With the opening of training camp 11 days away, the Pacers are out to embark on their most anticipated season since 2013, and one that inspires more optimism than all but a few since the turn of the century.
Kevin Pritchard, the team's president of basketball operations, made moves a year ago in his first summer on the job that helped propel the team to a 48-win season that far surpassed general expectations. This summer he has reshaped the bench via the draft and by replacing three popular and productive players in Lance Stephenson, Al Jefferson and Glenn Robinson III with Tyreke Evans, Kyle O'Quinn and Doug McDermott.