Krysten shares who she has No. 1 on her big board — and why, before breaking down the rest of her top four, including AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cameron Boozer, and Caleb Wilson.

The conversation dives into:

• Strengths and weaknesses of each prospect
• Player comparisons — and whether they’re fair or overblown
• Which player makes the most sense for Indiana
• The personalities behind the prospects — from Dybantsa and Wilson’s charisma to Boozer’s laid-back demeanor

Krysten also explains why the criticism surrounding Peterson’s time at Kansas has been completely overblown and highlights a player outside the Top 4 who has the best chance to break into that tier.

Draft insight, behind-the-scenes perspective, and one of the most informed voices in the space.

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The guys start by examining how the second-worst record in the NBA has fared under the flattened lottery odds, and what that could mean for the Pacers.

Then, they zoom out and take a broader look at the history of the No. 2 pick, discussing how often teams actually land a franchise-changing player in that spot.

To wrap things up, Alex ranks the seven most recent No. 2 overall picks, evaluating where they stand today and projecting their futures to determine who truly belongs at the top of the list.

A mix of history, analytics and projection to better understand what landing at No. 2 really means for Indiana.

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The guys start with the WNBA Draft, where Indiana selected Raven Johnson, Justine Pissott and Jessica Timmons, discussing how each player fits and what they could bring to the roster.

Then, they dive into free agency, including the additions of Mo Billings, Ty Harris and Myisha Hines-Allen, along with key re-signings like Sophie Cunningham, Lexie Hull, Kelsey Mitchell and Damiris Dantas.

To wrap things up, Alex and Casey look at training camp signings, including Megan McConnell (sister of Pacers guard T.J. McConnell) and Kayana Traylor, and what these players will be competing for heading into the season.

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Haliburton shared how difficult the recovery process has been, including not being fully over the illness, trying different medications, and dealing with noticeable weight gain as a result.

The guys also discuss:

• Haliburton’s excitement to play alongside Ivica Zubac and how he believes he can thrive with different types of centers
• The latest injury update on Johnny Furphy
• Kobe Brown expressing interest in returning to Indiana

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To wrap things up, the guys hand out season grades for all 17 players who saw the floor this year, evaluating performances, growth, expectations and overall impact.

Who exceeded expectations?
Who disappointed?
And which players showed enough to be part of Indiana’s future?

Alex and Facci go player-by-player, offering honest breakdowns and final report cards for the entire roster.

A full season review, honest evaluations and a final look at where things stand heading into a pivotal offseason.

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The couple shares the story behind that now-famous clip, what they were actually talking about, and how they reacted to suddenly becoming viral stars.

But that’s just the beginning.

Alex dives into:

• Why this isn’t their first time going viral
• The overwhelming response from fans praising their relationship and chemistry
• Their advice for other couples
• Their shared love for the Indiana Pacers
• Going to Indiana University together
• And their experience traveling to Miami for the Championship game

A fun, genuine and memorable conversation with two fans who captured the internet’s attention — and represent what being a Pacers fan is all about.

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The Indiana Pacers have lost enough games to secure the best odds for the No. 1 overall pick, and to retain their top-4 pick.

On this solo episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden breaks down what this means for the franchise moving forward — and puts this season into historical perspective.

Alex discusses:

• Why this will go down as the worst record in Pacers franchise history, regardless of Sunday’s result
• How the 1982-83 season led to the No. 2 overall pick, and how that selection ultimately played out for Indiana
• And what recent draft history tells us about picks outside the Top 4, particularly in the 5–9 range

With the lottery now in focus, the conversation shifts to what matters most: landing in that Top 4.

A painful season… but potentially a franchise-altering outcome.

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In Episode 1, Alex and Casey go all the way into the offseason bag.

The guys break down:

• How the new WNBA CBA could reshape roster building
• What the Fever roster could look like next season
• Which players should return — and who might be on the way out
• Key free agents that could fit Indiana’s needs
• Where the team’s biggest roster hole currently sits
• Potential draft targets to keep an eye on

Plus, they discuss how the Fever’s new $78 million practice facility could be a game changer in attracting top talent to Indiana.

A new show. A fresh perspective. And a deep dive into the future of Fever basketball.

Welcome to Fever Focus.

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Alex opens the show by breaking down Indiana’s NBA Draft assets, including what second-round picks they hold this year and in the future, and how much cash flexibility they have to potentially buy into the draft.

Then, he shifts to roster decisions:

• Which players are free agents this summer
• Who is on non-guaranteed deals
• And how the Pacers could approach each situation

Next, Alex dives into extension-eligible players, what decisions loom for key pieces, and how landing a Top-4 pick would impact both the salary cap and rotation moving forward.

He also discusses the potential futures of Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard as they approach restricted free agency down the line, and what that could mean for roster construction.

To close, Alex zooms out to show just how much the roster has already changed — comparing this team to last year’s Finals roster and even back to when Tyrese Haliburton first arrived in 2021-22.

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Despite the loss, there were some positives to take away. Ethan Thompson turned in a strong performance, continuing to show growth, while Jalen Slawson provided solid minutes off the bench once again.

However, the game ultimately slipped away due to turnovers and sloppy execution, allowing Minnesota to take control — especially during a decisive third quarter run.

Facci and Destin discuss:

• What went wrong for Indiana
• The impact of turnovers on the outcome
• Encouraging signs from Thompson and Slawson
• And how the Timberwolves took over in the second half
• Jarace Walker's return from injury

A frustrating loss, but still plenty to evaluate moving forward.

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Alex and Facci are back with a deep dive into the NBA Draft, breaking down Alex’s latest two-round mock draft for Sports Illustrated and how it impacts the Pacers.

With the No. 2 overall pick, Alex has Indiana selecting Darryn Peterson, and the guys discuss how that choice would reshape the roster and what it means for the team’s future.

They also debate a key question:

Should the Pacers take Cameron Boozer over Peterson at No. 2?
What does each prospect bring and how would either fit into Indiana’s long-term plan?

Later in the show, things get even more interesting.

Alex projects a mid-first round trade, sending Jarace Walker to the Charlotte Hornets for Pick No. 16, where Indiana selects Cameron Carr, a 6-foot-6 wing from Baylor.

The guys break down:

• Whether Carr is the right fit at 16
• Other players Indiana could target in that range
• Why the Pacers might consider moving Jarace
• And if Pick 16 is fair value for Walker

A full mock draft breakdown, roster construction debate, and big-picture thinking about Indiana’s future.

If you want to read Alex's full Mock Draft, here is the link! 

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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back to recap the Cavaliers’ win over the Pacers. It was a loss that, combined with Brooklyn’s victory, moves Indiana to the 2nd worst record in the NBA.

Despite the loss, there were plenty of standout moments.

Micah Potter delivered an incredible performance and added a memorable personal moment with a gender reveal at the start of the game, using the color of his shoes to share the news with family, friends, and fans.

The guys also discuss:

• Jalen Slawson’s career-high scoring night
• Obi Toppin’s season-high performance
• Jay Huff flashing some impressive passing ability
• Tough shooting nights from Ethan Thompson and Kam Jones

To close things out, Alex and Facci fire up Tankathon for two spins to see how the lottery odds shake out for Indiana.

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Alex Golden is joined by Brad Knight of The Pacers Post Up for a fun and debate-filled episode of Setting The Pace.

The guys kick things off by diving into a hot topic circulating on social media: should the Pacers prioritize Jarace Walker over Aaron Nesmith moving forward? Alex and Brad break down both players, their roles, development trajectories and what each brings to Indiana’s future. (2:05)

Then, the tone shifts to something a little more laid back.

The guys go through all 18 players on the roster and try their hand at giving each player a nickname — some serious, some creative, and some that might actually stick. (31:40)

A mix of thoughtful debate and lighthearted fun to round out a loaded episode.

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Facci breaks down Thompson’s big night and what stood out most from Indiana’s performance as they continue to evaluate talent late in the season.

He also dives into:

• How this win impacts the inverse standings and lottery positioning
• How the Sacramento Kings helped Indiana out with a win over Toronto
• And what all of this means for the Pacers’ chances moving forward

To close things out, Facci fires up Tankathon for one spin to see where the Pacers could land.

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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with a loaded episode.

The guys start with a deep dive into the season Andrew Nembhard is having, breaking down key stats, growth areas and how his game has evolved throughout the year. Is this a true breakout… or just the beginning?

Then, they compare two key pieces from Indiana’s 2022 class, looking at how Nembhard and Bennedict Mathurin stack up this season and what each player brings to the table.

To close things out, Facci shares his favorite moments from Mathurin’s Pacers career, reflecting on the highs and what made him such an impactful player during his time in Indiana.

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From statement victories to unexpected performances, the guys revisit the moments that gave fans something to hold onto and discuss why these wins mattered in the bigger picture.

Then, the conversation shifts to a serious topic around the league.

Alex and David discuss the situation involving Jaden Ivey, who was reportedly waived by the Chicago Bulls following comments inappropriate comments. The guys share their thoughts on the situation; how multiple Pacers fans wanted him in the NBA Draft and how that not working was a good thing for Indiana.

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The guys start with Bennedict Mathurin’s emotional return, reflecting on the moment and what it meant for both Mathurin and the Pacers.

They then break down the wild ending to Pacers-Clippers, one of the more chaotic finishes of the season, before shifting to Indiana’s continued dominance over Miami as they blast the Heat once again.

