The Pacers Post Up

The Contingency Plan Arrives: Kelly Oubre Jr. and the Evolving East - LIVE REACTION 02.07.2026 42λ

In this live Twitter/X reaction episode, Brad and Ryan break down Indiana’s signing of Kelly Oubre Jr. and why this move could prove to be another masterstroke by Kevin Pritchard, Chad Buchanan, and the Pacers front office. At just $8.25 million annually, Indiana adds the versatile two-way wing they’ve been searching for while fully embracing what now appears to be a clear two-year championship window. We discuss how Oubre fits alongside Tyrese Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and the newly acquired Ivica Zubac, what he brings defensively, and why his cutting, transition play, and positional versatility make him such a seamless fit in Rick Carlisle’s system. From there, we zoom out and evaluate the new-look Eastern Conference after an aggressive start to free agency. Miami, Toronto, Boston, and Philadelphia have all made significant moves to strengthen their rosters—but where do the Pacers now stack up in the race to represent the East? We also touch on the latest rumors surrounding LeBron James, Walker Kessler and the Lakers, discuss what other moves Indiana could still have up its sleeve, and close by talking about the NBA Cup heading to Indianapolis and what another historic event means for Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Day 1 Free Agency: Trades, Rumors & Pacers Targets 01.07.2026 27λ

Day 1 of NBA free agency is in the books, and we're reacting to all the biggest signings trades, and the latest rumors around the Indiana Pacers. We also break down the players Indiana has been linked to and discuss which moves make the most sense as the offseason heats up.

Pacers Trade for Braden Smith | NBA Draft Recap 25.06.2026 22λ

The Pacers Post Up Podcast recaps the biggest storylines from the NBA Draft, including Indiana's move into the second round to select Purdue point guard Bradyen Smith. We also look ahead to free agency and discuss what moves could shape the Pacers' roster for next season.

10 Burning Questions Ahead of the NBA Draft 23.06.2026 1ώ

The NBA Draft is here, trade season is heating up, and Brad and Ryan are back in the saddle to tackle the 10 biggest questions facing the league. Will Giannis Antetokounmpo finally be moved, and if so, where is he going? We discuss the growing buzz surrounding Boston and Miami and what a potential Giannis sweepstakes could look like. We also react to Trae Young’s massive new deal in Washington—a contract that may already be entering the conversation for one of the league’s worst—and what it says about the Wizards’ direction moving forward. From a Pacers perspective, we explore what “big” moves could realistically be on the table this offseason. Could Indiana make a surprise splash, or is continuity still the most likely path forward? Plus, we preview the top five picks in Tuesday night’s draft, discuss the prospects most likely to reshape the league, and go Around the Horn on some of the biggest stories making headlines across the NBA.

Congrats to the N… Nope: The Pacers Comeback Tour Starts Now 15.06.2026 30λ

The NBA season is officially over. The Knicks are champions, Jalen Brunson has his Finals MVP, and yes… Ryan gives New York their flowers. Brad, on the other hand, isn’t quite ready to go that far. In this season wrap-up episode, we discuss the Knicks’ championship run, Brunson’s Finals MVP performance, the conversation surrounding his contract and willingness to take less money, and the iconic Game 4 shot from IU’s OG Anunoby that helped swing the series. But more importantly, we shift our focus to what comes next. With Tyrese Haliburton expected back next season, the Pacers enter the offseason in a familiar position: overlooked. Despite a roster loaded with talent, Vegas oddsmakers and national media continue to underestimate Indiana’s ceiling, and that perceived disrespect could become a powerful motivator for a team with legitimate championship aspirations. The Knicks got their moment. Now it’s time for Indiana to begin writing its comeback story.

Pacers Around the Horn: Rumors, Roster Moves & Rooting Against New York 11.06.2026 37λ

This episode, Ryan and Brad discuss several intriguing names that have been linked to Indiana or could make sense as offseason targets, including Ayo Dosunmu, Naji Marshall, Yves Missi, and a true wild card in Jonathan Isaac. What would each bring to the roster, and which names make the most sense for the Pacers moving forward? We also discuss the possibility of Jay Huff heading to Boston and what that could mean for Indiana’s frontcourt depth and offseason plans. To wrap things up, we turn our attention to the NBA Finals, the antics surrounding the Knicks fan base following Game 3, and what we’re hoping to see the rest of the way as the series continues.

