6.) Indiana Pacers
Indiana has completely skipped the rebuilding process. Hours before the 2017 Free Agency began, the Pacers made a blockbuster trade with Oklahoma City. They sent franchise star Paul George to the Thunder for Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis. Most people were thinking “That’s it?”, when hearing that Indiana had traded away one of their few assets for Oladipo who was coming off of a poor and passive season of watching Russell Westbrook do absolutely everything, and Sabonis who had a lackluster season too as a rookie. However, to many people’s surprise, Indiana may have one this trade.
Oladipo started hot and never cooled, averaging a career high 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and not only a career high, but league high 2.4 steals per game.
Sabonis has also carved out a nice roll for himself in Indiana, serving as the Pacers Sixth man. He has the valuable ability to make opposing bigs guard him on the perimeter because you better bet he can knock down the three.
Myles Turner, Indiana’s 2015 lottery selection, had a very similar season to last year, but he can has the potential to be one of the best rebounders and shot blockers in the league and has a very nice touch from mid and long range.
While Indiana certainly isn’t in contention for a championship (and won’t be for a while) the young core of Oladipo, Sabonis, Turner, and additional side pieces like Cory Joseph and veteran Thaddeus Young, will be big in helping the Pacers remain one of the better playoff teams.