The Indiana Pacers are no strangers to shocking the world. After making the NBA Finals, usually there would be real belief that the Pacers would be able to make it back to the championship series, although Tyrese Haliburton's torn Achilles put a damper on that.
Still, the Pacers have a key core in place and one of the best supporting casts in the NBA, and they seem poised to run things back with Andrew Nembhard playing a bigger role on offense.
Hours before NBA free agency starts during the evening of June 30, the Pacers extended qualifying offers to Isaiah Jackson, Quenton Jackson, and Enrique Freeman.
Isaiah missed all but five games last season with a torn Achilles, but he can shore up the depth behind Myles Turner, provided that the veteran is re-signed. Both Quenton and Freeman were on two-way contracts last season, and they will likely be joined by second-round pick Kam Jones.
In addition to that, the Pacers picked up Tony Bradley's $2.9 million team option for next season. Bradley's contract is non-guaranteed, but it looks like the Pacers have faith in his rebounding and floor spacing off the bench.
Bradley averaged 4.4 points in 14 regular-season games and played in Games 5, 6, and 7 of the Finals, although a hip injury kept him out of most of the postseason.
While Indiana will likely take a step back next season with Haliburton out, expect them to retain all of their depth pieces heading into next year.
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