Plus, Alex and Casey share an exciting announcement about more basketball coverage together, and Casey wraps things up with a major personal announcement involving his band.

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What happens if the Pacers don’t land a Top-4 pick?

The guys explore Indiana’s options, from draft strategy to potential pivots, and what it would mean for the team’s roster-building approach moving forward.

Then, they zoom out to the bigger picture.

How long is the championship window for the Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam era? Are the Pacers on the clock, or is there still runway to build this thing the right way?

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Mike Facci is joined by Derek Kramer of iPacers to break down an electric night from Andrew Nembhard, who dished out a career-high 19 assists against a star-studded Lakers team led by Luka Dončić and LeBron James.

The Pacers found themselves in a massive hole early, but battled back in impressive fashion — cutting the deficit to just six and giving themselves a real shot at a stunning comeback.

Facci and Derek discuss:

• Nembhard’s incredible playmaking performance
• How Indiana nearly flipped the game late
• What fueled the comeback effort
• And what ultimately fell short

A near miracle, a breakout performance, and plenty to unpack from a wild night in LA.

You can read Alex's game recap on Sports Illustrated here: Luka and LeBron Too Much for Nembhard, Pacers

Read Alex's Latest NBA Mock Draft! You can also check out Alex's latest article on AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, and Darryn Peterson.

•  Mock Draft: Pre–Sweet 16 NBA Mock Draft: Indiana Pacers Make Aggressive Trade
• Top 3 Deep Dive: Pacers Draft Watch: Boozer, Dybantsa and Peterson Impress in Opening Weekend

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Alex Golden is joined by Bob Kravitz for a deep dive into the top prospects in the upcoming NBA Draft.

The conversation starts with Bob’s thoughts on the Zubac/Mathurin trade, before shifting into a detailed breakdown of the draft’s biggest names.

Bob shares why he believes AJ Dybantsa is a lock for the No. 1 overall pick, explains why Darryn Peterson may be more misunderstood than problematic, and raises concerns about the ceiling of Cameron Boozer.

The guys also discuss:

• The intrigue surrounding Caleb Wilson
• Why Darius Acuff projects as a true offensive engine
• And the impressive talent of Keaton Wagler

This episode is packed with strong opinions, draft insight and big-picture perspective on the future of the league.

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The streak is finally over.

The Indiana Pacers snap their franchise-worst 16-game losing streak, thanks to a dominant 37-point performance from Pascal Siakam, who continues to shine despite a challenging season for the team.

Alex and Facci break down what went right in the win, how Siakam took control of the game, and whether this performance can carry momentum into the final stretch of the season.

Then, the guys shift gears to the future as we dive into Alex's latest Mock Draft for Sports Illustrated, walking through key selections, potential fits for Indiana, and how the draft board could shake out depending on lottery position.

A long-awaited win… and a look ahead at what’s next for the Pacers.

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Ivica Zubac is out for the season, and the guys discuss what this means for Indiana’s short-term outlook and long-term plans at the center position.

Then, they turn their attention to the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, where the top 3 draft prospects delivered big-time performances. Who stood out? And which of the 3 could realistically fit what Indiana needs?

The conversation also shifts to roster-building philosophy, specifically how the Pacers have historically navigated overpaying at the center position.

And finally, things get a little heated...The guys react to recent comments from Myles Turner, sharing their thoughts on his perspective and why his words about Indiana raised some eyebrows. Especially calling Indiana a city...

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What’s the right way to build an NBA team?

The guys dive into the idea of “Built vs Bought”, using the Pacers as a case study to examine how Indiana has constructed its roster — through development, trades and patience — rather than chasing stars in free agency.

They discuss:

• How the Pacers have built their current core
• Whether there’s a true “right” or “wrong” way to team build
• How Indiana’s approach compares to teams that buy talent through trades or free agency
• And what strategy gives teams the best chance to sustain success

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Despite the result, there were some intriguing developments.

The guys discuss Jalen Slawson’s career night, as he stepped up in a big way and made the most of his opportunity. They also highlight how the third unit nearly sparked an unlikely comeback, showing energy and fight late in the game.

Facci and Derek dive into:

• What went wrong in the loss
• Why the losing streak has reached this point
• The encouraging signs from Slawson and the deep bench
• And how the Ivica Zubac trade continues to factor into the bigger picture

A brutal stretch continues… but there are still things worth watching.

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The Pacers drop their 14th straight game, setting a new franchise record for the longest losing streak. The guys start by unpacking how it happened, what went wrong in this latest loss, and why this stretch has spiraled the way it has.

Then, the episode shifts into full evaluation mode.

Alex, Brad and Ryan play a game of “Should He Stay or Should He Go?”, going through the bottom 11 players on the roster and debating who should realistically be part of the team next season.

• Who’s worth keeping?
• Who’s expendable?
• And who still has something to prove?

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Alex Golden is joined by Kevin Bowen for a deep dive into one of the most consequential moves the Pacers have made in recent years.

The guys start by evaluating Bennedict Mathurin’s play since being traded to the Clippers, looking at how he’s fitting into his new situation and whether early returns are matching expectations.

Then they shift to Indiana, breaking down Ivica Zubac’s first three games as a Pacer and what early signs suggest about his long-term fit with the roster.

Alex and Kevin also discuss the risk versus reward of the trade, why the move could define the Pacers’ next era, and how it feels like many of Indiana’s future eggs are now in one basket.

To close, the conversation turns toward the offseason: what this roster still needs next year—especially if the Pacers don’t land a Top-4 pick in the draft.

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Alex and Facci break down the game, including Aaron Nesmith setting a new career high, providing one of the few bright spots on a difficult night for Indiana.

The guys also discuss:

• Why Ivica Zubac could look even better once the Pacers are back at full strength
• Jalen Slawson earning his first NBA start and what he showed in the opportunity
• Kam Jones continuing to make an impact, including a career high in made threes
• The decision-making defensively and why Jarace Walker wasn’t tasked with guarding Giannis

And of course… the guys close things out with two Tankathon simulations for Friday’s game and today’s matchup to see what the lottery luck might look like.

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The debut, however, came during a rough stretch for Indiana as the Pacers dropped their 11th straight game. Facci and Montieth break down what they saw from Zubac in his first appearance and what expectations should realistically be for him going forward.

The conversation then zooms out as Mark shares perspective on previous struggling Pacers teams, comparing this stretch to other difficult seasons in franchise history and what ultimately helped those teams turn things around.

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Alex Golden is joined by Kent Sterling for a wide-ranging episode of Setting The Pace.

The guys begin by diving into the Top 4 prospects in the upcoming NBA Draft (pre–March Madness) and debating which player would fit best with the Pacers. They also discuss whether a rookie could realistically step in and start over one of Indiana’s established players, or if the team would ease a top pick into the rotation.

Then things get a little spicy.

Kent shares his Top 5 dumbest quotes from Myles Turner, sparking a conversation about Turner’s tenure in Indiana and why, in hindsight, his departure may have been the right move for the franchise long-term.

To close the show, the guys turn their attention to Jarace Walker, discussing why this season could end up being the turning point in his development and what his growth could mean for the Pacers moving forward.

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The guys break down the game, including Devin Carter erupting for 24 second-half points to power Sacramento to the comeback victory. They also highlight some strong performances from Indiana despite the loss, including Aaron Nesmith setting a first-half career high, Kam Jones knocking down a career-high number of threes, and Obi Toppin continuing to see increased minutes since returning from injury.

To close the show, Alex and David have some fun with a “First Overall Picks Draft”, selecting from the #1 picks between 2017–2026 to build their ideal starting fives.

Game recap, lottery implications, player performances and a fun draft exercise to wrap things up.

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APPLY TO BE ON SURVIVOR INDIANAPOLIS!

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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are joined by FanDuel Sports Network’s Jeremiah Johnson for a wide-ranging conversation about the current state of the Indiana Pacers.

Jeremiah shares his perspective from being around the team all season, discussing where things currently stand, what he’s seen from the roster, and how the Pacers could be positioned moving forward.

Then the conversation shifts to something a little more fun.

The guys debate their Mt. Rushmore of visiting NBA arenas — the road environments that stand out most across the league — along with a few travel stories along the way.

And of course… laughs were had with several "white noise" jokes.

A great mix of Pacers insight, NBA travel talk and plenty of laughs with one of the most familiar voices around the team.

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The guys start with a recap of the latest loss and what continues to go wrong during Indiana’s extended skid. But with the season nearing its end, the conversation quickly shifts to evaluating the roster as a whole.

Who has been the biggest disappointment for the Pacers this season?
Which players have exceeded expectations and emerged as pleasant surprises?

Alex and Facci go through the roster to highlight the performances that have stood out, discussing who has been disappointing and who has been surprising. 

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Alex Golden opens the show with a quick solo recap of the Pacers’ loss to the Lakers, where Luka Dončić erupted for 44 points in just three quarters, overwhelming Indiana in a dominant performance. Alex shares his thoughts on what went wrong for the Pacers and the defensive struggles that allowed Luka to take control of the game.

Then, Noblesville Boom GM Chris Taylor joins the show to discuss several players who have recently made an impact within Indiana’s development pipeline. Chris shares insights on Jalen Slawson, Quenton Jackson, Taelon Peter, Kam Jones and Ethan Thompson, what each player has shown this season, and how their growth could factor into future opportunities.

