5. Indiana Pacers
Coming in at No. 5 is a team that may surprise many by making it on this list: the Indiana Pacers.
The Pacers enter the 2019-20 season in an interesting position in the East. Last season, Indiana made waves as they raced off to a hot start thanks, in part, to an impressive run by guard Victor Oladipo.
Even after he suffered a season-ending injury in January, the Pacers were able to keep themselves firmly in the top five of the Eastern Conference Standings throughout the season.
Though Indiana would fail to win a game against the Boston Celtics in the first round, they gave the Celtics issues in almost every game of that series thanks to a stout defensive effort. They showed, both in that series, and in their ability to stay close to the top four after Oladipo’s injury, that they had quality to be a challenger with a few tweaks and a full strength roster.
Indiana look poised to be even greater challengers in the East this coming season.
Although they lost a key cog from last season’s team in free agency in Bojan Bogdanovic, the Pacers managed to add a lot of talent elsewhere on their roster. They landed a solid starting forward option in T.J. Warren for basically nothing in a trade.
They significantly bolstered their guard spots by getting Jeremy Lamb and Malcolm Brogdon too. Both should be able handle to the load in the backcourt until Oladipo is healthy.
The Pacers were also able to retain their two impressive front court players in Domantas Sabonis and Myles Turner. One of those two could become a headliner in a trade that can land them a star.
Indiana was already a team that gave the Bucks problems because of their style of play, and their talent. The additions they’ve made to their roster, when coupled with the potential for them to make a bigger move in-season, make them a really solid sleeper pick to be a challenge for the Bucks in the East this season.
Even if they don’t jump out ahead of Milwaukee, Boston, or Philly in the standings, don’t be surprised if Indiana give the Bucks a real run in the first or second round of the playoffs. Their frontcourt is stout, and their skilled guards could be key to pushing Milwaukee in every game they face each other.
They’re a tough match-up for the Bucks.