The media blitz for the upcoming season is underway. To break the ice, Pacers General Manage Chad Buchanan sat down with reporters to answer the questions at the forefront of every fan's mind.

Below is a rundown of what he had to say:

On Buddy Hield's status:

The team loves Buddy and is intending to keep him on the roster. This is a case of the "business of basketball" rearing its ugly head. Of course Buddy wants long term security but the team also has to think long term when offering a contract. The negotiations are on hold at present but they are not done.

At the end of the day Buddy loves being a Pacer – playing for Rick, with Tyrese – and will be a professional. They'll listen to offers but, again, the plan is to keep him and see how things play out on the court.

On the team's goal for the season:

Though Pritchard has stated on multiple occasions that he'd like the team to increase its win total by about 10 games, Buchanan declined to set a number. He espoused a long term view, preferring to judge the season on the growth of the team.

He said the team won't take shortcuts. The ultimate goal is to be a competitor down the road. They won't make a move just to make the playoffs or try to skip steps.

On the battle for minutes:

The question about minutes distribution popped up in a few different ways over the course of the interview but Buchanan's message was singular: playing time will be earned.

The full team is in Indy prior to training camp and Buchanan said that the runs are highly competitive. Everyone knows that the roster is deep and that spots in the opening night rotation will be earned between now and the start of the season.

He said that Benn Mathurin is going into camp as a presumed starter but the role is far from secured. Other than Tyrese and Myles, everyone else has to play for a spot in the starting lineup.

Regarding the logjam at backup center, he acknowledged that Theis, Jackson, and Smith all have had good summers. The battle between them will be tough but that competition is what will fuel the growth of the players as individuals and the team as a collective. The same goes for the guard rotation with Buddy, Benn, Bruce, TJ, and Andrew.

It's possible that players who lose position battles could be traded but that won't happen until things play out on the court. The front office sees it as a fluid situation and isn't in a rush to make a move.

He doesn't think the young players will be thrown out on the court to sink or swim like they were at times last year. The coaches and players want to win as many games as possible this season. The front office, naturally, wants a bit more of a longterm view, but they won't interfere with rotations.

Buchanan conceded that it's impossible to have 15 happy players on the roster. However, he doesn't see it as the coaching staff or the Front Office's responsibility to appease players. He believes that the players must instill a team first attitude among themselves. Over the course of 82 games, everyone will get an opportunity. If you are not ready, you let the team down.

Regarding TJ McConnell specifically, he said that TJ wants and deserves to play. At the same time, TJ has had to battle for everything in his life and always comes out on the right side of things. He doesn't know how the rotations will shake out but he knows TJ wants to be here and will raise the level of the team.

On Tyrese being more of a scorer:

He believes Tyrese doesn't need much growth on offense. He isn't wired to be the best scorer in the league. 20 and 10 is a good goal for him. However, the other side of the ball is where Tyrese can take his game to the next level. Improving on defense will vault him into the next tier.

On the NBA's Player Participation Policy:

Buchanan thinks it's a good policy but admits that it doesn't really affect the Pacers this year. First, it only applies to Tyrese. Second, the team only has one nationally televised game.

On the team's play style: 

Offensively, they will play fast like last year. That's Tyrese’s identity and he is the orchestrator. The summer acquisitions thrive in a fast paced style.

However they hope to be different on D, which was the team's limiting factor last year. He believes that Brown and Jarace will help but Buchanan stressed the need for internal development on that end.  

The internal development has to start with the team leaders, specifically Tyrese. He's optimistic because players evolve over time. Offensive players can become defensive players as they mature.

They have a good backstop in Myles but any improvement will start with containing perimeter. That has been a point of emphasis over the summer and will be throughout year. Buchanan thinks the addition of Jim Boylen to the coaching staff will help in that regard. 

On how the rookies will contribute defensively:

Jarace Walker considers himself a defender first and foremost. Jarace always pointed to his defensive impact when selling himself in pre-draft interviews. He likes the challenge of defending big scorers. The Pacers expect Jarace to have bad games and generally look like a rookie but over time the team believes he will help create a defensive identity.

Ben Sheppard isn't the natural defender Jarace is but he will make extra effort plays that disrupt a possession.

On extensions for Obi and Aaron: 

Buchanan was noncommittal on extensions. The front office wants to see if either player brings something unique and irreplaceable to the team. If so, the team is open to extending Toppin and Nesmith... but not in any rush.

On the value of Bruce Brown: 

Brown brings a championship ring, experience, to the team. He's become more and more vocal as he's settled in, which is good because the team lost a prominent voice in James Johnson.

Brown also brings on ball defense – a point of emphasis – and versatility on both ends. Ultimately, he epitomizes a Pacer: tough, unselfish, and competitive. 

More on losing veteran voices like Johnson: 

Buchanan believes the younger players have to fill in the void created by JJ's departure. Taking ownership of team is part of their growth as players. Even so, the team is not bereft of veteran leaders. Myles is a loud voice. Buddy, TJ, Bruce Brown are as well. Still, it's on the young players, Tyrese specifically, to step up. 

On Jenny Boucek moving to the front of the bench: 

Jenny has earned her opportunity. She's a major influence on the team. Players respect her knowledge and look to her for guidance. She has a special gift for delivering coaching in a way that builds confidence. How she helped TJ improve his shooting last year did no go unnoticed in the locker room.

In fact, Andrew Nembhard has worked with her all summer on his shot, both in Indy and off-site. Buchanan has noticed the results. He thinks that Jenny excels at building a player's confidence by delivering a consistent message and making them feel like they are doing the right things to get better. At the end of the day shooting is all about confidence.

On how playing with Team USA has affected Tyrese: 

Buchanan believes that being in that environment – around those coaches and players – gives Tyrese more experience that he can draw on. Moreover, it forced him out of his position as the face of the franchise and into a bench playmaking role. He thought Tyrese adapted very well and seemed comfortable just being a playmaker for others.

Ultimately, FIBA is is a different style of play. It's more physical and has different rules. He thinks Tyrese is more confident, vocal, and physical since returning. The benefits he took away from the experience will help both the team and Tyrese individually.  

On injuries going into camp:

No major injuries to report. A few bumps and bruises but they have 18 guys in town and all are fully participating.

Pacers Sign Craig Sword, Pedro Bradshaw to Exhibit 10 Deals

Bradshaw will return to the Mad Ants where he played last season. Sword comes to Indy in a trade from the Capital City Go-Go. In return the Mad Ants are sending a 2024 first round pick in the G-League draft to Washington.

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