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Alex Golden is joined by Tom Lewis to look ahead to next season and make six bold predictions about the future of the Indiana Pacers.

From potential breakout seasons to major team milestones, the guys each bring their hottest takes on what could be in store for Indiana next year.

• Will someone make a leap into stardom?
• Could the Pacers take a massive step up the Eastern Conference standings?
• Are there surprise contributors waiting to emerge?

Alex and Tom each share three bold predictions and explain why they believe these outcomes are very much in play.

Some may sound crazy now… but bold predictions are meant to be.

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The Pacers fall to the Clippers 130-107, but the final score wasn’t the biggest storyline of the night.

For the first time since the Zubac trade, Indiana faced Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson — two players the Pacers drafted, developed and ultimately moved at the deadline. Naturally, all eyes were on how the former Pacers performed against their old team.

Did Mathurin look like the scorer Clippers fans were hoping for?
Did Isaiah Jackson flash the athleticism Pacers fans remember?
And what did this matchup reveal about the trade from both sides?

Alex and Casey Johnson break down the performances from Mathurin and Jackson, what stood out in the reunion game, and what this matchup told us about where both franchises are headed.

Plus, the guys discuss Indiana’s struggles in the loss, what went wrong defensively, and the bigger picture implications as the Pacers continue navigating this late-season stretch.

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Mike Facci is joined by Keith Smith of Spotrac for a deep dive into the Indiana Pacers’ financial future and how upcoming decisions could shape the franchise.

The guys break down what Indiana’s salary cap situation could look like next season, including how things change depending on whether the Pacers land a Top-4 pick in the draft or not.

They also discuss the potential financial impact of extending Bennedict Mathurin, and what a contract north of $100 million could mean for the Clippers moving forward.

Other topics include:

• The difference between being a luxury tax team and crossing the first apron
• Why Indiana made the move to acquire Ivica Zubac at the deadline despite not prioritizing short-term wins
• The broader conversation around tanking in today’s NBA
• And how the Eastern Conference landscape could shift next season with teams like Toronto, Charlotte, Milwaukee and Philadelphia all facing pivotal offseason decisions

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Alex Golden is joined by special guest Brett Evans for a big-picture conversation about refining the Pacers’ timeline.

In what many have labeled a “gap season,” several unexpected contributors have shined like diamonds in the rough: Taelon Peter, Quenton Jackson, Ethan Thompson and Kam Jones have all made cases that Indiana’s depth and development infrastructure deserve real credit.

Are these just flashes in a transitional year or legitimate rotation pieces for a rising contender?

The guys discuss the importance of strategic patience, why Indiana doesn’t need to rush its championship window, and what it means to properly gatekeep your own talent instead of overreacting to outside noise.

Plus, they zoom out and evaluate how the Pacers stack up in the Eastern Conference next season. Which teams are real threats? Who could make a leap? And where does Indiana realistically slot in if internal growth continues?

This episode is about discipline. Development. And protecting the long-term vision.

Refine the timeline. Don’t skip steps.

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The Pacers have converted Quenton Jackson to a standard contract — a clear sign the organization values what he’s brought during this stretch.

On this episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden and Mike Facci break down what the move means for Indiana’s roster flexibility, rotation outlook and long-term plans.

We also dive into the recent play of Micah Potter. Is this simply inflated production on a struggling team? Or is Potter legitimately proving he deserves a spot in Indiana’s future plans? The guys debate whether what we’re seeing translates when the games matter more.

Plus, we look ahead to the Pacers’ March schedule key matchups and how this stretch could shape draft positioning.

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Obi Toppin is back. After being out since October 26, Toppin returns to the lineup — but the Pacers fall for the fifth straight game as the late-season slide continues.

On this episode of Setting The Pace, Ben Brooks joins Alex Golden and we break down:

• What Toppin’s return means for the rotation
• Encouraging flashes from Kam Jones
• Micah Potter continuing to capitalize on his opportunity
• Jay Huff’s role and where he fits moving forward

With the losses piling up, the lottery positioning conversation isn’t going anywhere. The guys debate who should represent the Pacers at the draft lottery and what kind of message that sends.

And of course…we fire up Tankathon and spin it twice for the final two games to see what fate has in store.

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Alex opens the show with a quick but important round of updates:

• Johnny Furphy undergoes successful ACL surgery and what that means for his recovery timeline
• Obi Toppin is listed as questionable after being out since October 26
• Ryan Carr departs the Pacers for Indiana University and what that could mean behind the scenes

Then, Alex and Facci dive into one of the more fascinating exercises of the season.

The guys rank the Pacers’ “developmental group” — essentially the bottom 10 players on the roster — to determine who holds the most value to the franchise outside of the established top 10 rotation pieces.

• Who has real upside?
• Who’s just depth?
• Who could actually factor into Indiana’s long-term plans?

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Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/PACE and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!

Rick Carlisle revealed on his weekly 107.5 The Fan radio segment why the Pacers were fined $100,000 for violating the NBA’s Player Participation Policy. Carlisle said the league indicated the team could have medicated Aaron Nesmith, who was ruled out with a hand injury and unable to use it properly, in order to make him available.

Those on-air comments prompted a response from an NBA spokesperson defending the league’s investigation and ruling.

Pre-game, Carlisle doubled down, telling media he prioritizes player health above everything — and that both he and Nesmith were extremely bothered by the fine. But also said he was done talking about the matter. 

Facci and David break down:

• The league’s reasoning
• Carlisle’s public response
• The balance between compliance and player safety
• And what this means for Indiana moving forward

Plus, the Pacers fall for the fourth straight time, this time to Philadelphia, but not without a major bright spot. Micah Potter delivered a career night, pouring in 23 points and continuing to make the most of his opportunity.

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We start with the recent uproar surrounding potential NBA Draft Lottery changes. Are the overreactions justified? Or is this simply the league trying to balance competitive integrity with long-term team building?

Then we shift to the Pacers.

Why Indiana made the move for Ivica Zubac

What they gave up — and how the league views the deal

And what Bennedict Mathurin’s future realistically looks like with the Clippers

From there, we zoom ahead to the Summer of 2026. What are executives around the league preparing for? Which teams are positioning themselves? And why does Giannis Antetokounmpo once again loom as the storyline that could reshape everything?

Visit PrizePicks.com and use code PACE and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!

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We start with the surprising news that Tyrese Haliburton is dealing with shingles — what this means for his recovery timeline and what fans should realistically expect moving forward.

Then we discuss the Pacers dropping three straight games out of the All-Star break. While the losses sting, they’ve also boosted Indiana’s draft lottery positioning. Is losing games better for the team in the long run, or could this decision hurt them later?

Despite the loss, Kobe Brown poured in a career-high scoring night. What are we seeing from him lately, and is there more there than initially expected?

We also revisit the Ivica Zubac trade — what Indiana gave up, why they made the move, and how we’re feeling about it now with more context.

And to close it out… we fire up Tankathon and spin the wheel twice for the final two games to see what fate has in store.

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We also dive into the on-court developments:

• Jarace Walker’s big game and what it says about his continued growth and confidence
• Jay Huff playing meaningful, productive minutes and making his case in the rotation
• Taelon Peter finding his three-point shot, showing real progress offensively
• And injury updates on Kam Jones and Aaron Nesmith, and how their absences are impacting the rotation and evaluation process

Then we zoom out...With reports that the league is preparing to enforce stricter anti-tanking rules beginning in 2027, we discuss what that could mean for teams like Indiana moving forward. Is this the final window for strategic positioning? And how might the NBA reshape draft incentives?

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This one dives into long-term planning and front office dynamics.

With Tyrese Haliburton working his way back and TJ McConnell battling injuries, do the Pacers prioritize drafting a young point guard in the second round… or bring in a proven veteran to stabilize the bench?

We discuss:

• When Indiana should realistically address the backup PG spot
• Thoughts on Braden Smith as a late first/early second-round option
• Whether the Pacers even have a second-round pick to work with
• And how much influence Rick Carlisle truly has in roster construction

Plus:

• James Johnson’s future with the team
• How much longer Rick coaches in Indiana
• And the ongoing “tanking” debate — are the Pacers actually doing it?

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With Bennedict Mathurin gone, the Pacers are clearly missing that spark-plug scoring punch off the bench. Do you replace that production with a veteran 6th-man type in free agency? Or, if Indiana lands a Top-4 pick, can a rookie realistically fill that void right away?

We also debate:

• Has Quenton Jackson earned a rotation spot over Sheppard?
• Which realistic names around the league could replace Mathurin’s bench scoring?
• Will Indiana adjust its offense to better fit Ivica Zubac?
• How much will Zu’s interior defense impact this team in 2026/27?
• And are we seriously parking Zubac in the corner? If so… why trade for him?

Plus, we touch on draft assets and second-round pick flexibility.

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We dive into the 2026 pick scenario — if the selection conveys to the Clippers at 5–9, do the Pacers pivot aggressively in free agency to make up for the lost asset? Or do they stay patient and bet on internal development, hoping Jarace Walker (or another young piece) makes the leap?

Then we tackle the ultimate draft dilemma:

If this is viewed as a 3-player draft and Indiana lands at No. 4… what’s the move? Trade up? Trade out? Stand firm and trust your board?

And of course, the backup center conversation isn’t going anywhere.

