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Eric Moody
Tyrese Haliburton‘s torn proper Achilles tendon in Sport 7 of the NBA Finals might preserve Indiana’s star level guard sidelined for all of the 2025-26 season, a devastating blow that can have vital fantasy implications subsequent season because the Pacers are pressured to shuffle roles.
Let’s take a better take a look at which gamers might see the largest shift in fantasy worth for 2025-26.
Who steps up in Haliburton’s absence
Andrew Nembhard stands to get the largest bump in fantasy worth. In eight video games with out Haliburton this previous season, Nembhard averaged 11.3 PPG, 2.6 RPG and 6.6 APG. Anticipate his common draft place to skyrocket subsequent season as he turns into the first flooring basic on a well-balanced Indiana offense. His 28.9 MPG in 2024-25 was a profession excessive for the third-year professional out of Gonzaga, and that quantity might soar into the mid 30s subsequent season. Nembhard’s means to contribute assists and strong counting stats makes him a robust mid-round fantasy goal.
Pascal Siakam averaged 20.2 PPG, 6.9 RPG and three.4 APG through the common season and will transfer into extra of a point-forward position like he was in with the Toronto Raptors earlier than becoming a member of the Pacers. Whereas Siakam’s APG this season was his lowest since 2018-19 with Toronto, his means to facilitate might be wanted greater than ever on the shorthanded Pacers subsequent season. Siakam is somebody managers ought to really feel comfy drafting as a top-50 participant.
Others who’re impacted
Taking pictures guard Bennedict Mathurin must also see an expanded position, probably transferring into the beginning lineup and selecting up elevated utilization. Only a few gamers within the NBA have put up comparable numbers on a constant foundation fairly like Mathurin in his three years within the league, at all times settling into the 15-16 PPG, 5-6 RPG, 2 APG, 1.5 3PG, 45 FG%, 83 FT% vary. Like Nembhard, Mathurin notched a profession excessive with 29.8 MPG in 2024-25, so a bump within the counting numbers is probably going so long as the minutes enhance whereas Haliburton is out.
Aaron Nesmith might additionally see a slight bump in scoring after serving as a secondary scorer and 3-pointer shooter for the Pacers for the previous three seasons, averaging 12.2 PPG in 2023-24 and 12.0 PPG in 2024-25.
T.J. McConnell, one other guard beneath contract by means of 2027-28, might see extra minutes and a fantasy increase as properly, particularly in assists and steals. Sport 7 of the Finals confirmed how productive he will be when given sufficient enjoying time. The 33-year-old has averaged 5.0 APG and 1.2 SPG in his regular 10-year NBA profession and, even with a wholesome Haliburton, has been a strong streamer in deeper leagues for years.
Myles Turner is an impending free agent, and his position as a rim-protector and 3-point shooter would stay in place if he re-signs with the Pacers. A slight bump in scoring can be probably, too. If he finally ends up elsewhere, nonetheless, it would trigger roles to shift much more on this dynamic Pacers squad.