The Indiana Pacers dealt with significant adversity this summer, and it has carried over into the regular season. While the Pacers’ 2025-26 season isn’t officially over, it is on life support due to a series of injuries they are still dealing with. Still, they may look to add players before the trade deadline.
Pacers Have Plenty Of Options as They Seek Long-Term Answer for Biggest Need
Indiana entered the season with no illusions about competing for an NBA title, despite taking OKC to seven games in the Finals last June. Tyrese Haliburton saw his season come to an end in Game 7 of the Finals with a torn ACL, and Myles Turner, surprisingly, bolted for Milwaukee.
Additionally, the Pacers didn’t make any splashy moves in the offseason; instead, they chose to maintain continuity. Then, during the preseason, the Pacers’ backcourt saw its depth further weakened, with T.J. McConnell, Quenton Jackson, and rookie Kam Jones sidelined in the early going. Obi Toppin, Bennedict Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, and Andrew Nembhard have been sidelined and missed at least eight games.
As a result of being shorthanded, Indiana began the season with losses in each of their first five games and 16 of 18. However, the Pacers are 4-2 in their last six games, including two straight wins. Pascal Siakam leads the way, and Mathurin is playing some of the best basketball of his career. Nembhard is also on pace for a career year.
With the offense running through Nembhard, McConnell, and Siakam, the Pacers have done a good job protecting the ball, but they have several issues. The Pacers are among the worst offensive teams in the league and rank in the bottom half of the league defensively. They rank last in shooting with an effective field goal percentage of 50.1% and rebounding is an issue. Defensively, they defend the perimeter well.
Biggest Issue
Depth and consistency have been Indiana’s biggest bugaboo this year. The Pacers have already lost over 100-man games to injury this year. Consequently, 22 players have seen minutes this year, and Rick Carlisle has used 16 starting lineups, with 14 different players listed in the starting five. Carlisle’s most common starting unit has started three games together (two separate units).
However, the troubling issue is at the center. Collectively, the Pacers’ centers rank in the bottom third of the league. While the Pacers’ five men have shown they can score and block shots, they have struggled with efficiency, on the glass, and on defense. Opposing centers are averaging 27.4 points per game, which is the fourth most in the league.
Isaiah Jackson was expected to take a step forward with Turner with the Bucks. Jackson, who was limited to five games last season, has played better since getting off to a poor start and has been more efficient since moving to the bench. While the 23-year-old is under contract for two more seasons, he has not shown himself to be a full-time starter.
Jay Huff, who is under contract through 2027-28, has played well in spurts, providing a consistent scoring and shot-blocking threat. Huff has been much better as a starter — averaging 10 points, five boards, and three blocks. Overall, he has recorded multi-block games in 11 straight games while scoring in double-figures on eight occasions during this stretch.
Tony Bradley has been in and out of the lineup for the Pacers. Bradley, who is slated to be an unrestricted free agent this summer, has scored in double-figures in two of his three starts this season, but otherwise has been a body.
Pacers Seeking Center Of Future
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported yesterday that the Pacers are “looking for a center of their future.” Daniel Gafford was a name that Charania mentioned as someone who Dallas may be willing to move. Jake Fischer of The Stein Line expanded on Charania’s report that the Pacers are believed to have interest in Gafford, who could make sense as a pick-and-roll partner for Haliburton next season.
Gafford definitely makes sense for the Pacers. Long and athletic, Gafford runs the floor well and excels as a rim-runner, finisher around the rim, and offensive rebounder. However, he is best known as a solid defender and shot-blocker.
Gafford signed a three-year, $54 million extension that begins next year. Just 27, Gafford has struggled this year, averaging 8.9 points on 61% shooting, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks in 23 minutes. He has scored in double figures in six of his 15 games while also producing one double-double.
Gafford is not a potential option for the Pacers, and it’s unclear whether he is a realistic option, depending on cost. Moreover, the Pacers shouldn’t rush into anything. Now, if they really like Gafford and the Mavericks are willing to do a trade for Bradley, cash, and a 2027 second-round pick, then it is a no-brainer. Also, the Pacers should jump on a deal if the Mavs take Jackson and a 2027 second-round selection.
Who Else Could The Pacers Pursue
Walker Kessler, who is injured and projected to a restricted free agent this summer, figures to be one of the Pacers top targets this offseason though he should garner a lot of attention. Mitchell Robinson, Mark Williams, and Isaiah Hartenstein are among the potential targets for the Pacers. Robinson and Williams will be unrestricted free agents this summer, while Hartenstein has a $28 million team option, which OKC may not be able to afford.
According to ClutchPoints Brett Siegel, earlier today, Indiana reportedly called the Los Angeles Clippers about the availability of Ivica Zubac. While this isn’t surprising, there is no word that the Clippers have any interest in trading the big man. Plus, as Siegel said the Pacers are only one of several teams expected to be interested in Zubac.
Domantas Sabonis, DeAndre Ayton, Naz Reid, and Nic Claxton are other potential good fits. Ayton has an $8.8 million player option he is unlikely to exercise. The Pacers would have to trade for Sabonis and Claxton. Other trade options could be Jarrett Allen and Isaiah Stewart.
Indiana has 13 players under contract for next season with allocations totaling $185.3 million. That puts the Pacers $25 million below the first apron. However, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl has a club option ($2.8 million), and Jones has a nonguaranteed deal ($2.1 million). Meanwhile, Mathurin looks to be headed toward restricted free agency with a $12.2 million qualifying offer.
The Pacers’ final option is to draft a center in the 2026 draft. Indiana received its own 2026 first-round pick back from New Orleans in a trade for the No. 23 selection in last summer’s draft. As it stands now, the Pacers’ selection projects to be a lottery pick. Kentucky’s Jayden Quaintance, who is out with a torn ACL that occurred last February, and Houston’s Chris Cernac figure to be the top options.
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