The Indiana Pacers are bracing themselves for a down year.
Superstar point guard Tyrese Haliburton is likely to miss the 2025-26 NBA season recovering from his torn Achilles.
But that doesn’t mean the Pacers can’t start building up their roster for future postseason runs.
They still have a multitude of youngsters and ascending stars on the roster, such as Pascal Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, Aaron Nesmith, and Bennedict Mathurin.
Those players, along with head coach Rick Carlisle leading the way, should be able to keep the Pacers afloat in a weakened Eastern Conference.
Losing longtime center Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks certainly stings, but Indiana may be able to find a replacement for their stretch big somewhere on the trade market.
Pacers Trade Proposal Lands Jazz Center Walker Kessler
In a trade idea proposed by Fadeaway World’s Vishwesha Kumar, the Indiana Pacers would acquire Utah Jazz center Walker Kessler.
Indiana Pacers receive: Walker Kessler (via sign-and-trade), Brice Sensabaugh, 2027 Utah Jazz second-round pick
Utah Jazz receive: Bennedict Mathurin (via sign-and-trade)
“Myles Turner’s exit left them thin at the center position, and although Tyrese Haliburton and Pascal Siakam can generate plenty of offense on their own, the Pacers are likely seeking a defensively dominant centerpiece that can change the game at the rim,” wrote Kumar.
“This is where Walker Kessler fits in. Just 24 years old, Kessler averaged 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks a game last season while shooting an absurd 66.3 percent from the field.”
Not only is the addition of Kessler a slam dunk for Indiana, but acquiring Brice Sensabaugh is sneaky-good as well.
The rookie established himself as an outside scoring threat last year, averaging 10.9 points per game and shooting 42.2% from three.
Parting ways with Mathurin may be a tough pill to swallow, as he had some great moments throughout the Pacers’ Finals run.
But the need for a new center to pair with Haliburton long-term is more pressing than his scoring punch off the bench.
Would Utah Make the Deal?
For some reason, Kessler has been in trade rumors since his rookie season with the Utah Jazz despite his tantalizing upside.
In this mock trade, the Jazz finally cash in on the young big man’s value, landing an instant offense scoring wing who averaged 16 points per game last year.
“With Lauri Markkanen established as an All-Star scorer and, Ace Bailey, who should be raring to go, Mathurin could be acquired as a pure wing who is a high usage player that speeds up Utah’s rebuild,” continued Kumar.
“There’s also a stylistic fit. Mathurin thrives as a slasher and downhill driver, drawing fouls and putting pressure on defenses. Playing alongside Markkanen, Bailey, and a pass-first guard, he could reach that elusive 20 points per game mark while also being challenged to grow as a passer and defender.”
At the end of the day, this trade makes too much sense for both sides.
The Indiana Pacers downgrade offensively and land a defensive anchor to protect the rim for the next decade-plus.
Meanwhile, the Jazz land a potent scorer who can develop alongside their young core as they look to take the next step in their rebuild.
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