Johnny Furphy’s Rising Star: Why the Pacers Will Soon Realize His Long-Term Potential

The Indiana Pacers, entering the 2025-26 NBA season, face a pivotal moment in their roster development following a surprising NBA Finals run in 2024-25. With star guard Tyrese Haliburton sidelined for the season due to a torn Achilles and veteran center Myles Turner departing for the Milwaukee Bucks, the Pacers are leaning on their young core to maintain their Eastern Conference contention. Among these emerging talents, second-year wing Johnny Furphy stands out as a player poised for a breakout. At just 20 years old, the Australian native’s size, versatility, and untapped potential suggest he could surpass current bench contributor Ben Sheppard and become a long-term cornerstone, as argued by FanSided in September 2025. This article explores Furphy’s potential, his comparison to Sheppard, the Pacers’ roster dynamics, and why Indiana will soon realize Furphy’s value as a key piece in their championship aspirations.

Johnny Furphy’s Rookie Season and Potential

Selected 35th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2024 NBA Draft and traded to the Pacers, Johnny Furphy arrived in Indiana with high expectations following a standout freshman season at Kansas. At 6-foot-9, Furphy averaged 9.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.0 assists on 46.6% shooting (35.2% from three) in 24.1 minutes over 33 games, earning Big 12 All-Freshman honors, per Basketball-Reference. His combination of size, shooting, and athleticism drew comparisons to New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III, per Bleacher Report.

In his 2024-25 rookie season, Furphy’s role was limited due to Indiana’s deep rotation, including stars like Haliburton, Pascal Siakam, and Turner. He appeared in 40 games, averaging 4.8 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 0.6 assists in 12.3 minutes, shooting 43.1% from the field and 34.8% from three, per NBA.com. Despite modest stats, Furphy showed flashes of brilliance, notably a career-high 12 points, seven rebounds, and a block in a 25-minute outing against the Nets on December 4, 2024, per 8points9seconds.com. His Summer League performance in July 2025, where he displayed improved strength and aggression, further signaled his potential, with President of Basketball Operations Kevin Pritchard noting, “Furphy’s gained 20 pounds… He’s been the best player out on our practice floor” (Forbes).

Furphy’s versatility—capable of playing both forward spots, shooting from deep, and defending multiple positions—makes him an intriguing asset. FanSided argued, “Furphy has a lot more intrigue… and could be better suited to help the Pacers re-establish themselves as title contenders”. At 20, his ceiling is significantly higher than that of older teammates, positioning him as a potential long-term starter.

Ben Sheppard’s Role and Limitations

Ben Sheppard, a 2023 first-round pick (26th overall) out of Belmont, has established himself as a reliable bench piece for the Pacers. In 2024-25, the 24-year-old guard averaged 5.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 19.5 minutes over 63 games, shooting 41.8% from the field and 34.2% from three, per ESPN. His two-way contributions, including hustle plays and perimeter defense, made him a valuable role player during Indiana’s Finals run. Notable performances included a 7-point, 5-rebound effort in Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals against Oklahoma City, per ESPN.

However, Sheppard’s ceiling is limited compared to Furphy’s. FanSided noted, “Sheppard is what he is… He does not have a high ceiling”. His 6-foot-6 frame and 34.2% three-point shooting provide solid production, but he lacks the size, athleticism, and versatility to become a star. While Sheppard’s defense and hustle fit coach Rick Carlisle’s system, his offensive game relies heavily on catch-and-shoot opportunities, limiting his ability to create his own shot. In contrast, Furphy’s 6-foot-9 frame, ability to attack the basket, and defensive upside offer a higher ceiling, per Forbes.

The Furphy-Sheppard Comparison

The comparison between Furphy and Sheppard highlights a strategic decision looming for the Pacers. Sheppard, at 24, is a known quantity—a dependable 3-and-D guard who thrives in a supporting role. His 88.9% free-throw shooting and 0.6 steals per game in 2024-25 underscore his reliability, per ESPN. However, his development has plateaued, with little room to expand beyond his current skill set, as FanSided argued: “Sheppard has proven his value to the Pacers, but at this point, he is what he is”.

Furphy, at 20, offers untapped potential. His size allows him to guard wings and bigs, while his 35.2% three-point shooting at Kansas suggests room for growth as a shooter, per Bleacher Report. His Summer League aggression, noted by Forbes as “overwhelming defenders” with added bulk, indicates a readiness to take on a larger role. Pacers GM Chad Buchanan, on the Setting the Pace podcast, compared Furphy favorably to Sheppard, hinting at a preference for the younger wing’s upside, per FanSided. If forced to choose, Indiana may prioritize Furphy’s potential over Sheppard’s stability, especially as they rebuild around a post-Haliburton, post-Turner roster.

The Pacers’ Roster Dynamics and Center Crisis

The 2025-26 Pacers face significant challenges following Turner’s move to Milwaukee and Haliburton’s injury, sustained in Game 7 of the 2025 Finals, per StreamSports24.com. Turner’s departure, a four-year, $108.9 million deal with the Bucks, leaves a void at center, with Jay Huff, Isaiah Jackson, and James Wiseman as unproven options, per beIN SPORTS. This center crisis, described by Sporting News as a “major weakness with no clear way to strengthen it,” amplifies the need for young players like Furphy to step up.

