Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast

The Indiana Pacers are back in the NBA Draft! Alex Golden and Mike Facci react to Indiana's decision to trade back into the second round, acquiring the draft rights to Braden Smith from the Chicago Bulls. The deal sends Kam Jones, cash considerations and a future second-round pick swap to Chicago as the Pacers land one of the most accomplished point guards in college basketball. On today's episode, the guys discuss: Why Indiana targeted Braden Smith What Smith brings to the Pacers on both ends of the floor Why the front office felt it was worth trading back into the second round The value of the trade package What this means for Kam Jones and the Pacers' backcourt moving forward How Smith fits alongside the current roster Expectations for his rookie season and long-term outlook Alex and Facci break down every angle of Indiana's latest move and explain why the Pacers believe Braden Smith can become an important piece of the franchise moving forward.

Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back to react to the latest wave of pre-draft rumors, trades and reports that are beginning to reshape the NBA landscape. The guys discuss how the recent transactions impact the Eastern Conference and what they could mean for the Indiana Pacers as the offseason continues to heat up. On today's show: The growing buzz surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo potentially landing with the Miami Heat What the future looks like for the Milwaukee Bucks if Giannis is moved The fallout in Boston Celtics and why Jaylen Brown could become one of the biggest names on the trade market What it would realistically take for Indiana to acquire Brown How all of these moves could impact the Pacers' path back to the NBA Finals It's a rumor-heavy episode packed with trade speculation, roster-building discussion and a look at how one blockbuster move could completely reshape the Eastern Conference.

Alex Golden is joined by Brad and Ryan Knight of The Pacers Post Up for a jam-packed episode breaking down the latest NBA offseason rumors and what they could mean for the Indiana Pacers. The guys discuss the latest buzz surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, with reports linking him to the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, and what that could mean for Jaylen Brown's future. The conversation also includes: What a realistic trade package for Trey Murphy III would look like Reports surrounding Walker Kessler and his desire to play in Indiana Whether the Pacers are better off with Ivica Zubac or Kessler long term The likelihood of Zubac expanding his game to the three-point line Whether Jarace Walker will still be on Indiana's roster by the trade deadline It's a rumor-filled episode packed with trade discussions, roster debates and plenty of offseason speculation surrounding the Pacers and the rest of the NBA.

Alex Golden is joined by Corban Ford in Casey Johnson's absence to break down the Indiana Fever's 108-101 loss to the Atlanta Dream. The game turned on a lopsided second quarter that left Indiana trailing by nine at halftime, but the Fever refused to quit. Alex and Corban discuss: The disastrous second quarter that put Indiana behind The incredible fourth-quarter rally while Caitlin Clark was on the bench with foul trouble Why the Fever couldn't sustain that momentum once Clark returned The impact of Clark's foul trouble throughout the game What Indiana did well during its comeback attempt The biggest takeaways from another competitive battle Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives to build on, and Alex and Corban break down what Indiana needs to clean up before its next game on another episode of The Fever Focus Podcast.

Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with Part 3 of the June Mailbag Series, tackling the financial side of the Indiana Pacers' offseason. This episode centers around one question that every Pacers fan is asking: Will ownership finally be willing to pay the luxury tax to keep this championship window open? The guys answer questions about: What are the realistic chances Indiana enters the luxury tax? Is there any reason to believe Herb Simon won't spend after everything this team has accomplished? If the Pacers use the full Mid-Level Exception, how much tradable salary would they have at the deadline? What type of player could Indiana realistically target in a midseason trade? Is there any scenario where the Pacers could add both Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes? Which free agents make the most sense for Indiana this summer? The latest on who could be broadcasting Pacers games next season. A fun mailbag episode diving into salary cap strategy, free agency, ownership spending and everything surrounding the Pacers' pivotal offseason.

Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with Part 2 of the June Mailbag Series, and this episode centers around one major question: Should the Indiana Pacers go all-in? After coming so close to a championship, the guys debate whether now is the time to make a major move or if patience remains the smartest path forward. Questions discussed include: Is it time for Indiana to make a championship-level move? Which players could realistically help the Pacers get over the hump? Can the Pacers go all-in without sacrificing a second championship window around Tyrese Haliburton? Should Indiana make a move now or wait until the trade deadline? If one member of the Core 7 had to be moved alongside T. J. McConnell, who would it be? What is the most realistic way to improve the roster this offseason? What is the biggest thing standing between the Pacers and true title contention? Does Indiana have enough elite shooting if they stand pat? A fun and thought-provoking mailbag episode focused on roster-building philosophy, championship windows and what comes next for the Pacers.

Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of The Fever Focus Podcast, and this week they're joined by a very special guest: Robin Lundberg. Robin is one of the most knowledgeable voices covering the Indiana Fever, and he joins the show for an in-depth conversation on several of the biggest storylines surrounding the team. The guys discuss: The competitive dynamic between Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White The recent team meeting between players and coaches What the Fever can learn from recent struggles Potential ways Indiana could improve the roster Which areas of the team need the most attention moving forward Expectations for the rest of the season Plus, plenty of additional Fever discussion and insight from one of the sharpest analysts covering the team. A loaded episode full of thoughtful conversation, analysis and perspective on where the Fever stand today and where they're headed next.

Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with a fascinating discussion on team building, championship windows and the future of the NBA. The guys open the show by discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder falling in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and what it means for the rest of the league moving forward. Has the NBA officially entered the era of trying to build rosters capable of stopping Victor Wembanyama? Alex and Facci debate: What the ideal roster looks like in a Wemby-dominated league Whether Indiana already has the framework in place What the Pacers may still need to add Then, the conversation shifts to comments from Bill Simmons, who suggested that Trey Murphy III could potentially be traded in the coming weeks. The guys discuss: What Murphy's trade value might be Which teams could be competing to acquire him Whether Indiana should be willing to part with future assets How much the Pacers should prioritize winning now versus preserving flexibility And perhaps the biggest question of all: Is Indiana's championship window only two years, or could adding a player like Trey Murphy extend it for another five-plus seasons? A loaded offseason episode centered around roster construction, championship windows and one of the NBA's most intriguing trade possibilities.