Setting The Pace: A Pacers Podcast
Setting The Pace is a Pacers Podcast with Alex Golden and Mike Facci. Brought to you by the Blue Wire Podcast Network.
Latest NBA Rumors: Giannis for Jaylen Brown, Kessler or Zubac & Trey Murphy III Latest!
Alex Golden is joined by Brad and Ryan Knight of The Pacers Post Up for a jam-packed episode breaking down the latest NBA offseason rumors and what they could mean for the Indiana Pacers.
The guys discuss the latest buzz surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo, with reports linking him to the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics, and what that could mean for Jaylen Brown's future.
The conversation also includes:
What a realistic trade package for Trey Murphy III would look like Reports surrounding Walker Kessler and his desire to play in Indiana Whether the Pacers are...Mailbag Pt. 5: Is T.J. Still Him? Zubac Shooting 3s & Sheppard Debate
Alex Golden and Mike Facci wrap up the June Mailbag Series with Part 5, answering your questions about the current roster, player development and a handful of fun rapid-fire topics.
Questions discussed include:
Will Tyrese Haliburton be 100% healthy from Day 1, or should fans expect a ramp-up period? Is it realistic to think Ivica Zubac could begin adding a three-point shot to his game? Which player are you most comfortable counting on next season: Jay Huff, Micah Potter or Quenton Jackson? Is T. J. McConnell still that guy? Why are Pacers fans so divided on Ben Sheppard? Are...Fever’s Fourth Quarter Comeback Falls Short vs Dream
Alex Golden is joined by Corban Ford in Casey Johnson's absence to break down the Indiana Fever's 108-101 loss to the Atlanta Dream.
The game turned on a lopsided second quarter that left Indiana trailing by nine at halftime, but the Fever refused to quit.
Alex and Corban discuss:
The disastrous second quarter that put Indiana behind The incredible fourth-quarter rally while Caitlin Clark was on the bench with foul trouble Why the Fever couldn't sustain that momentum once Clark returned The impact of Clark's foul trouble throughout the game What Indiana did well...Mailbag Pt. 4: Pacers Mailbag: Draft Prospects, Trade Targets & Bigger Wings
Alex Golden and Mike Facci return with Part 4 of the June Mailbag Series, and this episode is all about the NBA Draft, future assets and roster building.
The guys answer your questions on whether Indiana should try to trade back into the first round, who the Pacers could be targeting, and whether that approach makes more sense than using all of their remaining assets in a blockbuster trade.
Questions discussed include:
Should the Pacers trade back into the first round? Is Sergio De Larrea worth moving up for? Which 2026 draft prospects make the most...Will Herb Simon Finally Pay the Tax? | Mailbag Pt. 3
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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with Part 3 of the June Mailbag Series, tackling the financial side of the Indiana Pacers' offseason.
This episode centers around one question that every Pacers fan is asking:
Will ownership finally be willing to pay the luxury tax to keep this championship window open?
The guys answer questions about:
What are the realistic chances Indiana enters the luxury tax? Is there any r...Sophie Cunningham Explodes for 24 in Fever Blowout Win!
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of The Fever Focus Podcast, breaking down the Indiana Fever's dominant 22-point victory in one of their most complete performances of the season.
The headline belongs to Sophie Cunningham, who caught fire off the bench, pouring in 24 points in just 24 minutes while providing a huge spark for Indiana's offense.
The guys also discuss:
Caitlin Clark stuffing the stat sheet with 21 points and 14 assists Kelsey Mitchell continuing her incredible stretch, scoring 27 points on an ultra-efficient 9-for-11 shooting Aliyah Boston dominating inside with 18 points and 11 rebounds ...Mailbag Pt. 2: Should the Pacers Go All-In?
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with Part 2 of the June Mailbag Series, and this episode centers around one major question:
Should the Indiana Pacers go all-in?
After coming so close to a championship, the guys debate whether now is the time to make a major move or if patience remains the smartest path forward.
Questions discussed include:
Is it time for Indiana to make a championship-level move? Which players could realistically help the Pacers get over the hump? Can the Pacers go all-in without sacrificing a second championship window around...Mailbag Pt. 1: Trey Murphy III Trade Talk
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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with the first installment of their June Mailbag Series!
