Indiana Pacers get praise for offensive flash and ability in 2024 NBA GM Survey

General managers shared their thoughts on the Pacers
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle talks to guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter of the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Dec 9, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle talks to guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) during the first quarter of the NBA In-Season Tournament Championship game against the Los Angeles Lakers at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images / Candice Ward-Imagn Images
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John Schuhmann of NBA.com published the 2024 NBA GM Survey earlier this week, and the Indiana Pacers received frequent praise from the league's decision makers.

Most of the praise comes in the form of individuals getting high marks or the team getting complimented. Despite this, GMs aren't particularly high on the blue and gold as a team. They predict that the team will finish seventh in the Eastern Conference this season, with 14% of those surveyed putting the Pacers in the East's fourth spot.

Last year, the Pacers finished sixth in the East during the regular season, but they were tied with the seventh seed in total wins. Without some internal improvement, Indiana will be fighting to climb above the seven spot again in the coming season.

Individual players on the blue and gold were celebrated in the survey. Here are all the mentions of anyone on the Pacers roster by GMs.

Which player is most likely to have a breakout season in 2024-25? Andrew Nembhard received votes.

Which rookie was the biggest steal at where he was selected in the Draft? Johnny Furphy finished tied for first place with 10% of the votes. He shares that spot with five others.

Which active player will make the best head coach someday? T.J. McConnell landed in fourth in this category with 7% of the votes. He is a frequent high finisher in this category.

Which player is the best passer? Star guard Tyrese Haliburton finished in third with 10% of votes.

Which player has the best basketball IQ? Tyrese Haliburton landed in fifth with 3% of the votes.

Head coach Rick Carlisle, also an individual with the Pacers, fared well in a few categories.

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments? Carlisle landed in a tie for fourth with 7% of the votes.

Which head coach runs the best offense? Rick Carlisle dominated this category, finishing in first place by a mile with 47% of the votes.

As a team, the blue and gold were mentioned in a few categories, Their high-level offense yet inconsistent play made them an easy choice for a few of the survey questions.

Which team is the most fun to watch? The Pacers landed in first place with 37% of the votes.

Which team will have the league’s most efficient offense this season? Indiana finished in second place with 20% of the votes. They only were behind the Boston Celtics in offensive rating last season, and the Celtics took home the most votes via this question.

Which team’s level of success this season is toughest to predict? The Pacers received votes. They have a high ceiling but a potentially average floor.

The full survey can be found here.


  • Indiana Pacers young wing Ben Sheppard is impressive during training camp, studying his own teammates to improve. CLICK HERE.
  • Andrew Nembhard shines during Indiana Pacers 2024 FanJam plus other scrimmage thoughts. CLICK HERE.
  • Pacers GM Chad Buchanan on Myles Turner's future: 'We want him to be here'. CLICK HERE.
  • Key moments from Indiana Pacers vs Atlanta Hawks as preseason action kicked off. CLICK HERE.
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Tony East
TONY EAST

Tony East is the Publisher of AllPacers. He has previously written for Forbes Sports, the West Indianapolis Community News, WTHR, and more while hosting the Locked On Pacers podcast.