Indiana enters 2026-27 with Tyrese Haliburton back from a torn Achilles, Ivica Zubac in the middle, and a low-key offseason that added Kelly Oubre and Larry Nance after a 19-win season without its star.
This Indiana Pacers 2026-’27 season preview breaks down every major storyline entering the year: the team's 2026 NBA Draft moves, its free agency additions, the Haliburton return and projected starting lineup, updated Vegas win total and championship odds, and Pacers fantasy basketball analysis on the players who matter most heading into DFS and season-long drafts. Haliburton tore his Achilles in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, missed all of 2025-26, and the Pacers fell to 19-63 with the two longest losing streaks in franchise history. With the pick that would have landed in the lottery already traded to the Clippers in the Zubac deal, the offseason was about health and depth.
Pacers 2026-27 Season at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| 2025-26 Record | 19-63 |
| 2025-26 Finish | 5th in Central, missed playoffs |
| 2026-27 Win Total | 44.5 (BetMGM) |
| Championship Odds | +4000 |
| 2026 Draft Picks | No. 38 (via trade) |
| Biggest Addition | Tyrese Haliburton (return from injury) |
| Key Player | Tyrese Haliburton |
| Fantasy Player to Watch | Ivica Zubac |
Indiana's 44.5-win total is a 25-win jump from last season, and the Pacers' +4000 championship odds place them just outside the top 12, with Haliburton's health driving most of the movement.
2026 NBA Draft: Pacers' Pick and Fit
Indiana did not have a first-round pick because it went to the Clippers in the trade for Ivica Zubac, so the front office worked the second round.
| Pick | Player | Position | School | 2026-27 Impact | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. 38 (2nd Rd, via trade) | Braden Smith | PG | Purdue | Two-way/depth | Acquired from Chicago; signed a one-year two-way contract. |
Smith joins a deep guard group, and the Pacers are not expecting any rookie to play a major role this season.
Key Free Agent Departures
Indiana had no major free-agent losses this offseason. The team's notable subtraction came at the February deadline, when it sent Bennedict Mathurin, Isaiah Jackson, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick to the Clippers for Zubac, a deal that also cost the Pacers their offseason flexibility.
Key Free Agent Acquisitions and Re-Signings
| Player | Terms | Type | Fantasy/Roster Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kelly Oubre | 2 yrs, $16.5M (fully guaranteed) | Free agent addition | Described as the team's best addition by a wide margin; wing scoring and defense off the bench. |
| Larry Nance | 1 yr, minimum | Free agent addition | Credible veteran frontcourt depth after leaving Cleveland. |
| Braden Smith | 1 yr, two-way | Draft pick | Second-round guard from Purdue. |
Major Roster Moves and Projected Starting Lineup
Indiana's roster is built around returning health. Haliburton will be 16 months removed from his injury when the season starts and is not expected to have workload limitations, according to team reports. Zubac, who arrived at the deadline and played only five games for the Pacers, replaces Myles Turner, who left for Milwaukee in free agency in 2025. The Pacers already have more than $190 million committed to seven players for 2027-28, so any extension for Haliburton next summer will be expensive.
Projected Starters
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| PG | Tyrese Haliburton |
| SG | Andrew Nembhard |
| SF | Aaron Nesmith |
| PF | Pascal Siakam |
| C | Ivica Zubac |
Bench Rotation
- Backcourt: T.J. McConnell, Ben Sheppard, Braden Smith
- Wing: Kelly Oubre, Jarace Walker, Johnny Furphy
- Frontcourt: Obi Toppin, Jay Huff, Larry Nance
The rotation is deep, and the Pacers will have to sort out minutes behind the starters, especially in the frontcourt.
Pacers Biggest Fantasy Questions
How Quickly Does Haliburton Return to Form?
Haliburton averaged 18.6 points, 9.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.7 blocks in 2024-25 and made the All-NBA Third Team. Achilles recoveries often take time to regain explosiveness, so his first few weeks could be uneven.
Does Siakam Keep His Career-High Scoring With Haliburton Back?
Siakam averaged a career-high 24.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists in 62 games while shouldering extra usage. With Haliburton back, his scoring may dip, but his efficiency could improve.
Is Ivica Zubac a Top-5 Center in This System?
Zubac averaged 14.4 points, 11.0 rebounds, and 2.2 assists across last season and is an excellent rebounder and finisher. He should get strong looks from Haliburton, who’s an elite passer, arguably the best in the entire NBA when healthy.
Pacers Fantasy Basketball 2026-27: Key Players to Know
Four Pacers fantasy players carry meaningful weight into 2026-27 drafts, with Haliburton's health and usage sharing as the dominant storylines.
Pascal Siakam Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 52.0
- Position: C/PF/SF
- 2025-26 Stats: 24.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 SPG (62 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: High-volume scorer with a usage question
- What to Watch: Shot volume with Haliburton back
Siakam made his fourth All-Star team last season and shot 48.4% from the field. His production was boosted by a lack of other options, so his scoring may fall slightly, but he should stay a top-40 pick.
Tyrese Haliburton Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 15.5
- Position: PG/SG
- 2025-26 Stats: Did not play (torn Achilles); 18.6 PPG, 9.2 APG in 2024-25
- Fantasy Outlook: Elite assists with injury risk
- What to Watch: Explosiveness and minutes after the Achilles tear
Haliburton's ADP ranges from the mid-20s to the mid-60s depending on the platform. His assists and three-pointers make him a top-30 asset if healthy, but managers should plan for early-season rust.
Ivica Zubac Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 69.1
- Position: C
- 2025-26 Stats: 14.4 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 2.2 APG (with Clippers and Pacers)
- Fantasy Outlook: Reliable rebounds and field-goal percentage
- What to Watch: Health, as he is listed as out on some trackers
Zubac made the All-Defensive Second Team in 2025 and is an excellent rebounder and finisher at the rim. He should benefit from Haliburton's passing.
Andrew Nembhard Fantasy Outlook
- 2026-27 ADP: 129.5
- Position: PG/SG
- 2025-26 Stats: 16.9 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 7.7 APG, 1.9 3PM (57 games)
- Fantasy Outlook: Assist-heavy guard who drops with Haliburton back
- What to Watch: Usage once Haliburton returns
Nembhard ranked sixth in the league in assists at 7.7 per game in Haliburton's absence. His numbers will fall, but his 82.5% free-throw shooting and 36.5% three-point shooting keep him useful.
Pacers Fantasy Sleepers & Breakouts
Pacers Fantasy Sleeper
Andrew Nembhard: There aren’t many sleepers on the Pacers because they have a really good top-three in Haliburton, Siakam, and Zubac, but Haliburton isn’t sharp and needs games off due to it being his first season back from an Achilles tear; there’s nobody that will benefit more than Andrew Nembhard.
Pacers Fantasy Breakout Candidate
Jarace Walker: I think we saw Jarace Walker play with the ball in his hands a lot in a lost season in 2025, and this season is where that will benefit him the most. He had 10 assists in a recent preseason game and looks like he can play himself firmly into the Pacers rotation.
Data via NBA.com, ESPN, Yahoo Sports, Hoops Rumors, Spotrac, BetMGM, RotoWire, and Basketball Reference. Odds and win totals reflect lines as of early October 2026 and are subject to change.