In Part 1, the focus is almost entirely on one topic that has captivated Pacers fans this offseason:
Trey Murphy III trade talk.
The guys answer questions from listeners about whether Indiana should pursue Murphy, what a realistic trade package could look like, and how much is too much to give up for one more...
Indiana Fever Survive in OT, But Are There Bigger Problems?
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of The Fever Focus Podcast, breaking down the Indiana Fever's thrilling overtime victory over the Chicago Sky.
While the Fever picked up an important win, Alex and Casey don't completely agree on what it means moving forward.
Alex shares some concerns about the current roster construction and makes the case for a change to Indiana's starting lineup. Meanwhile, Casey pushes back, explaining why he believes the Fever are still figuring things out and that the team is trending in the right direction despite taking a...
Top 5 Free Agent Centers for the Pacers
Alex Golden and Mike Facci wrap up their five-part offseason Free Agency Series by taking a look at the center position.
With the Pacers set at starting center with Ivica Zubac, the guys focus on the best available free agent centers who could provide depth, insurance, competition and frontcourt versatility.
The discussion includes:
The Top 5 centers available in free agency Which players make the most sense for Indiana Potential backup center options Veterans versus younger developmental players Contract expectations and market value Realistic targets versus unlikely additionsAlex and Facci evaluate each player's...
Top 5 Free Agent Power Forwards for the Pacers
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with Part 4 of their Free Agency Series, and today they're breaking down the Top 5 Power Forwards available on the market.
As Indiana continues to evaluate ways to improve the roster, the guys discuss which free agent power forwards make the most sense for the Pacers and how each player could fit into the rotation.
The conversation includes:
The Top 5 available power forwards in free agency Strengths and weaknesses of each player Which players best fit Indiana's style of play Potential contract values and market expectations Realistic targets...Caitlin vs The Refs? + Fever Radio Analyst, Bria Goss, Joins the Show
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of The Fever Focus Podcast, and this one features plenty of passion, analysis and a special guest.
In Segment 1, the guys discuss the officiating surrounding Caitlin Clark and why they believe she continues to be officiated differently than many of the league's other stars. They dive into how the constant grabbing, holding and physicality she's forced to play through impacts her efficiency and overall offensive rhythm.
They also discuss the Peacock broadcast from Monday night's game and why the camera angle created a frustrating viewing...
Which Free Agent Wing Fits the Pacers Best?
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with the next installment of their offseason Free Agency Series, and today the focus shifts to the small forward position.
After breaking down the point guard and shooting guard markets, the guys take a deep dive into the available wings and discuss which free agents make the most sense for the Indiana Pacers this summer.
The conversation includes:
The top small forwards available in free agency Which wings best fit Indiana's style of play Three-and-D specialists, scorers and versatile role players Potential bench upgrades and rotation fits ...Ranking the Best Free Agent Shooting Guards for Indiana
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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with Part 2 of their five-part Free Agency Series, this time focusing on the shooting guard market.
With point guards already covered, the guys shift their attention to the available shooting guards and discuss which players make the most sense for the Indiana Pacers to pursue this offseason.
The conversation includes:
The top shooting guards available in free agency Which players fit Indiana's style of...Free Agent Point Guards: Who Should the Pacers Target?
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back to kick off a brand-new offseason series on Setting The Pace: The Free Agents.
Over the next five episodes, the guys will break down each position group and discuss which free agents make the most sense for the Indiana Pacers to pursue this summer.
In Episode 1, the focus is on point guards.
Alex and Facci discuss:
The top point guards available in free agency Which players fit Indiana's style of play Potential backup point guard options Veteran leaders versus younger upside plays Contract value and...The Fever Win! Defense, Kelsey, Boston’s Ceiling & Starting Lineup Change?
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of The Fever Focus Podcast, breaking down Indiana's impressive defensive performance that helped secure a much-needed victory and the team's first win of the WNBA Commissioner's Cup.
The guys discuss:
Kelsey Mitchell reaching the 5,000-point milestone and continuing to thrive alongside Caitlin Clark How Mitchell has seamlessly adapted her game while remaining one of the league's most dangerous scorers Aliyah Boston turning her three-point shot into a legitimate weapon Whether Boston's long-term ceiling could approach that of A'ja WilsonThe conversation also dives into:
...Giannis Trade Power Rankings: The 5 Teams We Fear Most for the Pacers
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with a fun offseason episode centered around one of the biggest potential storylines in the NBA:
Could Giannis Antetokounmpo actually be on the move this summer?
