The Indiana Pacers have been voted the league's most improved team for the 2026-27 season in the NBA's annual General Manager survey. The poll, which gathers anonymous opinions from all 30 front offices, also placed the Pacers 7th in the Eastern Conference power rankings. This news comes as the team prepares for its final preseason game, following a tight 127-128 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on October 16.
General Managers see significant potential in Indiana's roster moves. A commanding 43% of votes named the Pacers the most improved team, far ahead of the second-place Washington Wizards at 23%. This suggests an expectation of a major leap, potentially adding 20 to 35 wins from last season's total. The survey also highlighted new acquisition Kelly Oubre Jr., who ranked 11th in votes for the most underrated player acquisition. Oubre is expected to be a dynamic sixth man, providing scoring punch off the bench and spot starts.
Coach Rick Carlisle earned high praise from his peers. He was voted the fourth-best coach in the NBA overall. More impressively, Carlisle received 30% of the vote for best in-game adjustments, ranking first in that specific category. This recognition shows his strategic value as the Pacers build a contender.
The GMs placed the Pacers 7th in their Eastern Conference hierarchy. The order listed was the New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, Detroit Pistons, Toronto Raptors, then Indiana. This ranking reflects a conference that has become intensely competitive. Some GMs did see higher upside, giving the Pacers votes as high as the No. 3 seed. The team's core, led by Tyrese Haliburton, is respected but faces a tough climb in a loaded East.
Notably, Haliburton did not appear in the voting for the NBA's best point guard. That category was swept by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Brunson, Luka Doncic, and Stephen Curry. No Pacer was listed among the top ten perimeter defenders either, a list topped by Amen Thompson and Alex Caruso. Andrew Nembhard will aim to change that perception this season.
The Pacers have been testing their lineup in a series of close preseason contests. Their most recent outing was a one-point loss, 127-128, to the Milwaukee Bucks on October 16. Before that, they fell 114-112 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on October 13 and 117-119 to the Atlanta Hawks on October 10. Their sole preseason win was a 123-112 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on October 7. These games are helping integrate new pieces like Oubre before the real action begins.
The Pacers conclude their preseason schedule with an away game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 21. After that, the focus shifts entirely to the regular season and proving the GMs right about their improvement. The team's potential will be tested against the very teams ranked above them. Fans can track the upcoming challenges on our schedule page. With a respected coach in Rick Carlisle and a roster built for a leap, the Pacers are poised to turn preseason predictions into regular-season results.
