The Indiana Pacers have a pivotal season ahead with Tyrese Haliburton returning in the 2026-27 season. With Haliburton back on the court, the Pacers will be among the contenders in the Eastern Conference.

However, the East is loaded with talented teams, including the defending champion New York Knicks, the Detroit Pistons with Cade Cunningham, the Cleveland Cavaliers led by Donovan Mitchell, and the Boston Celtics with Jayson Tatum.

There are also other contenders in the East who made significant upgrades, as the Miami Heat traded for Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Philadelphia 76ers added LeBron James and Jaylen Brown, and the Toronto Raptors acquired Kawhi Leonard.

With the teams around them getting better, the Pacers will need the continuity on the roster to play a big role.

Indiana's roster has changed slightly since their NBA Finals appearance in the 2024-25 season. The center position is the major shift for the Pacers, as Myles Turner left in free agency last offseason to join the Milwaukee Bucks.

Indiana replaced Turner by making a trade at the deadline to acquire Ivica Zubac. Zubac was a member of the All-Defensive Second Team in the 2024-25 season and will be a quality starter for the Pacers.

In the 2025-26 season, Zubac averaged 14.1 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game, shooting 59.8 percent from the field. He should fit well alongside Haliburton and the rest of the roster.

With the talent that the Pacers have assembled, head coach Rick Carlisle should have a clear choice for the starting five.

PG: Tyrese Haliburton

SG: Andrew Nembhard

SF: Aaron Nesmith

PF: Pascal Siakam

C: Ivica Zubac

The Pacers should have a clear choice for four of their five starters: Haliburton, Nembhard, Siakam, and Zubac. However, the starting small forward position could be up for debate between Nesmith and Kelly Oubre.

Indiana signed Oubre to a two-year, $16.5 million deal this offseason, and he will play a major role as either a starter or a key piece off the bench. In the 2025-26 season, Oubre averaged 14.1 points, five rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.

His athleticism, defense, and scoring will make him a valuable piece on the roster. However, Nesmith should get the start over him due to his ability to space the floor.

Nesmith averaged 13.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists per game, shooting 41.4 percent from the floor and 37.9 percent from behind the arc. The 26-year-old shot over 40 percent from deep in the previous two seasons and will get more open looks in the upcoming season with Haliburton returning.

The Pacers have a great starting five, and with the depth on the roster, they will look to win the East and compete for an NBA title.