With speculation surrounding the future of the superstar continuing to grow, Alex and Facci power rank the five teams they least want to see Giannis traded to and discuss how each destination could reshape the Eastern Conference hierarchy.
The guys dive into:
Which teams would become instant title favorites Which landing spots would be the biggest nightmare for Indiana ...2025 Pacers vs 2027 Pacers: Which Team Wins? Getting Back to the NBA Finals
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with a fascinating discussion centered around one simple question:
Are the Indiana Pacers better today than the team that reached the NBA Finals in 2025?
The guys take a deep dive into how the roster has changed, what additions and departures have meant for the team's outlook, and whether Indiana is actually better positioned to make another Finals run than they were a year ago.
Topics discussed include:
Health of Haliburton. Can he return to the greatness he displayed last season? How much Ivica Zubac changes...Robin Lundberg Talks Clark-White Relationship + Fever Team Meeting
Amazon.com: Caitlin Clark: From the Logo: 9798337405261: Lundberg, Robin, Ruocco, Ryan: Books
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of The Fever Focus Podcast, and this week they're joined by a very special guest: Robin Lundberg.
Robin is one of the most knowledgeable voices covering the Indiana Fever, and he joins the show for an in-depth conversation on several of the biggest storylines surrounding the team.
The guys discuss:
The competitive dynamic between Caitlin Clark and Stephanie White The recent team meeting between players and coaches What the Fever...Ranking the Pacers Roster for the Future
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Alex Golden and Mike Facci wrap up their four-part offseason series by bringing everything together and Ranking the Pacers Roster for the Future.
After spending the last three episodes evaluating the centers, guards and forwards individually, the guys now put the entire roster into one ranking to determine which players are the most important pieces of Indiana's future.
The discussion factors in:
Age and development curve Contract value Current production Long-term...Trey Murphy Trade Coming? Building a Roster to Stop Wemby
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with a fascinating discussion on team building, championship windows and the future of the NBA.
The guys open the show by discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder falling in Game 7 of the NBA Finals and what it means for the rest of the league moving forward. (3:30)Â
Has the NBA officially entered the era of trying to build rosters capable of stopping Victor Wembanyama?
Alex and Facci debate:
What the ideal roster looks like in a Wemby-dominated league Whether Indiana already has the framework in place What t...Ranking the Pacers Forwards for the Future
Alex Golden and Mike Facci continue their four-part offseason series by Ranking the Pacers Forwards for the Future.
Before diving into the rankings, the guys discuss the latest group of prospects participating in Indiana's pre-draft workouts. The guys share their thoughts on all 12 players and Alex highlights two prospects he's especially intrigued by:
Emanuel Sharp Ernest Udeh Jr.Then, in Segment 2, Alex and Facci complete the series by ranking the Pacers forwards based on how likely they are to still be on the roster after the team's current two-year championship window.
The players...
Ranking the Pacers Guards for the Future
Alex Golden and Mike Facci continue their offseason series looking beyond the Indiana Pacers' current two-year championship window.
After breaking down the center position, the guys shift their focus to the guards, ranking each player based on how likely they are to still be on the roster once this current contention window closes.
The players discussed include:
Tyrese Haliburton Quenton Jackson Kam Jones T. J. McConnell Andrew Nembhard Ben SheppardAlex and Facci discuss each player's:
Long-term fit with the franchise Age and projected development Contract situation Role on a future Pacers r...Ranking the Pacers Centers for the Future
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Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with another episode of Setting The Pace.
The guys open the show by discussing Facci’s exciting upcoming opportunity involving Jermaine O'Neal, before diving into how great it was to see Tyrese Haliburton back on the court in a recent workout video alongside Pascal Siakam.
They also spend some time debating where a fully healthy Indiana Pacers team would have stacked up against this past se...
Caitlin Clark Speaks Out + Why the Fever Signed Grace VanSlooten
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another loaded episode of The Fever Focus Podcast.
The guys begin the show by discussing how Caitlin Clark responded to the media frenzy surrounding her recent injury situation and what the Indiana Fever can do to better manage communication moving forward.