We discuss:

• What archetype makes the most sense behind Zubac
• Whether an offense-first option like Huff is redundant
• If a defensive presence (Yves Missi type?) is the smarter route
• And the reliability debate: Potter vs Huff

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“Lottery & League Politics”

• Tanking fine — could this cost the 2026 1st or future draft capital? (Iron Charger)
• Will the recent fine deter the Pacers from tanking? (VerRuddison)
• What should they do after the punishment? Get creative? Lean in? (Crystal)
• How creative do we get with lineups now that the NBA is watching? (Josh)
• Bottom-4 record vs protecting pick, lottery odds breakdown (Nick Ogren)

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We discuss:

• The trade deadline deal for Ivica Zubac and why Indiana felt it was the right move
• The reality of this team’s championship window
• What fans should realistically expect when Tyrese Haliburton returns
• The continued growth of Pascal Siakam — both on and off the floor
• Where Jarace Walker has made the biggest strides
• The improvements from Andrew Nembhard this season
• Indiana’s open roster spot and the evaluation of Quenton Jackson

And in one of the more candid parts of the interview, Chad reflects on how difficult it was to trade two players drafted and developed in-house, Bennedict Mathurin and Isaiah Jackson.

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Alex Golden is joined Brad and Ryan Knight to break down a hypothetical expansion draft scenario: if Indiana can only protect 8 players, who makes the cut?

We debate:

• The untouchables
• The tough calls
• The young upside swings
• And which veterans might be left exposed

Then we zoom out.

Looking ahead to next season, what does this Pacers roster still need? Another creator? More size? Defensive versatility? A microwave scorer? We connect the expansion draft conversation to the bigger picture of roster construction and long-term sustainability.

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No fear. No backing down. Just execution.

Alex Golden breaks down what this win means, how Indiana controlled key stretches, and why winning in that environment still carries weight, especially against New York.

Then, Tomer Azarly joins from Clutch Points to dive into Ivica Zubac’s media availability, as well as Lawerence Frank's, Clippers President of Basketball Operations.

Zubac spoke about:

• Playing alongside Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam
• How his role in Indiana will differ from what it was with the Clippers
• And testing out his jumper to see if this offense can unlock another layer of his game

Is there more offensive upside here than we’ve seen before?
How does his skill set evolve in this system?
And what should expectations realistically be?

Frank spoke about:

• The difficulty in trading Zubac
• Indiana offering a "godfather" offer
• What Zu meant to the Clippers organization

Big win. Big picture discussion. And potentially a big evolution at the center position.

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We start off the show with unfortunate news. Johnny Furphy will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL, a brutal setback for a young player who was just beginning to carve out his place. We talk about what this means for his development, how difficult the mental side of this journey can be, and what it means for Indiana’s depth moving forward
 

You can read all of my latest articles for Pacers on SI, by following this link here!
 

If you like the show, please leave us a 5-Star rating and review!

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The Indiana Pacers fall 105-99 to the Milwaukee Bucks… but was this the kind of loss that helps more than it hurts We break down the implications for Indiana’s lottery positioning and how this is the type of outcome that benefits the franchise long-term.

With Bennedict Mathurin now in Los Angeles, what does this mean for Jarace Walker’s role moving forward? Is this the runway he needs? We discuss how the rotation shifts, what Jarace must improve, and what the Pacers are evaluating over these final games.

Plus:

• If Indiana doesn’t land a Top-4 pick, should they target a microwave scorer in free agency?
• What archetype makes the most sense?
• Who does Tyler Christian love in this upcoming draft class?
• Big-picture talk. Roster-building strategy. Honest evaluation.
• This one’s for the fans thinking two steps ahead.

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The conversation also covers Kobe Brown’s upside, Bennedict Mathurin’s fit with the Clippers, Isaiah Jackson’s role, and what direction LA is heading.

If you want real insight from someone who’s covered Zu every night, tap in.

Also, you can check out all of Alex's written work at Pacers on SI! Click this link to read more!

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Follow along with all of the Indiana Pacers news HERE at Alex's live news and rumor tracker!

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To keep up with all of the latest news around the league, please follow this link. I will have the latest intel and rumors all in one place for Pacers fans to see what the Indiana Pacers are up to, at least what the rumor mill is saying they're up to.

Link to our Trade Ideas Podcast! 

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Plus, be sure to check out Alex Golden’s work over at Sports Illustrated, where he’ll be running a live article all week with news, updates, and the latest rumors around the league leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline. 

• 4 Team Trade between Milwaukee, Indiana, New Orleans and the LA Clippers
• Myles Turner on the Trading Block with Looming Giannis Trade

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Trade 1 - 1:22 (Facci's)

Trade 2 - 8:05 (Facci's)

Trade 3 - 14:40 (Facci's)

Trade 4 - 23:15 (Alex's)

Trade 5 - 30:05 (Alex's)

Trade 6 - 34:00 (Alex's)

Trade 7 - 36:15 (Alex's)

Trade 8 - 43:55 (Alex's 3 team deal)

Trade 9 - 52:27 (Alex's 4 team deal)

For audio listeners, numbers will be off by 1:30 - 3:00 with advertisements added in after timestamps were added. 

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In the final segment, Alex shares some fun facts about the Pacers-Hawks matchup since the 2023-2024 season! He then shares his thoughts on prospects AJ Dybants and Darryn Peterson. What to make of a one-game sample size, and what to make of Peterson not playing most of the 2nd half.

Super loaded show but hope you enjoy! 

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Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoyed this miniseries! Tomorrow, we put a bow on everything and share with you a Top 10 ranking of centers from our entire 30 episodes. 

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Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Indiana Pacers! NEW episode out on January 30th!

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Jalen Duren is a RFA this season, but will the Pistons offer him the contract he deserves? If not, could Indy swoop in? Isaiah Stewart is crazy, but he is a high-level impact player. Is he too crazy for the Pacers to send a trade offer for? Lastly, Paul Reed has one more year on his contract, but is very gettable...could he make sense as a backup big for Indy?

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Milwaukee Bucks! NEW episode out on January 28th!

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1. Who is the player that has surprised you the most this season? (good or bad)
2. Who is the player that your opinion has changed the most on from the beginning of the season? (good or bad)
3. Who is the play you believe is impacted the most when Tyrese Haliburton returns from injury? (good or bad)

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How much better of a place would Indy be in with Bryant? Has Larry Nance lost his fastball? Is Jarrett Allen worth the price it would cost to get him...and how would Allen fit with Indiana?

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers! NEW episode out on January 27th!

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Vooch is a stretch big, but is he too old to be a stopgap center for the Pacers? Zach Collins is on an expiring deal, and unless the Bulls are offering a handful of assets to pair with him, a deal does not make sense...but maybe as a FA in the summer of 2026? Lastly, Jalen Smith is only making 9-million dollars this season and a little over 9-million next year. Indiana clearly liked Smith to trade for him once, could they do it again?

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Cleveland Cavaliers! NEW episode out on January 27th!

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Is Zubac THE GUY that Indiana is desperately missing at the starting 5? Why LA might trade him and what it would cost to get him. Brook Lopez's age is all you need to know about his long-term fit at center in Indy, but would he be worth the price to be a backup? John Collins showing his capabilities, but is he too small at the 5? Could you snag JC in Free Agency?

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Chicago Bulls! NEW episode out on January 26th!

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Would a Sabonis reunion make sense? Did Pacers make mistake taking Kam Jones and not drafting Raynaud in the 2nd round? Was Rick Carlisle's media interviews in the playoffs about Achiuwa a sign that he likes him? Is Drew Eubanks good?

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Los Angeles Clippers! NEW episode out on January 25th!

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Nick Richards, Mark Williams, Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach are the names we dive into today!

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Sacramento Kings! NEW episode out on January 24th!

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We dive into all of that and then spend the last 5-minutes of the show with a new segment titled, "Dad Corner". The guys share stories about dad life and what's on their mind thanks to their kids. 

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We start with the Warriors starters, Quentin Post, who has shot 35% from 3 this season. Then, we shift our conversation to Indiana native, Trayce Jackson-Davis, son of Dale Davis and Indiana Hoosier graduate, looking at how Indiana could trade for him to get the Warriors some tax relief. Lastly, we touch on how unrealistic an Al Horford trade is, but how desperate this Warriors team might be after losing Jimmy Butler to a season ending ACL injury. 

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Phoenix Suns NEW episode out on January 23rd!

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Could the Pacers dip their toes in the pool once again for Ayton? Would trading for Ayton or waiting till he hits FA make sense for this group? What about Jaxson Hayes? Could the former 8th overall pick be in play for the Pacers? Lastly...a former player of Rick Carlisle's, Maxi Kleber, is on an expiring $11M contract...could the Pacers have interest in trading a young player to get an expiring contract if an asset is attached? Alex discusses it all.

Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Golden State Warriors! NEW episode out on January 22nd!

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With that said, I went solo on today's episode as Facci is still traveling back from vacation to quickly touch on the Pacers 103-94 loss and then Ryan Hammer, a superb draft analysts, joins me to breakdown the Top 5 of the NBA Draft Class as of now and we also dive into centers in this draft class. 

Happy Tuesday Indiana fans!

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Now at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.  

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Los Angeles Lakers! NEW episode out on January 21st!

Episode was recorded on January 11th. 

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Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.  

