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The Indiana Pacers Are In A Sticky Situation

By Robert Brunswick III

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Whether the Indiana Pacers make the playoffs or not, there’s a good chance the team collapses following the season

Paul George and the Indiana Pacers are teetering on the edge of the eighth seed, which doesn’t bode well for the future of the organization.

The Pacers haven’t made it to an Eastern Conference Finals since 2013-14, when the team led the conference in record.

George returned from a horrific leg injury in 2015-16, bringing back his high-caliber play as he averaged a career-high 23.1 points per game. With the help of a stellar rookie in Myles Turner, the Pacers reached the playoffs and their future looked bright.

Even with the additions of Thaddeus Young, Jeff Teague and Al Jefferson the Pacers are falling short of expectations, though. Jefferson is nowhere near as influential on the court as he was in Charlotte. Young is averaging lower counting stats this year, but his shooting has rounded out pretty well for Indiana.

Teague is having, arguably, his best season yet.

There are just elements of the Pacers’ roster that simply don’t fit well together. Monta Ellis lost his thunder this season and, although he thrived on the bench for much of the season, hasn’t made much of an impact on the offensive or defensive end of the floor.

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C. J. Miles has managed to pull off a decent year of scoring and shooting himself, and he’s added to the depth on the roster.

In recent news, the Pacers re-acquired Lance Stephenson to a three-year, $12 million deal. It appears the organization is making any last-minute pushes it needs to bolster the roster for the postseason. The injury to Rodney Stuckey was, reportedly, the motive for signing Stephenson.

What’s to come

Again, the Indiana Pacers are not guaranteed a playoff spot. In fact, there’s no telling how well-crafted the roster is for the postseason if they even make it. Missing the playoffs altogether, or making the playoffs and meeting a quick exit, prompts the organization to make some crucial decisions.

George is signed through 2018 with a player option for 2018-19. If he proceeds with the Pacers, he’d have an opportunity at free agency in 2019. Judging by the direction the organization is heading, though, demanding a trade could be in the All-Star’s immediate future.

Even if George remains under contract with Indiana until he hits the market, he’s getting his money’s worth. With the salary cap likely to rise for the next few seasons, he’d have the chance to head to a larger market in order to demand more money. Ignoring the money for a moment, though, a team with a winning culture is something George appears adamant about.

"“There’s no urgency, no sense of urgency, no winning pride,” George said, via Nate Taylor of the Indianapolis Star."

His name has been connected to the Lakers lately, an interesting concept to imagine for George. The talent is definitely there, but the situation in Los Angeles might not be much better for him. Nonetheless, he’d be returning to the state he was born in, and he’d be raking in hefty deals for the foreseeable future.

Must Read: If Paul George Decides To Leave Indiana, Here Are His Four Best Options

For the moment, though, the Indiana Pacers are taking things one step at a time, Stephenson being the beginning. His defensive intensity should bring some grit to the team, something George implied the team does not have, via Nate Taylor. With six games left in the season, there’s very little time for maneuverability for the Pacers this season.

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