, the series remains the Pacers’ only NBA Finals appearance. The Pacers would rebuild in the subsequent season. Retiring center Rik Smits was replaced by future NBA All-Star Jermaine O'Neal, acquired from Portland in the deal for Dale Davis. Mark Jackson and Chris Mullin both left as free-agents. Larry Bird resigned as head coach; he would later resurface as President of Basketball Operations in . The Pacers continued to make the playoffs every season until 2006, the year after Reggie Miller retired.