Expectations for Hali + Did Pacers Give Up on Mathurin Too Soon?

Alex Golden is joined by Derek Schultz for a lengthy, loaded conversation about the Indiana Pacers as the start of the 2026-27 season continues to draw closer.

A good portion of today's show centers around Tyrese Haliburton and one of the biggest questions facing the Pacers: What are realistic expectations for Hali after missing 16 months of NBA basketball?

Alex and Derek discuss what success should look like for Haliburton this season, how patient fans need to be as he works his way back into form and what Indiana truly needs from its star point guard to compete at the highest level.

Then, the guys dive into Bennedict Mathurin signing with the New Orleans Pelicans. At the price Mathurin ultimately signed for, should the Pacers have any regrets about moving on? Would his scoring have been valuable on this current roster, or was Indiana right to prioritize other players and roster needs?

From there, Alex and Derek zoom out and look at the rest of the Eastern Conference. Which teams pose the biggest threat to Indiana? Where do the Pacers stack up against the conference's best, and which potential matchups should concern them the most?

Finally, the guys look WAY into the future with a fun exercise: Which current Pacers will still be on the roster five seasons from now?

Who is essentially untouchable? Which young players could become long-term pieces? And which familiar faces might be gone as Indiana's roster continues to evolve?

Haliburton expectations, Mathurin's departure, Eastern Conference threats and a look five years into the Pacers' future—a loaded episode with Derek Schultz!

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