Pacers Eye a Redemption Run: What Zubac, Nembhard Mean for Fantasy
Indiana adds Ivica Zubac (31.9 FPTS/G last season) and waits on Haliburton's Achilles recovery, reshaping the fantasy value of a Finals core.
Extra usage with Haliburton out early makes him a value at his ADP.
- Zubac: 14.1 pts, 10.6 reb, 2.2 ast in 48 games last season
- Zubac ranks #74 overall, #15 among centers in our model
- Nembhard put up 32.4 FPTS/G across 57 games in 2025-26
- Nembhard's last 5 games ran +5 FPTS vs his 2025-26 average
- Nesmith sits at #156 overall after 23.6 FPTS/G last year
The Pacers never got to defend their 2025 Eastern crown — injuries gutted the roster and the rival Knicks walked off with the title in their absence. This year Indiana returns with a rebuilt front line, a healthier core, and Rick Carlisle still steering the ship. The headline move: trading for Ivica Zubac, who posted 14.1 points and 10.6 rebounds a night on 31.9 fantasy points per game (2025-26 actual) across 48 games.
Zubac immediately becomes the most valuable big Indiana has rostered in years. Our model has him at #74 overall and #15 among centers, and the two-man game with Tyrese Haliburton should only sharpen his fantasy ceiling once the point guard is back. Haliburton is working back from an Achilles tear, so the timeline is the whole story here — his value ramps as the season goes.
The Rotation Picture
The returning Finals pieces are still around: Andrew Nembhard, Pascal Siakam and Obi Toppin all came back. Nembhard is the sneaky-important name for fantasy managers, posting 16.9 points and 7.7 assists on 32.4 fantasy points per game (2025-26 actual) over 57 games. His last five games trended up — plus-5 fantasy points versus his season average — and that arrow only points higher while Haliburton eases in.
Depth is the Pacers' quiet strength. TJ McConnell anchors the second unit, Aaron Nesmith and Ben Sheppard earned real minutes during last year's injury-riddled campaign, and Jay Huff and Jarace Walker are lottery-ticket upside plays. Nesmith checks in at #156 overall (23.6 FPTS/G last season), while Sheppard is deep-league fodder at #296.
The Fantasy Fallout
The catch: bad vibes and a tough Eastern Conference make this less than a slam dunk, and Zubac's own form dipped late last year — minus-6.2 fantasy points over his final five games. That's noise on a new team, but worth monitoring. The real risk-reward lever is Haliburton's ramp, which temporarily inflates the value of everyone around him.
Bottom line: buy low on Nembhard while his ADP still reflects a crowded backcourt — early-season usage with Haliburton limited makes him a value. Draft Zubac as a top-15 center with confidence, hold Nesmith as a stream-worthy wing, and keep Sheppard on the watch list for deep formats only.
