Rick Carlisle Coaching Legacy: What Should the Pacers Do for Him?
Rick Carlisle has one of the greatest NBA championships ever with the Dallas Mavericks, and is coming off another unexpected, magical run to the NBA Finals with the Indiana Pacers. Carlisle, who coached the Pacers from 2003-2007, has over 900 wins, putting him in the top 15 of all time. The former Coach of the Year has been known to bring the best out of his team and make key adjustments to the pace-and-space system the Pacers use today. With all the changes and moves that have happened in Indiana, what does the 65-year-old coach’s future look like?
Carlisle’s Return to Indy
Rick Carlisle was hired in 2021 for his second stint as the Indiana Pacers’ head coach, leading a rebuilding era for the franchise. The Pacers made a key midseason trade in 2022, trading forward Domantas Sabonis to the Sacramento Kings for guard Tyrese Haliburton, a trade that would change the trajectory of the franchise. After two rebuilding seasons in 2023 and 2024, Haliburton and the Pacers would break out in 2024, making both the In-Season Tournament Final and the Eastern Conference Finals. They would then follow it up with a magical run through the East, making it all the way to Game Seven of the 2025 NBA Finals, where they would fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder.
What's Next for Carlisle?
With Myles Turner departing and Haliburton set to miss the entirety of the 2026 season, Carlisle has a decision to make about his future with the Pacers. As his contract expires in 2027, the esteemed head coach will have to wait at least one year before having a title chance again. Closing in on 1000 wins, it seems Carlisle has two options: either stay with the Pacers to reach his milestone, then transition to a front office role, or seek out better opportunities to contend for an NBA Championship. Does Indiana need to do him the service of allowing him to go elsewhere, or make big moves to build a championship-contending roster once Haliburton returns?
Has Carlisle’s Time in Indy Grown His Legacy?
The future Hall of Famer is entering his 24th season as a head coach, bracing for an uncertain future in Indiana. While claiming the 2011 NBA Championship has cemented his legacy as an all-time great coach, he has proven he is still an elite coach in the NBA. Carlisle’s legacy of bringing the best out of his teams and utilizing a strong bench seems to be the approach he will take once again this year, hoping to rally around experienced veterans and depth. Whether this season is filled with difficulty or another terrific surprise in his illustrious career, Carlisle’s time in Indiana has enhanced his prestigious résumé.
