Indiana Pacers point guard Tyrese Haliburton told ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” on Monday that he is feeling “the best I’ve felt in a long time” as he approaches the 2026/27 season.
Haliburton, 26, missed the entire 2025/26 campaign after tearing his Achilles tendon. A case of shingles earlier this year added roughly 15–20 pounds, he said, but the guard noted he has shed the extra weight and is in the final phase of his Achilles rehabilitation.
Views on lottery loss, Zubac acquisition
The Pacers surrendered their top-four protected 2026 first-round pick when the selection landed at No. 5 in May’s draft lottery. Haliburton called the outcome “disappointing” but defended the front office’s decision to send the pick to the Clippers for center Ivica Zubac at February’s trade deadline.
“We don’t need a guard. The fifth pick was a guard. The sixth pick was a guard,” Haliburton said. “We took a gamble and I guess we lost because we didn’t get the pick. But we got Zu, who is one of the best centers in the league.”
Two-way picture narrows
Indiana waived guard Taelon Peter on Monday, reducing the club’s two-way roster battle to four names. For now, Ethan Thompson and Kobe Brown hold the Pacers’ two signed two-way spots. The team has issued a two-way qualifying offer to forward Jalen Slawson and plans to sign No. 38 overall pick Braden Smith to a similar deal.
With Brown recently re-signed and Smith expected to secure one slot, league sources told the Indianapolis Star that the final opening is likely to come down to Thompson versus Slawson.
Summer League notes
Beat reporter Dustin Dopirak listed five takeaways from Indiana’s Summer League run. He described Slawson as a “wild card” whose performance swung between highs and lows, while Smith impressed with his playmaking despite a poor shooting week in Las Vegas. Undrafted forward Rienk Mast, set to join the Pacers on an Exhibit 10 contract, was also highlighted for his showing in Vegas.
Source: Hoops Rumors