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Portland Trail Blazers! NEW episode out on January 20th!

Episode was recorded on January 11th. 

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Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.  

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss Walker Kessler and the Utah Jazz! NEW episode out on January 19th!

Episode was recorded on January 11th. 

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Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.  

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Denver Nuggets! NEW episode out on January 18th!

Episode was recorded on January 11th. 

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Hope you enjoy the show! If you do, LIKE, RATE and REVIEW our show WHEREVER you get your podcasts. 

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Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.  

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we discuss the Oklahoma City Thunder! NEW episode out on January 17th!

Episode was recorded on January 11th. 

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Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.  

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! Tomorrow, we kick off the Northwest division with the Minnesota Timberwolves! NEW episode out on January 16th!

Episode was recorded on January 5th. 

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Laslty, the guys look at Sandro Mamukelashvili aka MAMU and whether or not he makes sense to trade for. 

Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Toronto Raptors will be up tomorrow on January 14th!

Episode was recorded on January 5th. 

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Each person drafted a guard, a wing, a big and a wild card. 12 players were selected and not all at the same position, which gives us a better look at what might potential be on the market as we inch closer to trade season. 

Let us know who you would like to see the Pacers trade for, if you think they should make any moves.

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The guys spend a chunk of time talking about Mitchell Robinson, and his upcoming free agency. Lastly, the guys discuss Ariel Hukporti and what he can in the league, and Alex gives Trey Jemison III a shoutout. 

Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Toronto Raptors will be up tomorrow on January 14th!

Episode was recorded on January 5th. 

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Also on the Nets roster is Day'ron Sharpe, and he is on a favorable contract for the Pacers. The guys also touch on rookie, Danny Wolf, and junior forward, Noah Clowney, who could play some small ball 5. 

Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The New York Knicks will be up tomorrow on January 13th!

Episode was recorded on January 5th. 

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Luka Garza in 26 games (at the time of the recording) has been playing extremely well in a limited role. He too is an unrestricted free agent in 2026. The guys also look at Xavier Tillman and go down a random road discussing all the Michigan State players who are in or were in the NBA. 

Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Brooklyn Nets will be up tomorrow on January 12th!

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Now. at the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Boston Celtics will be up tomorrow on January 11th!

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The guys also look at Dwight Powell, a Dallas Mavericks legend, Daniel Gafford, a name that has already been linked to the Pacers and the 21-year-old center, who is out for the year with a foot injury, Dereck Lively II. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst.  

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Memphis Grizzlies will be up tomorrow on January 10th!

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You can check out all of Alex's written work at Pacers on SI. Here is his written game recap for tonight's game. 

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Dallas Mavericks will be up tomorrow on January 9th!

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The New Orleans Pelicans will be up tomorrow on January 8th!

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Houston Rockets will be up tomorrow on January 7th!

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

Also in this episode, Alex and Facci share their Mt. Rushmore of centers from the Southeast Division. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The San Antonio Spurs will be up tomorrow on January 6th, as we transition to the Southwest Division!

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Join our FREE Group Chat on Chat BCC! Click this link! 

Stop by Ripple Bagel and Deli for a delicious Setting The Pace sandwich and receive a free side or drink for being a subscriber to the pod!

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Washington Wizards will be up tomorrow on January 5th!

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• Wembanyama-less Spurs Handle Pacers
• Micah Potter Starts and plays well!
• Jarace Benched in 2nd Half
• Rough Mathurin Game
• Solid Siakam and Nembhard game
• Kam Jones run in 2nd half...+16
• Pacers #11 Draft!

Join the Group Chat on Chat BCC here!

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Miami Heat's will be up tomorrow on January 4th!

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Join the group chat over at Chat BCC to play Pacers Trivia and interact with other Pacers fans!

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Charlotte Hornets will be up tomorrow on January 3rd!

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Then in segment 2, Alex shares his Top 10 Moments from the Indiana Pacers from the 2025 calendar year. 

Please join our group chat over on Chat BCC. 

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The guys discuss if any of the centers would be worth trading for, what their current and future contract situation is, how likely it is that they would be traded, and how Indiana could acquire them via a trade or free agency. At the end of each discussion, the guys give each team and their center depth a letter grade. A being the best, F being the worst. 

We hope you enjoy this miniseries! The Atlanta Hawks will be up tomorrow on January 2nd!

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Then, Alex came up with a "10 Things List" of things he would rather do than watch the Indiana Pacers get blown out again!

Join in on the fun over at Chat BCC by clicking this link!

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Join our Pacers Chat at Chat BCC by clicking THIS LINK!

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Please Join our Setting The Pace Group Chat on the Chat BCC App by clicking this link. All members of the STP chat on Chat BCC will receive a chance to win FREE TICKETS, a City Edition Jersey and a Team Store Gift Card! We will also conduct weekly trivia for a chance to enter our end of the season sweepstakes!

1). The Pacers will finish the season with more than 25 wins.

2). Jarace Walker is a Pacer longer than Bennedict Mathurin. 

3). Rick Carlisle deserves zero blame for the Pacers being 6–22.

4). This is the most disappointing Pacers season relative to preseason expectations of the last decade.

5). At least two “core” players should be gone by the deadline.

6). Pascal Siakam is playing better basketball now than he did during Toronto’s championship run.

7). Jay Huff has outplayed expectations relative to his role and minutes this season.

8). Andrew Nembhard’s value to the Pacers than his boxscore shows this season. 

9). Johnny Furphy has shown enough flashes to justify more rotation minutes.

10). Kevin Pritchard deserves more credit than blame for where the Pacers are right now.

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Show Notes - The 12 Days of Centers series comes to a close with a full-circle finale — and some much-needed clarity. We’re joined by Alex Golden from the Setting the Pace podcast to revisit every center we’ve discussed throughout the series and stack them up. Alex brings a tier-based approach to the conversation, helping separate realistic options from dream scenarios — and short-term fits from long-term solutions. Together, we debate what truly matters for the Pacers center of the future, break down where each candidate lands within those tiers, and challenge our own assumptions along the way. From bold ideas to grounded expectations, this finale ties the entire series together — and sets the stage for what’s next. Happy Holidays, Pacers fans!

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To end the show, Alex talks about how poor the Pacers have been, and the guys do a spinning of the tank-a-thon wheel, where only pain and misery can join us this season! 

Tune in and be sure to follow our Pacers Group Chat by clicking this link!

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Please join our Setting The Pace group chat in the Chat BCC app. Click this link to join or type in Pacers.chat in your URL. 

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Here are questions 6-10 from our 10 Burning Questions Series!

• Obi Toppin's injury, and will impact him long term?
• Pacers cut RayJ Dennis for Ethan Thompson. How does ET fit this team and what have you liked?
• Pascal Siakam's awesome season, what type of center does he need to play next to and will his game age well?
• Are we seeing a slight decline in McConnell's overall play?
• Aside from a healthy Tyrese, and a starting center, what is this team missing the most?

We also discuss Kam Jones returning from injury to play with the Boom on Sunday, and how that whole injury really set him back with a great chance to play due to all the injuries. 

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• Pacers rumored interest in Keon Ellis
• Jarace Walker a name to monitor?
• Teams watching closely to what Indiana does with Benn Mathurin
• Pacers in the market for a center? Who?
• Bucks trying to fix things with Giannis?
• If Bucks move Giannis, what players also could be on the move?
• Boston Celtics latest intel
• Pelicans once again find themselves in a bad spot record wise...what's next?
• Clippers in a tough spot with no draft pick this year. How does that impact their willingness to make trades?
• MORE

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Topics for today's show:

• How has Benn Mathurin improved as a defender this season?
• What has been the reason for Jarace Walker's inconsistent play?
• Thoughts on Andrew Nembhard as the lead ball handler and playing without Tyrese Haliburton?
• Is the Center by Committee working for the Pacers, or do they need to address the starting Center position? Who or What Type of Center fits best with this team?
• In a small sample size, what did you think of Aaron's play early on this season, specifically being asked to be more of an on-ball scorer? 

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Then, the guys pivot and discuss John Cena's last match, whether or not the ending was the right booking or not, Alex and Marc share their Mount Rushmore of WWE wrestlers and ponder who could be the next great to retire. To end the show, the guys discuss Old Man Rivers leading the Colts to a near road victory against the BEST team in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks. What we thought of the Colts efforts and where the Colts go in the offseason with so much uncertainty. 

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1). @spenlodun

does anyone else think Cam Boozer is a viable option at center if we can get a top 3 pick? i've heard no one mention this

2). @N-B-MMA

Besides another legit center what other position do you think we need the most help on?
 

3). @AIL_A_Guy_Needs

STP love yall. Still need to go try my bagel sandwich. My question I have for yall is if we're resigning Mathurin who is out the door? I am 100% confident herb ain't paying the tax so who's the next man out.

4). @jerronperry309

Hey guys, I feel that time is up for ljax, Nembhard and Walker to be on the block with us getting a high lottery pick, move mathurin to the 2 and keep neismith at the 3. Can we get that center via trade?

5). @jakeriley3738

Do you guys think it's time to give QJax a standard contract? and if Ethan Thompson continues to play well for us Do you also maybe consider a guy like him as well? Love the pod. 
 

6). @N-B-MMA

What 4 guys are you nost excited to see play with tyrese next season?
 

