The Indiana Pacers suffered a crushing Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals, falling just short of capturing their first-ever NBA championship. To make matters worse, star point guard Tyrese Haliburton tore his Achilles during the game and is expected to miss the entire upcoming season. This sudden setback drastically alters Indiana’s outlook—transforming them from a title contender to a team that may struggle to even make the playoffs.

With Haliburton sidelined, Pacers president Kevin Pritchard faces the challenge of finding a temporary solution at point guard. While no one can truly replace Haliburton’s impact, Indiana will need to bring in a playmaker capable of keeping the offense flowing.

One name that’s been floated as a potential free-agent target is veteran guard Chris Paul. As noted by Daniel Chavkin of The Sporting News, Paul could be a short-term answer. Now 40 years old and nearing the end of his career, Paul just finished the 2024–25 season with the San Antonio Spurs, where he played all 82 games. He averaged 8.8 points, 7.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 42.7% from the field and 37.7% from three-point range.

Chavkin points out that Paul might be interested in joining a team like Indiana, which was just in the NBA Finals and features a roster that could benefit from a pass-first veteran leader. While Paul isn’t likely to be Indiana’s top target, his experience and leadership could make him an intriguing option for a one-year stopgap.

As the offseason unfolds, expect the Pacers to be linked to a variety of potential replacements. Whether or not Paul ends up in Indiana, his name will likely continue to surface in the rumor mill in the weeks ahead.