Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back for Part 2 of the August Mailbag!

1). Josh

Does Andrew want to run his own team after getting to do so this year?

2). Professor X

Will Nembhard produce Hali esque numbers with Hali’s mentorship?

3). Keenan

The Pacers have not had a good track record of signing their draft picks to second contracts. Which player currently on his rookie deal (Mathurin, Walker, Sheppard, Furphy, or Jones) do you see having a long term role in the Pacers’ organization beyond the next couple of seasons?

4). Life Enthusiast (3 questions)

A. Would you rather see one of the fringe rotational players (think Furph/Wiseman) hit amid this year of developmental freedom or the Pacers consolidate and allow for a more likely contender (ex. Benn) to thrive with consistent minutes?

B. What does a “successful” season look like to you?

C. Would you rather the roster look more similar or different to its current state by the end of the season?

5). SP/DR KekLord

With no Haliburton , do you think that players on our team like Nesmith will improve on creating their own shots ?

6). Jamison Mc

Which do you think could be replicated again the most, Aaron Nesmiths heroic 4th quarter against the Knicks game 1 or Tyrese Halliburton’s inhuman ability to make 4 game winners in a playoff run?

On today's episode of Setting The Pace, Alex Golden and Mike Facci are joined by Ted Wu, Pacers Assistant GM, to discuss: his pathway into working for an NBA Front Office; what all goes into working in that role on a day-to-day basis; the first trade Ted ever made; studying and understanding how the CBA works; impacts each move makes for not just this season, but down the road; his firsthand experience in the Caris LeVert trade, thoughts on the current roster heading into training camp; what they want to see from Mathurin this season; RAPID FIRE questions and SO much more!

Alex Golden and Mike Facci answer your Mailbag Questions for the month of August! Today, the guys answer 6 questions for Part One of the mailbag. Below are the questions that were asked:

1). Jake Exline - What are your favorite non playoff 2025 Pacers memories?

Will trivia be coming back next season?

2). Blue & Gold Buzz

With Nesmith likely getting extended (hopefully) do you think that most likely turns Mathurin into a trade piece, especially if he has a great year starting this year.

3). Garrett (got us the NBA Jam shirt)

Do you think Benn, Shep and Obi finish out the season as Pacers or are they traded?

Hot take: Jay Huff becomes our starting center and we finish with a better record than the Bucks.

4). Chris Weech

How do you think the chemistry will be this upcoming season? Last year’s team played so well because it felt very much like everyone had the championship goal. This year is obviously different. Nembhard will try to prove he can be a lead guard. Mathurin wants to get paid. Thoughts on how guys individual agendas might affect the team chemistry different from last year. Appreciate it fellas

5). Rooster!

What are the chances Jay Huff ends up being a viable starting center in the NBA developing in our system?

Hot take: Pacers will be a top 5 seed and make it to at least the second round. Everyone has overlooked us for the last two years. Why should this year be any different.

6). Schwarz Bruder

Same question I sent Tony (East).

What are some weird, experimental line-ups you'd like to see us try out? One example would be Nembhard, Furphy, Walker, Siakam, and Huff as a unit. Going with maximum size, something you never really see the Pacers do.