7). brianroeder

Is Facci secretly rooting for the Wizards to get the 1st pick next season? It's a tight race.

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Join the Setting the Pace CHAT Group on Chat BCC...going to kick it off strong in 2026 with some SUPER cool prizes/giveaways.

1). David Cole @David Cole 24

Do you think a top 4 pick forces a consolidation trade, and who gets sent out?
 

2). David Cole @David Cole 24 

Do you think the Pacers trade the draft pick in a win-now move or keep it? (Asking what you think the organization WILL do, not SHOULD do)
 

3). David Cole @David Cole 24 

How much do you think it will cost to keep

Mathurin here?

4). Rooster @roosterbra812

Reports pelicans may listen to offers on Herb. Do we still want him and what would you trade for him?
 

5). Rooster @roosterbra812

Rank these players in terms of who you think will be on the team the longest.

Mathurin

Jarace

JRE

Ethan Thompson

Furphy

Sheppard
 

6). Rooster @roosterbra812

Also, rank these players in terms of which one you'd want to be next years starting 5

Obi

Huff

Ware

Edey

Zubac

Kessler
 

7). djstylistic

I think Matherin and Walker have the best chances to be trade. What do you think the best trade packages we can get for each player and what could we get if we combine them together.

Feel free to add anything like other players, picks or cash to make deal work.

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On today's episode of Setting The Pace, Alex and Facci answer the following Mailbag Questions:

1). Geoff Ferrer @Boys1974115307

I look forward to hearing the episode. What do you two think is the best choice: trade our draft pick in 2026 or use the draft pick? I feel like the team is in such an obvious win-now mode that draft and develop isn't the best option. Low-hanging fruit, I know, but I'm curious.
 

2). Geoff Ferrer @Boys1974115307

At what point do we stick with a rotation of players, for development purposes, and disregard the W-L column? I know continuity is been the biggest issue this year. Don't we need to get the younger guys into consistent roles to adequately assess their fit for the team next year?
 

3). Alexandre Mendes @AlexVTMendes

Considering the 26/27 season, what piece is missing from this Pacers roster? Who is a trade asset?

4). Ed Helinski @MrEd315

In your estimation, is there any hope for this season or has it already gone kaput?
 

5). Pacer Faithful @jlh0215

Give your percentage likelihood for each:

1. The Pacers make a trade this season
2. Siakam makes an all star or all nba team (he should)
3. Jarace is on the roster next year

Over/under for each:

4. 37: Mathurin's 3p% to end the season

5. 17: Tyrese's ppg in the '26-'27 season
 

6). CF - @CFalcon31 

I still believe this team needs a pure shooter on the roster. Is there a name out there you think would be a good additon? I personally like Corey Kispert.

7). jessehobbs6 

Will the pacers make a trade this season?

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Remember, when the Pacers WIN, you win too! Get a FREE side or drink at Ripple Bagel & Deli with your purchase if you show them you are subscribed to Setting The Pace. Also, try the Setting The Pace sandwich, which is ONLY available at Ripple Bagel & Deli. 

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Please help us out and join our Chat Group at Chat BCC for a chance to win some really cool prizes, and tickets to an upcoming game in 2026! Join Chat BCC by CLICKING THIS LINK.

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The guys specifically touch on: 

• Waiving of RayJ Dennis, Signing Ethan Thompson to a 2-way deal
• Pascal Siakam's All-Star Level Play
• Have the Pacers found something with Huff and I Jax?
• Early Impressions of Andrew Nembhard being the primary point guard
• What Jarace Walker needs to improve on
• Pacers Defense has been solid the last 3 games, why is that the case?

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Later in the show, Alex discusses the runs both the Pacers and Bulls went on in this game. How close the statistics were for both teams and how it came down to which team was going to have the last positive run was going to win. Lastly, Alex also points out how the lineup of TJ, Drew, Benn, Pascal and Jay have played well together of late and why that lineup has had success. 

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Alex also discusses recent rumors that linked the Pacers to Jonathan Kuminga, again. In addition to that, he discusses some college hoops, because on Thanksgiving, Caleb Wilson and Cam Boozer had impressive games for UNC and Duke. These are 2 of the projected Top 5 picks in the upcoming NBA Draft.

To end the show, Alex shares why he hasn't been the biggest fan of the NBA Cup and what changes he would make to it to improve it. The Pacers have added two games to their schedule with the result of the NBA Cup and Johnny Furphy was assigned to the Boom for his ankle injury rehab. 

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To wrap up the show, Alex continues his annual "What Thanksgiving food represents each Pacer" to have a fun, unique, conversation as to how guys fit into this team. Example: What Pacer player is the Mac and Cheese of the Thanksgiving meal. We each bring a different approach to this topic, and you will never guess how Kam Jones was brought into the conversation without playing a single minute for the Pacers this season. 

We hope everyone enjoys this not-so-serious gimmicky topic and had the BEST Thanksgiving!

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Then, Alex and Bryse discuss Keon Ellis being linked to the Pacers in Mike A. Scotto's recent article on HoopsHype. What type of deal would it take to land the talented, defensive minded and three-point shooting guard? Then, they discuss Kevin Pritchard publicly laughing at a "report" on twitter suggesting Indiana could trade TJ McConnell. 

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Today the guys discuss:

• Nembhard's career high, plus solid assist/turnover ratio
• Lineup that went on big run: TJ, Drew, Benn, Pascal & Huff
• Huff's recent play and leading the league in blocks per minute
• Garrison Mathews debuts!
• Struggles continue for young Jarace Walker
• Sheppard still can't make a shot, but had impact on the game
• Would you rather have Pascal Siakam or Evan Mobley to win a Championship this season?
• Alex shares his thoughts on JRE signing to a standard contract

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15 Players Eligible for trade:

1. Mathurin
2. Haliburton
3. Toppin
4. Nembhard
5. Morris
6. Walker
7. K. Jones
8. McConnell
9. Furphy
10. Bradley
11. I. Jackson
12. Nesmith
13. Sheppard
14. Huff
15. Siakam

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The guys also give out player awards at the end of the game and have a lengthy discussion about Nembhard as the primary ballhandler and the importance of Benn Mathurin not only this season but moving forward.

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Then, to end the show, Derek and Alex talk about Jarace Walker and Ben Sheppard. These two first round picks from the 2023 NBA Draft have struggled to take advantage of a great opportunity with so many injuries, yet they are getting in their own way with overthinking the game and playing timid. How does this play factor into the long-term plans the Pacers have for them and will they be able to recover. 

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1. Nick Ogren: Quenton Jackson’s hamstring injury might be the most devastating injury this fall, given the opportunity in front of him. After a Haliburton-esque 25 pt, 6 rebs, 10 assist AND ZERO turnover masterclass against the Warriors, when will the team reward him with a standard contract?
2. Nick Ogren: Of the (healthy) bench players from ‘24-25, which one(s) have shown the most growth thru 8 games in ‘25-26? And which players have shown the most potential to be key contributors once the guards get healthy later this year?
3. Hoops Hub: How much money is too much money for Mathurin where you start to look at trading him/sign and trading him rather than re signing him?
4. Meghan Ogren: I loved seeing Huff hit some 3s and give us a reverse dunk in the Nets game. Have your thoughts on Huff’s potential (or IJax’s) changed after the recent home stand? Why or why not?
5. Liquid Meddler: If Mathurin’s first two games prove to be true of his new level of play, does Nembhard become the piece to help acquire a potential big who “could” play center (Jabari Smith Jr?) in the 26/27 season and beyond?
6. Doug Giles: Assuming greatest need next year is center and I think it takes three years for a non superstar center to show true potential. I don’t think there is a Shaq/Robinson talent in college right now. What is the best way to address the need not through the draft?
7. Bearable Fan: Is Aaron Nesmith's ability to draw charges and offensive fouls the most underrated skill set he has

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Today the questions were answering are from Rooster, Pacers Faithful and Paulo Borges:

1. Rooster - What do you think the path is to next seasons starting center? IJax? Trade for Kessler (in graphic) or who else? Would you trade this years first round pick?
2. Rooster - Which NBA team has the dumbest fan base? And why is it the Bucks?
3. Pacers Faithful - Give us your percentage/odds for each scenario: (1) Mathurin re-signed for next year, (2) IJax remains starting center, (3) Quenton Jackson gets a standard contract, (4) The Pacers make the playoffs, and (5) Myles finishes his career with "that" team.
4. Why did the Front Office give McClung a multi-year contract instead of a 10-day? 
5. Should the front office look to trade for a center, if this team turns it around with Drew, Benn and TJ?

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1. Nembhard's Return
2. A Terrific Nesmith Game
3. Weird Rotations
4. A tough Siakam night
5. Good Jarace, but need MORE of it
6. The Biggest Jay Huff Hater is back!
7. Monte Morris' debut
8. Points in the Paint
9. Shot Making (or lack thereof)
10. Transition Defense

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Let us know if you enjoyed the episode in the comment section!

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Myles Turner was booed every single second of this game by Pacers fans, and the center who is replacing him outplayed him for the majority of the game. Isaiah Jackson had 21 points, 10 rebounds and had some timely plays down the stretch. Pascal Siakam continued his excellence with a terrific effort, Aaron Nesmtih and Jarace Walker chipped in positive minutes, but 3 players went down in the 2nd half. 

