With Tyrese Haliburton all but guaranteed to miss the entirety of the 2025-26 season after his devastating Achilles injury, all eyes are now on Andrew Nembhard, who will likely have an opportunity to run the show for a whole year and potentially become an All-Star for the first time in his career.
There is still plenty of time to figure it out, but one of the biggest questions about the Indiana Pacers next season is how different their lineup is going to look, particularly at the point guard position. Though there are a few decent options, it is safe to say the Pacers may benefit the most by sliding Nembhard into the point guard slot full-time. Nembhard has what it takes to run the point, but he has not had too many opportunities to do so due to Haliburton.
Nembhard has already established himself as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league, and he is only getting better at every aspect of the game. The Canadian native always shows up when the Pacers need him most, and they are going to need him next season more than ever. What he does with the opportunity could be a huge step towards his future, and it would not be a shock if an All-Star level season is on the horizon.
Andrew Nembhard has played great in his current role
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Nembhard has only gotten better each year since joining the league, and a big reason for that is that he continues to buy into his role. Alongside Haliburton, the two of them make up one of the most electric backcourts in the NBA, and he is crucial to the Pacers' success on the defensive side of the ball. Assuming he leads the way next season and has an opportunity to run wild, this could be a great opportunity for him.
During the Finals, Nembhard averaged 11.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.3 steals. Additionally, he shot 46.6% from the field and 42.3% from the three-point line. Most importantly, however, the 25-year-old played great defense on the reigning MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Furthermore, Nembhard [played well all postseason long](https://8points9seconds.com/andrew-nembhard-solidified-status-elite-criminally-underrated-area), and he played a crucial role in Indiana's first NBA Finals appearance in over two decades.
While Nembhard is a fantastic player, it is safe to assume the Pacers' offense will take a big hit in Haliburton's absence, especially from a playmaking perspective. Still, there is a lot to like about his outlook for next season, especially since the Pacers will want to remain competitive even following the injury to their star guard.
The Pacers will have some major decisions to make this summer. They must decide whether they will re-sign Myles Turner as a free agent (though [the latest reports suggest they will](https://8points9seconds.com/shams-charania-gives-pacers-fans-myles-turner-update-they-ve-been-dying-hear)), but they also have to decide how they are going to attack next season. With Haliburton out of the picture, it will be incredibly difficult for them to return to the NBA Finals next year. Even so, they have an incredible team and a bright future. And, while it is far from ideal, giving the reins to Nembhard next season could be one of the most important decisions they make that could pay dividends for the long haul.