There aren't many teams coming off a rough season that can suddenly make people think they'll have a magical season. But, the Indiana Pacers are getting lots of good buzz ahead of the fresh season, and ESPN's latest projection suggests they could be one of the league's biggest surprise teams. The Pacers landed tied for No. 1 in ESPN's voting for the team expected to make a major leap this season, earning 46 points.
That's the same number as the Utah Jazz, putting Indiana firmly at the top of the list. Considering where the Pacers were, that's quite a vote of confidence. More sports: Pistons Hit With Troubling 2026 Projection, But There’s Hope ESPN's panel pointed to the chance Indiana has to turn things around after finishing near the bottom of the standings.
Unlike some of the other teams receiving votes, though, the Pacers didn't get one of the top two picks in the draft. Still, the Pacers made a major move at the February trade deadline, bringing in Ivica Zubac in a deal that could become an important piece of their turnaround. The timing could be extra important, because Indiana is also getting Tyrese Haliburton back after he suffered a right Achilles tear.
ESPN noted that when the Pacers were whole, they defeated the Knicks in the playoffs in both 2024 and 2025. That's an important detail when looking at why there might be optimism around this team. Sports news: Wizards and AJ Dybantsa Could Have a Breakout Year Haliburton's return gives the Pacers a chance to look very different from the team that struggled its way toward the bottom of the standings.
Now, ESPN's panel is betting that Indiana could make a serious jump. So, the hype is getting interesting. With the Pacers tied for the most votes among the teams expected to make a major leap, Indiana isn't being treated like some random sleeper anymore.
There's a real expectation that this team could surprise people in 2026. So, maybe LeBron James will wish he had teamed with his buddy Haliburton this season.
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