Furphy's ankle issue reappeared, Quenton Jackson's hamstring held him out in the 3rd and RayJ Dennis did not log a minute after the first half, as he was dealing with a back injury prior to the game.

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Plus — the Pacers are coming off their first win of the season, stepping up big in the clutch! Quenton Jackson and Aaron Nesmith delivered career performances in a thrilling victory over the Golden State Warriors. The guys recap all the action, the energy, and what this means for the team moving forward. The guys also touch on the most recent injury news and who could be next to return to the court. 

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We breakdown:

• Quenton Jackson’s breakout game and what it means for his role moving forward
• Aaron Nesmith’s all-around brilliance on both ends of the floor
• How the Pacers contained Steph and the Warriors’ offense
• Could this win spark a turning point in the season?

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Per Pacers PR: Forward Obi Toppin has been diagnosed with a partial stress fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Toppin will travel to New York and have the injury surgically repaired by Dr. Martin O’Malley of the Hospital for Special Surgery. 

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• 0-4 start
• Weather the storm or reconsider?
• Benendict Mathurin
• Surprises around the league
• MORE

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We discuss it all today on Setting The Pace, and we sprinkle in a little World Series conversation at the end of the show, as the Blue Jays lead 3-2 heading back to Toronto for a chance to win another championship.

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In addition to that, Chris talks about the growth he has seen in 2-way players RayJ Dennis and Quenton Jackson; what he's seen from Mac McClung in the G League and how talented of a player he is; why the Boom are having their training camp at the Pacers practice facility; the relationship that Coach Carlisle and his staff, as well as the front office has with the Boom staff and players; how special head coach Tom Hankins is and MORE!

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Later, Alex and Brett discuss the Wiseman waiving, and what it means for the center rotation moving forward. Brett shares his opinion on who the Pacers best fit at the center is with this group, why he thinks they need to make a trade for a starting caliber center to pair with Hali next season, and what that would cost the Pacers. 

Then, the guys look WAY into the future and discuss the potential cap issues that would come with a Benn Mathurin extension. What a Mathurin extension would mean for other players, would Aaron Nesmith be willing to come off the bench and would Mathurin sign a long-term contract if not promised a starting 5 next season. This leads to the discussion of whether or not trading Mathurin for a center makes more sense roster construction wise and what team out West could be a potential partner for the Pacers. 

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Please leave us a 5-star rating and review if you like the show; or Subscribe and Like this VIDEO if you are on YouTube. 

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While it looks bleak early on for the 2025-2026 Pacers, Alex shares 3 positives that could come from all of these injuries, and gives his thoughts on the game. 

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Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/setting-the-pace-a-pacers-podcast/id1439262274

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YouTube: (1) Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast - YouTube

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1). Taelon Peter logs more minutes this season than Johnny Furphy.

2). Bennedict Mathurin ends the season as the starting shooting guard.

3). Tony Bradley will play his way into the backup center role behind Isaiah Jackson.

4). Aaron Nesmith will lead the team in 3PT%.

5). Pascal Siakam makes his 2nd All-Star appearance as a member of the Pacers.

6). Jay Huff will make 100 three pointers this season. (Made 81 last year)

7). Obi Toppin will have at least 150 assists this season. (128 the last two years)

8). Andrew Nembhard will average 16 points and 8 assists this season.

9). TJ McConnell will play in 60 games this season.

10). Ben Sheppard has a career year in every major statistical category.

11). Jarace Walker solidifies himself as the 6th man on the Pacers roster.

12). Quenton Jackson plays his way into a roster spot for next season.

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In segment 2 (11:30), Jeremiah Johnson of Fan Duel Sports Network joins us to breakdown the current state of the Pacers, Benn Mathurin not agreeing to his rookie extension with the Pacers, what to make of the center and point guard questions, Siakam and Nembhard's upcoming roles, whether or not the Pacers will raise an East Champions banner on opening night or will they wait till they play the Bucks so Myles Turner can be a part of the event, the discourse between fans and Myles Turner, JJ participates in the "Get To Know Your Guest' segment and we have a LIVE REACTION to the Aaron Nesmith extension breaking! 

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The guys then discuss Tony Bradley making the roster, what the centers did in 4 preseason games and how Rick envisions this group moving forward (4:07). Spencer Dinwiddie on the Pacers radar? (17:40)

In addition to that, the guys touch on the opportunity Taelon Peter has and what he looked like in preseason, Ben Sheppard being back in the mix of things and what the 2nd unit could look like with no point guard. (18:30)

Lastly, Alex and Facci talk about how the core four played well in preseason, and we look at the lineup data from 3 games and the overall stats to why these players are producing a winning product.  (20:50)

The guys also touch a little on the football world and Ohtani's spectacular night at the end of the show! (40:30)

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The guys highlight how Wiseman was seen at practice with the 2nd team, Carlilse discussing the Pacers roster overall needs more time together to establish chemistry, what to make of preseason play without TJ for 2 of the games and Drew for 1 game. Does Obi make more sense at the 5 versus the center rotation, and could the Pacers just play 1 center in their 10-man rotation? A ton to discuss on today's show! (4:40)

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Then, Eddie Gill joins (11:05) the show to discuss the Pacers point guards in depth, his experience with being thrown into the full of things with limited prep time, the impact of no TJ McConnell, and how he sees Q and RayJ fitting in. Then, Eddie talks about Siakam's elite level of play (24:00), Mathurin developing into a bigger role, how Sheppard impacts the 2nd unit by being back healthy and whether or not the Pacers are a below .500 team at the end of the season. 

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Timestamps: 

• Shoutout to Caitlin Cooper and Samson Folk of Basketball, She Wrote: New Shirt + Popsicle Talk (1:00)
• First Player to Watch (7:35)
• Second Player to Watch (20:12)
• Third Player to Watch (30:47)
• Giannis Future in Milwaukee and how it impacts the Pacers (47:28)

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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND HIT THAT LIKE BUTTON! 

YouTube: Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast - YouTube

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/77fZ7GL... 

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Time Stamps:

• Mathurin's Performance: (0:44)
• Injury Update on Furphy and Q Jax: (4:31)
• Cam Payne Thoughts (5:34)
• Centers Struggle (6:03)
• Nembhard settling into the point guard role (11:00)
• Should the Pacers look to trade for a better center? (12:30)
• Should the starters play on Friday? (15:18)
• What we saw from Jarace tonight (17:28)
• Zone Defense + Small Ball Lineups 19:20)
• Tough Schedule at the beginning of the season (21:10)
• Tyrese Troll-iburton (27:40)

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Timestamps:

• All Aboard the Taelon Peter Train! (00:40)
• Key Starters Didn't Play (3:05)
• Injuries: Quenton Jackson and Johnny Furphy (3:55)
• Quenton Jackson's play pre-injury (5:10)
• First Look at Cam Payne and comparing him to Q Jax for backup PG spot (7:13)
• Should the Pacers consider making a trade with a team that has PG depth? (12:11)
• Ranking the backup point guards without TJ (14:44)
• Obi Toppin's play (17:51)
• Benn Mathurin (20:07)
• Better Showing from Jarace (23:00)
• Johnny Furphy's play pre-injury (26:48)
• The Centers (30:50)
• Bradley over Wiseman (33:30)
• Slawson and McGlothan (39:04)
• Final Thoughts (40:29)

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Then, the guys are joined by Chris Denari to discuss the McConnell news, his takeaways from the Pacers first preseason game and what he is seeing at training camp. (17:37)

To end our conversation with Chris, we introduce a new segment called 'Get To Know Your Guest'! -- We asked Chris four questions to help us get to know more about his love for basketball, winning a championship in his playing days, his first ever date with his high school sweetheart and wife, and who his biggest hero is! (41:18)

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• Andrew Nembhard - 3:25
• Bennedict Mathurin - 4:25
• Aaron Nesmith - 5:18
• Pascal Siakam - 6:38
• Isaiah Jackson - 11:15
• TJ McConnell - 15:03
• Johnny Furphy - 17:43
• Jarace Walker - 19:10
• Obi Toppin - 21:01
• Jay Huff - 21:57
• Ben Sheppard - 23:19
• James Wiseman - 24:13
• Tony Bradley - 24:24
• Delon Wright - 24:35
• Quenton Jackson - 25:01
• Taelon Peter - 25:07
• RayJ Dennis - 25:22
• Jaylen Slawson - 25:47
• Gabe McGlothan - 26:32
• Kam Jones - 26:45
• Tyrese Haliburton - 27:32

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• Classic Rick Carlisle - 3:57
• McConnell and Wright Leave with Injuries - 4:10
• Isaiah Jackson Foul Trouble - 6:34
• Tony Bradley Shines - 7:34
• Ranking the 4 Centers Overall Performance - 9:30
• First Half Takeaways with Normal Rotation - 15:30
• Thoughts on Starters (sans I Jax), Obi and TJ - 19:30
• The 3 Two-Way Players - 25:40
• How Jarace Walker Played - 27:26
• Johnny Furphy's Performance - 29:24
• Final Thoughts - 32:40

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• Facci and Alex talk Taylor Swift - 3:55
• Aaron Nesmith name dropped in Swift's latest album? - 6:17
• Isaiah Jackson and Raising Canes? Weight Gain for I Jax was in full effect - 8:42
• Tyrese Haliburton videoed shooting the basketball at practice - 11:25
• Storyline #1 - 13:05
• Storyline #2 - 17:52
• Storyline #3 - 26:28
• Storyline #4 - 32:45
• Storyline #5 - 35:37

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After the guys discuss the players who will make the rotation and predict how many minutes they will play this season, they read comments from twitter in response to Myles Turner saying that his comments were directed at the front office and not the fan base. Needless to say, the fans did NOT hold back on how they feel about the former Pacers big man. 

