Pacers' locker room 'wasn’t a very happy place'

“I was told yesterday Justin Holiday really wanted to come back to the Pacers, I’ve heard the opposite now. A little bit sour on some things that went down and is not very happy with some stuff... The locker room wasn’t a very happy place," J. Michael of the Indy Star said on the "Setting the Pace" podcast.

Later, he added on Twitter: "Last year, locker room [was] not as strong..."

In regards to Holiday's future with Indiana, J. Michael said: "Justin Holiday said he wanted to stay in Feb. [I] reported since Pacers want him back, but [were] worried he could be out of their price range. Via two sources: Knicks really want him (see Thibs). In a podcast, you’re talking, not reporting. I should've attributed that to what someone else said. It’s conjecture. Not fact. He wants to 'find a home' and not keep jumping teams. If Pacers make right offer (MLE+), good chance he stays. But again, the NYK want him."

It's interesting to hear about some of the behind-the-scenes issues that this Pacers team dealt with. Recently, Indiana fired head coach Nate McMillan (just a few weeks after signing him an extension). 

This season, the Pacers were 45-28, which was the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference. However, they were swept by the Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.