Indiana Pacers 2021-22 NBA Roster: Will Domantas Sabonis Lead the Charge for a Playoff Spot This Season?

Three-time ABA champion Indiana Pacers have been struggling for quite some time now. After losing two consecutive conference finals in 2013 and 2014, they have failed to go past the first round. In fact, the Pacers crashed out of the playoffs in the first round for five consecutive seasons from 2015-16 to 2019-20.

2020-21 NBA season was a season to forget for the Pacers as they finished ninth in the Eastern Conference. They posted a 34-38 record last season and lost to Washington Wizards in the play-in tournament. Nate Bjorkgren was fired after the loss as the Pacers missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2014-15 NBA season.

However, they have made a little noise in the off-season and have six rookies among seven incomings.

Incoming players

Torrey Craig

The Pacers signed 30-year-old small forward Torrey Craig in free agency last month. He has played for eight teams across the globe after going undrafted in 2014. He signed his first NBA contract with the Nuggets in a two-way deal. After spending three seasons with Denver Nuggets, Torrey signed with Milwaukee Bucks, who then traded him to Phoenix Suns after three months. However, he has played in the post-season in the past three seasons.

Chris Duarte

Indiana Pacers selected 24-year-old Duarte with the 13th overall pick in the 2021 NBA draft. He already made his Pacers debut in the Summer League last month.

Isaiah Jackson

Los Angeles Lakers drafted Isaiah with the 22nd overall pick at the 2021 NBA draft. However, they acquired him in a five-team trade.

Keifer Sykes

After going undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft, Sykes was acquired by Austin Spurs of the NBA D League. Next year, Anyang KGC of the Korean Basketball League selected him in the 2016 KBL draft. He then played for several teams in Turkey, Italy, China, Greece, and Australia. The Pacers signed him last month.

DeJon Jarreau, Terry Taylor, and Duane Washington Jr. (Undrafted in the 2021 Draft)

Outgoing players

Aaron Holiday (Washington Wizards)

The Indiana Pacers selected Holiday with the 23rd overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft, who signed a three-year deal with the franchise. He slowly made his way up and became an integral part of the Pacers’ roster. However, after three seasons, the franchise traded Aaron, Isaiah Todd’s rights, and some cash consideration to Washington Wizards. The Pacers acquired Isaiah Jackson’s draft rights as part of the deal.

Doug McDermott (San Antonio Spurs)

29-year-old small forward has joined San Antonio Spurs in a sign and trade deal. The Pacers have acquired Spurs’ 2023 protected 2nd round pick. McDermott averaged 13.6 PPG, 3.3 RPG, and 1.3 APG for the Pacers last season while playing 66 regular-season games last season.

Amida Brimah, Cassius Stanley, and JaKarr Sampson (Free agency)

Indiana Pacers 2021-22 NBA Roster

Frontcourt

Goga Bitadze

OShae Brissett

Torrey Craig

Justin Holiday

Isaiah Jackson

Kelan Martin

Domantas Sabonis

Terry Taylor

Myles Turner

TJ Warren

Backcourt

Malcolm Brogdon

Chris Duarte

DeJon Jarreau

Jeremy Lamb

Caris LeVert

T.J. McConnell

Edmund Sumner

Keifer Sykes

Duane Washington, Jr.

The Pacers haven’t spent big in the off-season. They have added seven players to their roster, six of them are rookies. While the fresh additions may look inexperienced, some rookies will prove to be solid in the coming season. With a new coach and a young roster at their helm, what are their chances of qualifying for the playoffs? Let us know in the comments section below.

READ MORE: Domantas Sabonis Earns a Special Place in Indiana Pacers Record Books With a Unique Record