Zubac trade. If Indiana can sign Hardaway Jr. to take over their bench scoring role, they would suddenly have one of the best bench units in the league.

They have their bench point guard in TJ McConnell as well as some talented young players in Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard. Obi Toppin also had some very impactful moments for the Pacers on their deep playoff run in 2025, and Jay Huff proved to be a solid option at center this season. 

While the Pacers would love to have the fifth overall pick in the upcoming draft, Kevin Pritchard has still constructed a competitive roster, and adding a 6th man like Hardaway Jr. in free agency could make a difference. 

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