Indiana’s projected starting lineup—Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, Bennedict Mathurin, Pascal Siakam, and Huff—relies heavily on perimeter scoring and versatility, per ESPN. Furphy, likely coming off the bench, could compete with Sheppard for minutes at the wing. His ability to play small forward or power forward, combined with his hustle plays (e.g., 7 rebounds against the Nets), makes him a fit for Carlisle’s up-tempo system, per 8points9seconds.com. With Haliburton out, the Pacers need secondary creators, and Furphy’s potential to attack the basket and facilitate, as shown in Summer League, could elevate him over Sheppard, per Forbes.

Why Furphy’s Breakout Is Imminent

Several factors suggest Furphy is poised for a breakout season:

1. Increased Opportunity: Turner’s exit and Haliburton’s absence open minutes for young players. Furphy’s 12.3 minutes per game in 2024-25 could rise to 20-25, especially if he outperforms Sheppard, per NBA.com.
2. Physical Development: Furphy’s added 20 pounds of muscle, noted by Pritchard, enhances his ability to finish through contact and defend bigger wings, per Forbes. His 6-foot-9 frame and 7-foot wingspan, per Wikipedia, give him an edge over Sheppard’s 6-foot-6 stature.
3. Versatility: Furphy’s ability to shoot (34.8% from three), rebound (2.6 per game), and defend multiple positions aligns with the NBA’s positionless trend, per Bleacher Report. His “3-and-D” potential, highlighted by Basketball.com.au, makes him a modern wing prototype.
4. Coaching Support: Rick Carlisle’s praise of Furphy’s “toughness” after his Nets performance signals confidence in his development, per 8points9seconds.com. Buchanan’s comments on Setting the Pace further indicate organizational belief in Furphy over Sheppard, per FanSided.

Furphy’s standout moments, like his 12-point, 7-rebound game against the Nets, show his ability to impact games, per 8points9seconds.com. If he improves his three-point consistency (targeting 37-38%) and defensive reads, a 10-point, 5-rebound season is achievable, per CBS Sports projections.

Challenges for Furphy

Despite his potential, Furphy faces hurdles. His limited rookie minutes (12.3 per game) reflect a crowded rotation, and earning a consistent role behind Nesmith and Mathurin will require outplaying Sheppard, per NBA.com. His 34.8% three-point shooting must improve to secure a rotation spot, as FanSided noted his “shooting wasn’t great” in limited action. Defensively, Furphy’s inexperience against elite wings like Jayson Tatum or Kevin Durant could expose him, per Heavy Sports. Additionally, the Pacers’ center struggles may force Furphy into small-ball lineups, testing his physicality.

The Decision: Furphy vs. Sheppard

The Pacers may soon face a choice between Furphy and Sheppard, as FanSided suggested: “Indiana may have to make a decision between him and Furphy, and there may only be one solution”. Sheppard’s $2.7 million contract through 2027 is cost-effective, but his limited upside makes him a potential trade piece, per Spotrac. Furphy, with a team-friendly $2.4 million deal, offers greater long-term value, especially if he develops into a starter by 2026-27, per HoopsHype. A trade involving Sheppard could net draft capital or a center to address Indiana’s frontcourt woes, per CBS Sports.

Fan and Media Reactions

Furphy’s potential has sparked excitement on X. @PacersPride tweeted, “Johnny Furphy’s about to take over! Kid’s got star potential .” @IndyHoopsFan posted, “Furphy > Sheppard by next season. Book it.” Media outlets share the optimism. Forbes called Furphy’s Summer League play “a glimpse of his bright future”, while 8points9seconds.com praised his Nets performance as “a sign of things to come”. FanSided emphasized, “The future is bright for Johnny Furphy,” predicting a realization of his value “sooner rather than later”.

The Pacers’ Broader Context

Indiana’s 2025-26 season, starting October 28, 2025, against Detroit, will test their young core, per NBA.com. A projected 40-42 record, per ESPN, reflects the loss of Haliburton and Turner, but Siakam (21.7 points), Nesmith (15.7 playoff points), and Nembhard (14.9 points) provide hope, per Basketball-Reference. Furphy’s emergence could stabilize the wing rotation, especially if he outshines Sheppard. Long-term, his development alongside Mathurin and a returning Haliburton could restore Indiana’s contention status by 2026-27, per HoopsHype.

Johnny Furphy’s potential to become a long-term contributor for the Indiana Pacers is on the verge of realization, as FanSided predicted in September 2025. At 20 years old, his 6-foot-9 frame, versatility, and Summer League aggression signal a higher ceiling than Ben Sheppard’s, whose reliable but limited role may not match Furphy’s upside. Despite challenges like inconsistent shooting and defensive inexperience, Furphy’s fit in Rick Carlisle’s system and organizational support from Kevin Pritchard and Chad Buchanan position him for a breakout 2025-26 season. As the Pacers navigate a turbulent year without Haliburton and Turner, Furphy’s emergence could provide a silver lining, cementing his place as a cornerstone in Indiana’s quest to re-establish themselves as title contenders.