Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back to put a bow on their Pacers Player Preview Series!

Instead of splitting the final two installments into separate episodes, the guys combine them for one loaded finale featuring Obi Toppin, Johnny Furphy, Jay Huff and Ivica Zubac.

Four completely different players. Four completely different roles. But each one has a chance to help unlock something important for this Pacers team.

The guys begin with Obi Toppin, who returns to an important role off Indiana's bench. How much will playing alongside Tyrese Haliburton again help Obi? What does he need to improve? Could we see more Toppin at the small-ball five? And what does a successful season look like for one of Indiana's most important reserves?

Next is Johnny Furphy, who continues working his way back from an ACL injury. The guys discuss what expectations should realistically look like for Furphy, whether he can work his way back onto the court this season and what would make this year a successful step forward in his development.

Then, Alex and Facci turn their attention to Jay Huff.

Huff enters the season with an opportunity to prove he can consistently handle the backup-center job. Can his outside shooting become a legitimate weapon? What does he need to do defensively? How many minutes can he earn behind Zubac? And what will determine whether Rick Carlisle trusts him every night?

Finally, it's time for perhaps the most fascinating player preview of the entire series: Ivica Zubac.

For the first time, Pacers fans will get to see Zubac share the floor with Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam. How does a traditional, physical, screen-setting and rim-running center change Indiana's offense? What can Haliburton unlock in Zubac—and what can Zubac unlock in Haliburton?

The guys dive into his fit, expectations, potential production and why Zubac might be the Pacers' biggest non-health-related X-factor this season.

Four players who could unlock four different elements of this team as Alex and Facci officially wrap up their 2026-27 Pacers Player Preview Series!

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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are BACK, and we've got some big Pacers news to discuss!

JAMES JOHNSON IS BACK!

After sitting out all of last season, the beloved Pacers veteran is returning to Indiana on an Exhibit 9 deal for training camp.

Alex and Facci discuss why bringing JJ back makes so much sense for this group, what his leadership means inside the Pacers locker room and why getting him around the team for training camp and the preseason could be valuable even if Indiana can't immediately carry him into the regular season.

Because of the Pacers' current salary situation, Johnson can't fit under Indiana's hard cap at the beginning of the season. However, once his veteran minimum becomes prorated enough, the Pacers could potentially bring him back beginning November 5.

So…is this essentially a preview of what's eventually coming?

Then, the guys turn their attention to some movement around the NBA that could have an impact on Indiana.

A former Pacer is on the move after being traded from Atlanta to Charlotte, but the more interesting piece for Pacers fans is Ryan Nembhard potentially hitting the open market.

Yes, Andrew's brother.

Should the Pacers prioritize using their remaining roster flexibility on a proven veteran like Johnson, or should they take a swing on an intriguing young prospect like Nembhard? Alex and Facci debate what makes the most sense for a team trying to contend now while still developing talent for the future.

Finally, the guys dive into a TON of recent Pacers conversation.

They react to Tyrese Haliburton's revealing interview with Boardroom, his one-on-one conversation with Pacers legend Reggie Miller, and some of the recent discussion surrounding Indiana from Brian Windhorst, Bill Simmons and Zach Lowe.

What are people around the NBA saying about the Pacers heading into the season? Are expectations beginning to rise again? And what stood out most from everything Haliburton had to say?

James Johnson is back, another Nembhard could suddenly be available, and the Pacers are becoming a major NBA talking point again.

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Alex Golden and Mike Facci continue their eight-part Pacers Player Preview Series, and this episode features three forwards at completely different stages of their NBA careers: Pascal Siakam, Larry Nance Jr. and Jalen Slawson.

The guys begin with Siakam, one of the leaders and most accomplished players on Indiana's roster.

At this stage of his career, what can Pascal actually improve? Alex and Facci discuss what Siakam brings every single night, the importance of his leadership and how his role could evolve with Tyrese Haliburton returning and Ivica Zubac now occupying the middle.

How will the Siakam-Zubac pairing work offensively? Will Pascal have more opportunities with the ball in his hands? And after everything he's already accomplished, what would another step forward actually look like?

Then, it's time to discuss one of Indiana's newest additions: Larry Nance Jr.

The veteran forward/center arrives with plenty of NBA experience and a strong reputation around the league, but what exactly will his role be with the Pacers?

Alex and Facci discuss whether Nance can still be an everyday rotation player, how he fits as a backup forward/center and what they need to see from him to feel confident about his role on a team with championship aspirations.

Finally, the guys turn their attention to Jalen Slawson, who enters the season on a two-way contract with something entirely different to prove.

Slawson has shown flashes, but can he turn those flashes into a legitimate NBA future? How much time will he spend with the Pacers compared to the Boom? What areas of his game need to improve? And how close is he to proving he deserves a standard NBA roster spot?

Three players. Three completely different roles.

An established leader. A respected veteran joining a new team. And a young player fighting to prove he belongs.

Alex and Facci break down what each player brings to the table, where each can improve, what they want to see this season and what success looks like for Pascal Siakam, Larry Nance Jr. and Jalen Slawson.

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