The Indiana Pacers have gotten off to a poor start to the 2025-26 NBA season, to say the least.
They’re one of three winless teams currently in the association, and are certainly missing superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
The hole at center has been tough to look past as well, as Indiana is still searching for an answer since the departure of longtime big man Myles Turner.
He joined the conference rival Milwaukee Bucks this past summer on a four-year, $108.8 million deal.
The Pacers were never going to repeat as Eastern Conference champions without Haliburton at the helm, but could they make a trade to improve the roster this year and not waste a prime season of Pascal Siakam?
Pacers Receive ‘Realistic’ Trade Target
Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey gave the Indiana Pacers and every NBA team a “realistic” and “dream” midseason trade target.
For Indiana, San Antonio Spurs center Kelly Olynyk was named as the most realistic target for a center-desperate Pacers squad.
“The Indiana Pacers have some decent options to replace Myles Turner at the 5 in Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson. And even if they don’t quite live up to expectations, Tyrese Haliburton being out all year could keep the front office patient through 2025-26,” wrote Bailey.
“But if they’re in the hunt for another playoff experience, a veteran center who can pass and shoot, like Kelly Olynyk, would make a lot of sense.”
Olynyk would be a fine short-term replacement for Turner, at least for the 2025-26 season.
The 12-year NBA veteran is a career 39% three-point shooter, something the Pacers desperately miss from seasons past.
He certainly is a downgrade defensively, as he is not the shot blocker Turner was for Indiana.
But in this scenario, Olynyk is the perfect low-cost trade acquisition for the Pacers as they continue to try and tread water in the Eastern Conference until the return of Haliburton in 2026-27.
Pacers ‘Dream’ Trade Target
For the best possible center solution, Bailey has Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford listed as the Indiana Pacers’ dream trade target.
The Mavs, with all of their depth, could afford to part with Gafford, especially with Anthony Davis and Dereck Lively II on the roster.
“A more ambitious target of the idea above, Daniel Gafford might only become available if Dallas comes to the realization that AD is a 5,” continued Bailey.
“If that happens, it could be tough to distribute all the minutes Davis, Gafford and Dereck Lively deserve. And Indiana could help clear that logjam.”
While Olynyk was the short-term replacement for Turner, Gafford is someone who could help the Pacers for years to come.
At 27 years old, Gafford will still be in his prime once Haliburton makes his return to the floor, and as he’s proven to the Mavericks, he can be a key piece on a Finals team.
He’s not the stretch-five that Turner and Olynyk are, but his offensive prowess as a rim-runner makes him the perfect fit in Indiana’s high-flying offense.
Defensively, he provides an upgrade over what the Pacers currently have.
Both options would be great for Indiana, and if they want to stay afloat in the Eastern Conference without their superstar point guard, a trade may be necessary.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Pacers Given ‘Realistic’ and ‘Dream’ Trade Targets to Replace Myles Turner appeared first on Heavy Sports.