The Indiana Pacers didn’t have a backup plan when Myles Turner decided to bolt for the Milwaukee Bucks. They didn’t have anyone ready to take his place at the center spot. Now, they are still trying to figure out who should be manning the middle.
Right now, the Pacers are waffling between Jay Huff and Isaiah Jackson as the starters at that spot. Huff leads the NBA in blocks, so he has been the better option. Still, the Pacers are looking for a more consistent option for when the team is fully healthy next season.
An interesting trade proposal from Bleacher Report has the Pacers trading for their center of the future by giving up a lot of draft picks.
GettyIvica Zubac tries to block a shot. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Pacers Add Big-Time Center in Trade Proposal
Here is the full trade proposal:
LA Clippers get: Jarace Walker, Isaiah Jackson, 2026 first-round pick (their own, via OKC), 2027 first-round pick (their own, via OKC)
Indiana Pacers get: Ivica Zubac
Oklahoma City Thunder get: LAC 2030 first-round pick, LAC 2031 first-round pick (swap), LAC 2032 first-round pick, IND 2027 first-round pick, IND 2030 second-round pick, IND 2032 second-round pick
Adding Zubac to the roster would make the Pacers a much better basketball team. Right now, the Pacers have the third-worst offense in the NBA. Part of that is because they get very little production from the center position, save for a couple of games where Huff is able to make 3’s.
Zubac doesn’t only add offense, but he would instantly become the best rebounder on the roster. Zubac is having the second-best rebounding season of his career. Historically, the Pacers struggle with that. Last season, they were the third-worst rebounding team in the NBA.
Trading just one first-round pick and two bench players in order to obtain Zubac would be an ideal scenario for Indiana. Jackson continues to foul at an alarming rate. Walker’s offense is inconsistent, even after four years with the organization.
GettyJay Huff gives a high-five. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Pacers Are Searching for the Center of the Future
Indiana has been looking around the league for the center of the future. It has been reported that they are interested in Walker Kessler. It’s clear that the Pacers are looking for someone who can help grow with the rest of the team that they have.
This season is already lost with how poorly they started, thanks to all of the injuries they had. They are in a position to get a top-five pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. Adding a center is with more of an eye towards the future than it is for this year.
Even if it isn’t for this season, the Pacers have to address the center spot. It is consistently the biggest trouble spot for them on the floor. Kevin Pritchard has to thread the needle to make sure they don’t give up too much in return for that center, whoever it may be.
It’s likely that Indiana will make a move closer to the trade deadline.
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