NBA: Way-too-early prediction of the 16 playoff teams for the 2020-21 season

Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)
Los Angeles Lakers Anthony Davis (Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)
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Indiana Pacers
NBA Indiana Pacers T.J. Warren (Photo by Kim Klement – Pool/Getty Images)

7. Indiana Pacers

On paper, there is plenty to like about the Indiana Pacers. They will return their core four of Victor Oladipo, TJ Warren, Malcolm Brogdon, and Domantas Sabonis. Myles Turner is also a really good player that rounds out this team’s top 5 but could be on the move sooner rather than later.

The Pacers are talented and are pretty much a toss-up until we see how they play under new head coach Nate Bjorkgren and how healthy Oladipo looks. When Oladipo is healthy, you could make the argument for this team is a top 5 team in the conference.

When he isn’t, it’s tough to judge this team as a whole. Either way, with as much talent and depth that the Pacers have on their roster, the Pacers are not the team that any contender in the East should take lightly. They’re a playoff team.