Cap deadline and financial constraints

The Pacers have a two-year window before extensions for Haliburton, Siakam, and others force tough decisions, potentially breaking up the core. The team is hard-capped and may need to trade Toppin or Walker to shed salary. A new article reinforces proactive urgency: extend fast or trade. This sets a clear deadline for the current era and tempers optimism about long-term contention. The Zach Lowe pressure article further highlights the urgency of the window.