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"From my understanding, behind the scenes, Rick Carlisle is one of the more active coaches in the league when it comes to influence over the roster," reports Jake Fischer. Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan have long been entrenched in the front office of the Pacers predating Carlisle's arrival. "Carlisle is known around the league to have as formidable of a finger on the Pacers' roster construction and overall talent evaluation—just roster construction and player scouting and draft evaluations," added Fischer.
“Since his return to the Pacers in 2021, Coach Carlisle has been integral to our success, which includes leading us to consecutive Eastern Conference Finals appearances and our first NBA Finals appearance in 25 years,” said President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “Beyond his coaching achievements that rank him among the best in NBA history, Coach Carlisle continues to embrace our community and give back to the state of Indiana with his Drive and Dish program. We are thrilled to have him continue leading our team and representing our organization well into the future.”
Kevin Pritchard an option for Toronto?
But an interesting name to watch is Kevin Pritchard, the long-time Indiana Pacers president who led the club to the NBA Finals this past June and the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024. One league insider suggested to me that the Pacers executive is MLSE’s preferred choice, although lateral moves when executives are under contract with other teams are often harder to execute than when there is a promotion.
Tony East: Rick Carlisle, Jenny Boucek, Lloyd Pierce, Chad Buchanan, Ted Wu, and Kevin Pritchard all here for Pacers-Cavs. Much of the rest of the staff, too.
Team president Kevin Pritchard suggested that the team, and ownership, were more than willing to go into the luxury tax to keep Turner, although he walked, and they didn't find out until the news was initially broken by ESPN. Rick Carlsile took the high road, not blaming Turner but rather the environment created by fierce negotiations. "I think what probably happened, and this is part of negotiation in any sport, a team will say, hey, look, we have this offer, it's this much over this many years. But if we make this offer, we need to know that you're gonna take it and not shop it," explained Carlisle on the Green Light podcast. "I believe that's what probably happened with Milwaukee. They just jumped at it, and there was never, there's never a chance to counter. Those things happen. And when they do, you just gotta keep going."
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Pacers confirm Tyrese Haliburton will not play in 2025-26
Tony East: Kevin Pritchard confirms Tyrese Haliburton will not play next season.
James Johnson, the Pacers’ veteran forward who rarely plays but is the team’s resident protector, helped carry Haliburton off the floor. “That was heartbreaking,” he said. “I know how hard he works, how bad he wanted it, and I know the hours he puts in, day in and day out. … Just to even be here was an honor, to sit courtside and help cheer on these guys was an honor, man. There’s a group character that’s hard to find. KP (Pritchard) and (Pacers general manager) Chad (Buchanan) did a great job of putting this group together, and getting high-character guys.”
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“I thought ever since I got here, we just had a special group,” he said, sitting at his locker after the Game 6 victory. Even when the team was 9-14 to start 2024-25, Nesmith remembered that there was internal belief from the team that they could reach this level. They were right. “We just get working and get better day after day after day. This is just a combination of everybody’s hard work,” Nesmith added. He had a meaningful conversation with President Of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard on the court after the conference finals victory – Pritchard believed in Nesmith back in 2022 and acquired him in a trade that changed the trajectory of the Pacers.
Dustin Dopirak: Rick Carlisle asked about how he's been able to adapt and change playing styles. Said in this case with this group of guys it became very clear to them when they got Tyrese Haliburton that the team had to match his style. Said Kevin Pritchard has done a great job building around him also.
Bobby Manning: Pritchard & White both stressed going into the AS break strong. Pritchard: "I always take the mindset, even in my offseason training. If I'm gonna take a break, I try to really push that week before the break. End it good, and then go into the break, relax...have the momentum"
“It is safe to say that every team in the NBA would like a player that possesses the same intensity, competitive spirit, and passion for the game and his teammates as T.J. McConnell,” said President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard. “T.J. has become a steadying veteran presence for our team both on and off the court, and his value to our franchise cannot be overstated. He was an integral part of our success last year and we’re happy that he will continue to be a part of what we’re building here.”
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