Then they dive into Indiana’s impressive victory over the Golden State Valkyries, discussing:
What stood out in the win Which players elevated their play Why the Fever looked much more connected as a teamNext, Alex and Casey break down the signing of Gr...
Ranking the Pacers’ Best Trade Assets
Alex Golden goes solo on today’s episode of Setting The Pace for a full breakdown and ranking of the Indiana Pacers’ trade assets from the organization’s perspective.
Alex evaluates:
Every player currently under contract The Pacers’ current and future draft picks Which assets Indiana would likely value the most internallyTo help organize the discussion, Alex places players and picks into multiple tiers based on:
Trade value around the league Contract situation Age and upside Importance to Indiana’s futureThe episode is designed to explore the difference between:
How fans might...Pacers Offseason Deep Dive w/ Keith Smith of Spotrac
Mike Facci is joined by Keith Smith of Spotrac for a full breakdown of the Indiana Pacers’ upcoming offseason.
The guys discuss:
What trade assets Indiana still has available How the Pacers can realistically improve the roster The complexities of the salary cap, aprons and roster-building rules What flexibility the front office actually has moving forwardKeith also shares his thoughts on:
Expectations for Indiana next season How the Eastern Conference landscape is shaping up Whether the Pacers are positioned to make another significant moveA loaded offseason conversation packed with roster-building insight, ca...
Caitlin Clark Injury PR Disaster? + Fever Dominate the Fire
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of Fever Focus, and before diving into Indiana’s dominant win over the Portland Fire, the guys discuss the growing controversy surrounding Caitlin Clark’s injury.
Alex and Casey explain why they believe the Fever organization poorly handled the communication around Clark’s status and how it quickly turned into a public relations nightmare.
Then, the conversation shifts to the game itself as Indiana rolled past Portland.
The guys discuss:
Which players stood out the most What the Fever did so well to con...15 Win-Now Trade Targets for the Pacers
Alex Golden is joined by Young Simba for a fun offseason exercise centered around one question:
Who are the best win-now players the Indiana Pacers could realistically trade for?
The guys go through roughly 15 different names, discussing:
Which players are realistic targets Which ones are probably pipe dreams What Indiana would have to give up in a potential deal And how each player would fit with the Pacers’ current coreFrom star-level swings to under-the-radar additions, Alex and Simba evaluate a wide range of possibilities as Indiana looks to improve its roster and co...
Is This the Start of Caitlin Clark’s MVP Campaign? Sophie Shines + Portland Preview
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of Fever Focus, and today the guys discuss whether this feels like the true beginning of Caitlin Clark’s MVP campaign.
Following Indiana’s impressive performance against the Seattle Storm, Alex and Casey dive into:
How dominant Clark looked offensively and as a floor general Why this felt like one of her most complete performances yet The best game they’ve seen from Sophie Cunningham in quite some timeThe guys also discuss:
How Indiana dominated the paint despite being without Aliyah Boston The online...Pacers Contender Talk: Haliburton Expectations & Roster Questions
Derek Schultz joins Alex Golden to discuss the current state of the Indiana Pacers as the franchise heads into a pivotal offseason looking to build a true contender around Tyrese Haliburton and the current core.
The guys dive into:
The addition of Ivica Zubac and how he changes Indiana’s ceiling Whether the Pacers could make a major move and break up part of the core Expectations for Haliburton moving forward after multiple injury-plagued seasons If Jarace Walker can become the scoring punch Indiana needs off the benchPlus, plenty of offseason discussion surrounding roster co...
Would You Trade a Core 7 Player for Trey Murphy? + Pacers Could Have Kept 5th Pick in Zubac Trade
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back with a fun offseason episode full of hypotheticals, trade talk and Pacers debate.
The guys open the show discussing Trey Murphy III sitting courtside with Tyrese Haliburton at the Indiana Fever game…
Coincidence? Maybe. But that doesn’t stop the conversation.
Alex and Facci then react to comments from Jake Query regarding how the Ivica Zubac trade came together and debate whether Indiana would have been better off moving one of its “Core Seven” players instead of parting with the fifth overall pick.
That leads to...
Caitlin Clark Drops 32, Fever Fall in OT & Aliyah Boston Injured
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson go live after the Indiana Fever’s heartbreaking 104-102 overtime loss to the Washington Mystics.