Pacers Player Predictions Vol. 5: Entering the Ivica Zubac Era 08.06.2026 46λ

It’s the fifth and final installment of our Player Prediction Series, and we’re wrapping things up with perhaps the biggest mystery on the Pacers roster: Ivica Zubac. After last season’s blockbuster trade, Pacers fans only got a brief glimpse of the team’s new center before a rib injury ended his season after just five games in a blue and gold uniform. We never got to see him share the floor with Tyrese Haliburton or Pascal Siakam, leaving plenty of questions heading into next season. How will Zubac’s numbers translate in Indiana? What impact can he have as the defensive anchor of this team? Will the Pacers finally solve their rebounding issues? And how does the offense evolve with a traditional center occupying the paint instead of the spacing provided by previous lineups? Ryan and Brad break down their statistical projections, expectations, and concerns for Indiana’s new man in the middle while discussing what success would look like in Year 1 of the Zubac era. Plus, we close out the show with a look ahead to Game 3 of the NBA Finals as the series shifts to Madison Square Garden.

Pacers Player Predictions Vol. 4: How Good Is Pascal Siakam, Really? 02.06.2026 38λ

Pascal Siakam keeps producing… and people keep overlooking him. Brad and Ryan break down the outlook for Indiana’s star forward as he heads into his third full season with the Pacers. From stat projections and award predictions to his standing among the league’s best players, the guys discuss why Siakam remains one of the NBA’s most underrated stars and what another year alongside Tyrese Haliburton could mean for his production. Can Pascal make another All-Star team? Does he have a path back to All-NBA consideration? And why does he continue to be one of the most overlooked players in the league? Plus, a preview of the Spurs-Knicks Finals and the ripple effects for the Pacers moving forward.

Pacers Player Predictions Vol. 3: Double A Energy 28.05.2026 40λ

Every contender needs a guy like Aaron Nesmith. Brad and Ryan continue their “Pacers Player Predictions” series with a deep dive into one of the emotional engines of the Pacers roster: Aaron “Double A” Nesmith. Coming off a season where he posted career highs across the board after one of the most efficient postseason shooting performances in NBA history the year before, Nesmith enters next season as one of Indiana’s most important glue guys for another title push. The guys discuss Aaron’s offensive growth, defensive versatility, elite energy, and why he’s exactly the kind of player every championship team needs. Plus: stat projections, defensive expectations, shooting outlook, and whether another leap could be coming for one of the Pacers ultimate blue-collar stars.

Pacers Player Predictions Vol. 2: Welcome to Nembhell 26.05.2026 24λ

The Pacers may have one of the NBA’s best two-way guards hiding in plain sight. Brad and Ryan continue their “Pacers Player Predictions” series with a deep dive into the Pacers starting two guard and one of the most versatile backcourt players in the NBA. After stepping into primary playmaking duties and averaging nearly 17 points and 8 assists while ranking Top 7 in the league in assists, what does Nembhard’s role look like with Tyrese Haliburton back in the lineup? The guys discuss how much on-ball responsibility he’ll continue to carry, whether another leap defensively could put All-Defensive honors within reach, and why “Nembhell” has become one of the toughest experiences in basketball for opposing guards. Plus: stat predictions, playoff expectations, and how critical Nembhard’s two-way impact is to another Pacers title push.

Pacers Player Predictions Vol. 1: The Return of Tyrese Haliburton 25.05.2026 33λ

A new offseason series begins… and there was only one place to start. Brad and Ryan kick off the first episode of their 5-part “Pacers Player Predictions” series with a deep dive into the face of the franchise: Tyrese Haliburton. Coming off the Achilles injury and the heartbreaking ending to Indiana’s Finals run, what can Pacers fans realistically expect from Hali next season? The guys break down projected stat lines, possible awards, workload expectations, and whether Tyrese can return to being the engine of another championship push.

The End of an Era: How the Pacers Broke the Bucks 21.05.2026 37λ

It sounds dramatic… but are we sure it’s wrong? Brad and Ryan take a deep dive into the Pacers role in the unraveling of the Milwaukee Bucks over the last few seasons. From Indiana dominating the Bucks throughout the 2024 season—including the In-Season Tournament semifinal in Las Vegas—to back-to-back first-round playoff eliminations, the guys trace the timeline of a rivalry that may have fundamentally altered the trajectory of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s title window in Milwaukee. The infamous game-ball drama. Pat Beverley’s final NBA moment. Coaching firings. The Damian Lillard disaster. Brook Lopez’s exit. Khris Middleton traded. And of course the ridiculous Myles Turner deal sitting on Milwaukee’s books through 2029. At every turn, the Pacers seemed to be standing on the other side of the Bucks downfall. Was Indiana the team that officially ended an era?

