How the Pacers' attack could look more potent since last we saw Tyrese Haliburton

The Indiana Pacers face a crucial question: Will Tyrese Haliburton return to his former self? Regardless, the team won't resemble their previous version. Last year, Myles Turner left the Pacers for the Milwaukee Bucks, followed by the acquisition of Ivica Zubac from the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for two first-round draft picks.

At first glance, replacing Turner with Zubac seems unconventional for a team that reached the NBA Finals by showcasing fast-paced, relentless play. Turner's three-point shooting was crucial to that offense, but Zubac excels in other areas. During the 2024-25 season, Haliburton contributed to 158 transition baskets while Turner was on the court, with just six of those passes going to Turner.

While there may be moments when Zubac is mostly in the half-court, his interior defense and rebounding skills make him a valuable asset. Zubac's ability to operate out of the post and score one of the league's best rates from the block makes him a versatile threat. With Haliburton and Turner together, Indiana had an offensive rating of 119.7, slightly higher than with Haliburton and Turner separated.

This demonstrates that even without a dominant finisher like Turner, the Pacers can maintain a potent offense. Zubac's addition provides the Pacers with a new dimension, complementing the team's existing perimeter creators and offering a fresh perspective when they need to change their approach.