Indiana Pacers prepare for NBA season with Haliburton return and Zubac acquisition

The Indiana Pacers are preparing for a new NBA season following a difficult 19–63 campaign. The team is focused on the return of star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who is recovering from an Achilles tendon rupture sustained during the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

To bolster their roster, the Pacers acquired center Ivica Zubac in a trade with the Los Angeles Clippers. Zubac, a physical presence known for his rebounding and high basketball IQ, is expected to fill the void left by Myles Turner. Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has already highlighted Zubac as one of the league's toughest individual defensive matchups due to his size and physicality.

While Haliburton is expected to be ready for the season opener, the team is managing expectations regarding his immediate workload and form as he continues his rehabilitation.