So, What’s Next? Mapping Out the Pacers Offseason Post Lottery 19.05.2026 29λ

The lottery is over. The pick is gone. So… what’s next for the Pacers? Brad and Ryan shift the focus from lottery disappointment to the rest of Indiana’s offseason roadmap, breaking down everything Pacers fans still have to look forward to over the coming months. Could the Pacers trade back into the draft? What does free agency look like? Which storylines matter most heading into Summer League and training camp? Plus, the guys discuss the possibility of another summer workout run at Pascal Siakam’s place in Orlando as the team gears up for another push next season. A full offseason calendar and look ahead at the key dates and moments Pacers fans should have circled.

The Reaction to the Reaction: All is Not Lost Pacers Nation 13.05.2026 30λ

The lottery reaction was one thing… the fallout afterward somehow got even crazier. Brad and Ryan regroup to break down the discourse surrounding the Pacers officially conveying the No. 5 pick to the Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. The guys explain why this was still the correct “win-now” move for Indiana, why Zubac remains one of the best values at the center position in the league, and why context matters when evaluating aggressive front office decisions. They also discuss Kevin Pritchard’s transparency and accountability in the aftermath of the lottery, while reacting to some of the wildly over-the-top national takes calling the trade a disaster or suggesting KP should be fired. A passionate conversation about risk, roster building, and why the Pacers are still positioned to make another serious run next season.

Cue the Sadness: Pacers Fall Out of the Top 4 (LIVE REACTION SHOW) 10.05.2026 34λ

The vibes were immaculate… until they absolutely weren’t. Brad and Ryan go LIVE to react to the NBA Draft Lottery as the Pacers officially fall outside the top four, sending their pick to the Clippers as part of the Ivica Zubac trade. What started as a hopeful afternoon quickly turned into a sobering reality check as Indiana misses out on the chance to land a potential franchise-changing talent. So where do the Pacers pivot from here? The guys break down what this means for the offseason, the new paths toward contention, and why Plan B now becomes the focus if Indiana wants to get back into the championship conversation next season.

The WAY TOO EARLY 2027 Eastern Conference Power Rankings 08.05.2026 37λ

It’s never too early to start dreaming about next season. With playoff basketball in full swing, Brad and Ryan rank the Eastern Conference contenders from 8 to 1 heading into the 2026–2027 season. This isn’t about regular-season records—it’s about which teams can actually survive the playoffs and make a Finals run. Who belongs in the top tier? Which teams are overrated? And where do the Pacers stack up in the race for Eastern Conference supremacy? Bold takes, playoff reactions, and plenty of early offseason speculation in this one.

Top 10 “Must-Do” Priorities of the Pacers Offseason 06.05.2026 41λ

What does Indiana absolutely NEED to accomplish this offseason to get back into title contention? Brad and Ryan break down their top 10 goals/checklist items for the Pacers heading into a pivotal summer. From the draft and free agency to player health, roster depth, and fringe contracts that could quietly swing the ceiling of the team, the guys outline the moves and decisions that matter most. Which areas need immediate attention? What internal improvements are non-negotiable? And what could push this roster from competitive to legitimate contender status next season? A full blueprint for the Pacers offseason.

Top-4 Pick Trade Ideas - And Why the Pacers Should Probably Keep It (If They Get It) 04.05.2026 52λ

What if the Pacers land a top-four pick… and decide to move it? Brad and Ryan dive into a series of mock trade scenarios involving Indiana’s potential lottery pick, exploring which players around the league might actually be worth the risk. From star upside to contract concerns and long-term roster fit, the guys break down the realistic options—and quickly realize how difficult it is to find a deal that truly makes sense. By the end of the episode, one conclusion becomes clear: if the Pacers land in the top four, drafting the pick may be the smartest move after all.

Pacers Report Card Series – Part 3: The Centers (No Longer by Committee) 30.04.2026 26λ

We wrap up our 3-part report card series by heading into the paint. Brad and Ryan evaluate the Pacers’ centers from top to bottom, including Ivica Zubac, Jay Huff, Micah Potter, and a little extra spice at the end (be sure to stick around). From rim protection to offensive playmaking, we hand out final grades and discuss who made the most of their opportunities this season. Which bigs earned a role moving forward, and where does Indiana still need more? Full breakdowns and final verdicts to close out the series.

Pacers Report Card Series – Part 2: The Forwards and Wings 29.04.2026 44λ

Part 2 of our Pacers report card series shifts to the forwards and wings, where versatility and impact were on full display all season. Brad and Ryan grade performances from Pascal Siakam, Obi Toppin, Aaron Nesmith, and the rest of the forward group—including the two-way players who stepped into bigger roles down the stretch. Who delivered on expectations? Who took a leap? And how does this group shape the Pacers’ future? We break it all down with honest grades and big-picture context.