The biggest storyline of the night was the injury to Aliyah Boston, who exited the game after suffering a leg injury.
Despite the loss, Caitlin Clark delivered another spectacular performance:
32 points 8 assists And the clutch game-tying three-pointer in regulationThe guys also discuss:
Kelsey Mitchell scoring 24 points while shooting 50% from three The missed game-tying attempt in overtime Big-time contributions from Myisha Hines-Allen and Monique Billings during Indiana’s comeback push Why Raven John...Would You Rather Have Zubac? Comparing Him to Every NBA Center
Alex Golden is joined by Brett Evans on today’s episode of Setting The Pace for a full deep dive into the future of the Pacers with Ivica Zubac as the team’s starting center.
The guys discuss:
How Indiana’s roster could look next season with Zubac anchoring the middle What changes offensively and defensively with him in the lineup Why his fit alongside Tyrese Haliburton is so intriguingThen comes the fun exercise:
Alex and Brett go through all 30 NBA starting centers and determine whether they would rather have Zubac or the ot...
Caitlin Clark & Kelsey Mitchell Lead Fever Past Sparks
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson recap the Indiana Fever’s impressive 87-78 victory over the Los Angeles Sparks on the latest episode of Fever Focus.
The guys break down the dominant performances from Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell, discussing how the duo controlled the game offensively and led Indiana to one of its best performances of the season.
Alex and Casey also dive into:
What Indiana did so well against Los Angeles Improved ball movement and defensive effort Why getting Monique Billings back into the starting lineup helped stabilize the front court How the Fe...Pacers Becoming a Free Agent Destination? + Top 5 MLE Targets
Alex Golden goes solo on today’s episode of Setting The Pace to break down what Chad Buchanan recently told JMV about the Indiana Pacers becoming a legitimate free agent destination.
Alex discusses:
What Chad heard from agents and players at the NBA Draft Combine How Indiana plans to navigate the luxury tax and apron restrictions Why the perception of the Pacers around the league may be changingThen, Alex dives into his Top 5 taxpayer mid-level exception free agent targets for Indiana. (Read it here in written form)
Some names are viewed as:
...Bree Hall Signs with Fever + Sparks Game Preview & Predictions
Alex Golden and Casey Johnson are back with another episode of Fever Focus!
The guys open the show by discussing the Indiana Fever’s recent signing of Bree Hall and what she could potentially bring to the roster moving forward.
Then, the conversation shifts to Sophie Cunningham being featured in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, and the impact her growing popularity is having on the Fever and the league overall.
To close out the show, Alex and Casey dive into an extensive preview of the Fever’s upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Spar...
3 Smaller Win-Now Trades for the Pacers
Alex Golden is joined by Brad and Ryan Knight of The Pacers Post Up to discuss three smaller, realistic trade ideas that could help the Indiana Pacers improve their roster and continue pushing to win now.
Instead of blockbuster moves, the guys focus on:
Smart roster upgrades Better depth fits Players who could help Indiana immediately without sacrificing the futureThe conversation includes:
Why each trade makes sense for the Pacers What Indiana would likely have to give up How these moves would impact the current rotation and championship outlookA fun and...
Reacting to Kevin Pritchard's Comments After Losing 2026 Draft Pick
Alex Golden and Mike Facci are back on Setting The Pace to continue processing the fallout from the NBA Draft Lottery.
The guys open the show by checking in with one another and discussing how they’re feeling roughly 30 hours after Indiana officially lost its 2026 first-round pick.
Then, they react to the comments made by Kevin Pritchard — both during his press conference and on social media — as he explained why Indiana made the trade for Ivica Zubac and why the organization felt the risk was worth taking.
Alex and Facci discuss:
How they c...Pacers Lose Top 4 Protection… Was the Zubac Trade Worth It? (LIVE REACTION)
The Indiana Pacers did not get the lottery luck they were hoping for.
With the NBA Draft Lottery now official, Indiana has officially lost its 2026 first-round pick to the Clippers, as the selection fell outside the Top 4 protections included in the Ivica Zubac trade.
Alex Golden and Mike Facci went live immediately following the lottery to react to the results and discuss:
The emotions of losing such a valuable pick How the lottery unfolded for Indiana Whether the risk of the Zubac trade was still worth it in hindsight What this means for the...