Indiana Pacers general manager Chad Buchanan said Thursday the team still intends to contend in 2025/26 despite losing All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton to a season-long Achilles recovery. “We’re not looking at this as a year to try and get through,” Buchanan told reporters, adding that owner Herb Simon has always pushed to compete.
Oddsmakers expect Indiana to fall off after reaching the 2024 Eastern Conference Finals and the 2025 NBA Finals, but Buchanan noted that most of the roster—outside of center Myles Turner—returns. While the offense will likely slow without Haliburton, he said the group “comes together when people doubt them” and that no ceiling has been placed on the season.
Around the Central Division
Giannis Antetokounmpo told Greece’s Sport24 he could see himself joining a European club later in his career if pay and conditions match his needs. The Bucks star suggested other European standouts, such as Nikola Jokić, might feel similarly, though he acknowledged the NBA’s resources and structure differ greatly from overseas leagues.
Josh Giddey’s new contract with the Bulls is a fully guaranteed four-year, $100 million deal with equal $25 million cap hits each season, league sources confirmed. The flat structure means the agreement will consume a smaller share of future salary caps, preserving Chicago’s flexibility.
The Bulls also announced several front-office moves, promoting Faizan Hasnany to executive director of basketball strategy and analytics among other staff changes.
The Pistons elevated veteran scout Durand “Speedy” Walker to president of basketball operations for the Motor City Cruise, the team’s G League affiliate. Walker has spent more than 18 years with the organization.
Source: Hoops Rumors