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The guys also discuss what James Wiseman and Isaiah Jackson have been up to during their time of injury rehab, and dive into what Delon Wright had to say about joining the Indiana Pacers just days before Training Camp. 

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Lastly, Alex discusses Game 5 of the WNBA Semifinals, where the Indiana Fever lose 107-98 to the Las Vegas Aces, in a game where the Fever were scratching and clawing their way out of a deficit to try and pull off a miracle. With Clark, Cunningham, Dantas and other players out with injuries, the Fever couldn't afford to lose anymore key rotation pieces. During the 3rd quarter, Kelsey Mitchell, an MVP Finalist, went down with a lower body injury and was helped off the court. She did not return to the game. The Fever were also without Aliyah Boston for long stretches in this game, as she was battling foul trouble, which was questionable to say the least. It was a season that ended in heartbreaking fashion, but the future is bright. Alex discusses all about Fever future, what this team could look like and explains why they're just scratching the surface to becoming a championship level contender for the next decade. 

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-Jay Huff found out about being traded to the Pacers in a pantry?

-How will teams defend Nembhard

-Jarace's future and opportunity this season...is he too honest sometime?

-Benn Mathurin ready to prove his worth to this team.

-Siakam's role next season

-MORE

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Here are the players discussed and in what order:

McConnell, Sheppard, Furphy, Wiseman, Huff, Toppin and Walker!

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• Summer League Thoughts
• Johnny Furphy's play and expectations for next season
• Where was Kam Jones on Pacers big board?
• Do Pacers see Kam as more a 1 or 2?
• Enrique Freeman vs Taelon Peter for the final 2-way contract
• Applying for a Disabled Player Exception
• Targeting any other Free Agent Guards?
• Andrew Nembhard taking the starting PG role next year
• Would Pacers have matched Myles contract offer Milwaukee gave him?
• Thoughts on the center by committee
• Milwaukee coming out of nowhere with cap space, how shocked were you by this?
• What does Milwaukee's move to create cap space mean for the future of Free Agency?
• Who targeted Jay Huff on your staff as a trade target?
• Isaiah Jackson adding weight during injury rehab?
• Who will be the starting shooting guard to start the season?
• Opportunity for Jarace to earn a bigger role...what does the team want to see from him?
• Did Pacers check in on Victor Oladipo as a free agent target?
• Keeping a roster spot open...buyout market more intriguing?
• Does Tyrese count against the 15-man roster spot?
• Will James Johnson be back next season?
• How eager is this team to make a win-now trade this season?
• Why make the trade with NOLA for the 2026 first round pick back?
• How the Pacers stacks up against the East this season
• How Tyrese has been since the injury and surgery...what is his mindset?
• Pascal's leadership role this season.
• What did the run to the NBA Finals mean to the front office?
• Do Pacers win Game 7 if Tyrese doesn't go down?
• Coldplay Meme
• Who do you want with the ball in her hands sans Tyrese?
• Who had the biggest jump in 2024-2025?
• Center competition...who starts?
• McConnell's role next season...minutes load?
• MORE

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Questions:

1. How can Indiana avoid the overused phrase “gap year” for next season? 

2. Which players need to take the biggest step forward in order for Indiana to reach its’ ceiling with this core? 

3. Pascal Siakam rebranded his style of play to an extent in order to fit the Pacers system. What more can Siakam do to take another step forward, or is this is ceiling? 

4. What do you view as the biggest area of weakness for the Pacers?

5. Now on the flip side of that question, what do you view as the biggest strength for the Pacers?

6. Rank the 5 most important Pacers for next season. 

7. Do you see a trade for this team during the season, if so is there a player you’d like to see Indiana target?

8. What would you consider a successful season for the Pacers? 

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Then, the guys get into their Western Conference Standings Predictions. How many similarities do Alex and Facci have this time? Not nearly as many as they did for the East...definitely a great discussion about the West and how the guys see it playing out. 

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Then, the guys share 10 Bold Predictions for the upcoming NBA Season! 

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Here is a list of the centers that were ranked/discussed: Karl Towns, Joel Embiid, Porzingis, Okongwu, Jarrett Allen, Myles Turner, Nikola Vucevic, Jalen Duren, Jakob Poeltl, Alex Sarr, Kel'el Ware, Nic Claxton, Wendall Carter Jr., Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, Mason Plumlee, Diabate and Queta. 

Players 11-15 (0:00 - 28:40)

Players 6-10 (28:46-57:24)

Players 1-5 (57:26 -1:34:12)

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Here are NBA 2K26's ratings:

Jalen Johnson - 81, Chris Boucher - 73, Noah Clowney - 73, Miles Bridges - 80, Patrick Williams - 75, Evan Mobley - 89, Tobias Harris - 80, 

Pascal Siakam - 89, Bam Adebayo (Kal’el Ware at C) - 88, Giannis Antetokounmpo - 97, OG Anunoby - 85, Paolo Banchero - 90, Paul George - 81,

Scottie Barnes - 85, Khris Middleton - 79

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Alex and Facci rank from 1-15 each wing duo in the East and explain why they ranked Nesmith and Mathurin in the position they did against the other duos for the 2025-2026 season. They pulled data from NBA 2k26 for rankings and used a variety of websites to determine who was projected to be the starting shooting guard and small forward of each team.

Here is a list of the duos that were ranked by NBA 2K26:

Hawks: 81.5 | Daniels - 83 + Risacher - 80

Celtics:  88.5 | White - 87 + Brown - 90

Nets: 81 | Thomas - 80 + Porter Jr - 82

Hornets: 81 | Sexton - 80 + Miller - 82

Bulls:  79.5 | White - 83 + Huerter - 76

Cavs: 86.5 | Mitchell - 93 + Hunter (Strus hurt) - 80

Pistons: 80 | Ivey - 79 + Ausar - 81

Pacers: 80 | Mathurin - 79 + Nesmith - 81

Heat:  83 | Herro - 86 + Wiggins - 80

Bucks: 77 | Trent Jr - 77 + Kuzma - 77 

Knicks: 82.5 | Hart - 81 + Bridges - 84 

Magic: 84.5 | Bane - 83 + Wagner - 86

76ers:  79 | McCain (could be Edgecomb) - 80 + Oubre Jr - 78

Raptors: 83 | Barrett (Could be Dick) - 82 + Ingram - 84 

Wizards: 79.5 | McCollum - 81 + Coulibaly - 78

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Then, Alex and Facci rank all 15 starting point guards in the Eastern Conference. The guys compare their rankings to how NBA 2k26 had their point guards rated. The guys had similar lists once again, with a couple of differences that caused for a good debate...but the real question is, where did the guys land on Nembhard for starting point guards in the East this season. The guys also discuss where Haliburton would be ranked if healthy and where the NBA 2k ratings had Tyrese in the East.

Players that we ranked against Nembhard: Trae Young (Hawks), LaMelo Ball (Hornets), Bub Carrington (Wizards), Davion Mitchell (Heat), Jalen Suggs (Magic), Immanuel Quickley (Raptors), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Payton Pritchard (Celtics), Tyson Etienne (Nets), Jalen Brunson (Knicks), Cade Cunningham (Pistons), Kevin Porter Jr. (Bucks), Darius Garland (Cavaliers) and Josh Giddey (Bulls). 

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In Segment 2, the guys dive into the most offseason topic...ever! NBA Mascots! The guys draft 6 players each in a snake draft, discussing these incredible NBA mascots and what makes them so unique. 

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1). Kevin Cheney 

Who is more of a priority in the long term for this roster, Nesmith or Nembhard?

2). Chuck & Jamie

Hot take: not re-signing James Johnson for a season with no Ty and no Myles is going to be a mistake and have a significant impact on the locker room.

Question: given there’s a chance that Tyrese may never be the same version of himself, causing the style to potentially not be able to be the same, is it worth exploring other styles of play this year with the different personnel they have? (ie Mathurin, Siakam, Jarace)

3). Nate Did Not

Hot Take: James Wiseman will be better than Turner if he can stay healthy…..no this is not because #3 for the Bucks left at all, it’s because James has crazy potential and just needs to stay healthy. 
 

4). DJ Davis

Who steps up this year to show they not only belong in the NBA but with the Pacers and will be a vital part of the Pacers from 2026-27 and beyond?

5). Nick Ogren

Hot take: Jarace Walker puts it together and will be a NBA All-Star in 4 years at the age of 25.  His combination of explosive athleticism, brute strength, savvy court vision, crisp handles, dynamic passing and pure shooting make him an elite wing in the East Conference.

6). Daniel Hursh

If the Pacers decide to trade Mathurin, does it make more sense to wait for the off season and do it as a sign and trade? That way it’ll be easier to match contracts since he’ll be signing for significantly more money than he currently makes.

7). James Wiseman (Really Wise ppl)

Thoughts about the Ben Sheppard fan club?

8). Nathan Drabing

What are your predictions on the Pacers upcoming OFF and DEF rankings among the league this coming season?

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