The Indiana Pacers enter a pivotal offseason after a disappointing 2025-26 finish, and early conversations around the front office center on roster decisions involving Ivica Zubac, Tobias Harris and Dalton Knecht.
Zubac Extension on the Table
Indiana can negotiate a new deal with center Ivica Zubac, acquired from the Los Angeles Clippers at the February trade deadline. Zubac played only five games for the Pacers before the season ended, leaving the club with a limited sample of how he fits alongside All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton in head coach Rick Carlisle’s system. Team officials are expected to weigh that brief audition before committing long-term money.
Veteran Forward Tobias Harris Linked in Free Agency
League sources cited by Roundtable’s Ben Cooper point to Tobias Harris as a possible free-agent target. The 33-year-old forward is coming off another productive campaign and could offer scoring, shooting and experience to a core featuring Haliburton, Pascal Siakam and Zubac. Whether Indiana possesses enough cap flexibility to make a competitive offer remains uncertain.
Trade Idea Involving Dalton Knecht Surfaces
In a concept first floated by Dustin Dopirak of The Indianapolis Star and echoed by Roundtable’s Evan Massey, the Pacers have been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Los Angeles Lakers wing Dalton Knecht. The proposal would reportedly send guard Ben Sheppard to Los Angeles, giving the Lakers added defensive versatility while Indiana gains another perimeter scorer suited to the Pacers’ up-tempo style. No formal talks between the teams have been reported.
Indiana’s front office is expected to explore multiple avenues to strengthen the roster around Haliburton and Siakam as the 2026-27 season approaches.
Source: Hoops Wire
