Ranking the New Orleans Pelicans and other NBA Coaching Vacancies
Ranking the NBA Coaching Vacancies: Indiana Pacers
No. 4: Indiana Pacers
Team and Talent
The Pacers overachieved yet again this season, winning 45 games, which is why it was shocking when they fired head coach Nate McMillan, who now has to be one of the top names for one of the vacancies.
The Pacers finished 4th in the East and have a pretty good lineup of players, though they could use another star and some youth. Victor Oladipo, Malcolm Brogdon, Myles Turner and T.J. Warren are a pretty good foursome to build around, though it could be argued that the first three are making too much money.
Their roster makeup is interesting, as most of the players are in the 27-28 years old range, so the Pacers are ready to win now, especially if they can add another piece in a trade or via free agency.
Ownership and Front Office
The Pacers are consistently in the playoffs and you have to give their owner and front office some credit because it’s not like Indiana is high on the list of free agent destinations. Indiana builds through the draft and savvy trades, so the next coach will have to know that LeBron James won’t be calling.
Team President Kevin Pritchard has done a masterful job since taking over and consistently has his team in the top half of the East year after year.
The only knock on ownership is that they’ve never really done what it takes to make the next leap into the Eastern Conference elite. They’ve never grabbed a big star or splashed out in free agency and may be a team that is constantly a 4-5 seed in the East but never in the Finals.
The City
Does Indiana even have a city? The next coach better not be one who likes to eat sushi or go to the theater. Is Norman Dale available?
The Verdict
The Pacers are a small market team who is a consistent winner, though rarely a viable contender for a title. The owner and front office are smart, but cheap, and the city is mediocre. The Pacers job is great for someone who wants to build through culture and not superstars.