Pacers
Good: The Pacers were able to go from 4th seed to the NBA Finals losing in 7, as a team nobody believed in led by a player people didn’t seem to believe in, Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton and Pascal Siakam were able to take it to another level in the playoffs, while the team showed good depth. The Pacers showed true team effort and may have set a new format on how to build teams with depth. They were able to get production out of G/F Aaron Nesmith that the Celtics could never get as a solid 3 and D player. The growth of young players G/F Bennedict Mathurin, underrated G Andrew Nembhard, F Jarace Walker, and G Ben Sheppard. PG T.J. McConnell and F Obi Toppin continue to be solid bench contributors. Most of the team is under contract with a few decisions to make.
Bad: The injury to Haliburton was big blow on top of losing the Finals and will go into next season testing their depth again. C Myles Turner is a free agent and due to earn a sizeable contract after another solid season. To a lesser extent, backup C Thomas Bryant, young F Isaiah Jackson, and veteran F James Johnson who could retire are free agents also.
Thunder
Good: The Thunder finished the job this time as the #1 seed winning their first NBA Finals led by MVP and NBA Finals MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. C Isaiah Hartenstein proved to be a solid pick-up, along with the growth of F Jalen Williams, and a healthy F Chet Holmgren. The trade for G Alex Caruso proved to be a difference in the big games with his defense alongside G/F Luguentz Dort. The Thunder are showing the true way to build a team stacking picks with good depth and making smart decisions led by GM Sam Presti. The team is fully under contract for next year, team options pending on younger players who should be back. 19yr old rookie G Nikola Topic missed the season as a player that should have gone top 10 and should be ready to contribute next season.
Bad: Nothing.
