The Indiana Pacers are preparing for a gap year. After losing Tyrese Haliburton to an Achilles tear and Myles Turner to free agency, the team is fully prepared to take a step back.
Once Haliburton returns for the 2026-27 season, the Pacers aim to pick up right where they left off, as the class of the Eastern Conference. They are still without a true high-level center, and Pascal Siakam will be a year older.
In an effort to give Haliburton the best possible lineup, the Pacers have been urged to trade for a rim-protecting center.
GettySALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – OCTOBER 02: Walker Kessler #24 of the Utah Jazz speaks during the Utah Jazz Media Day at Zions Bank Basketball Campus on October 02, 2023 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
Mock Trade Sends Walker Kessler to Indiana Pacers
Walker Kessler is one of the hottest names in NBA trade rumors, and has been for some time. Long linked to the Los Angeles Lakers, he is one of the best rim protectors in the league.
He is far from the floor-spacer that Turner was, but would be a massive upgrade on the defensive end, even if he isn’t as mobile. Last season, he posted an impressive 11.1 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 2.4 blocks per game for the Utah Jazz.
FanSided’s Christopher Kline devised a trade package that would send Johnny Furphy,
James Wiseman, and first-round picks in 2027 and 2028 to the Jazz for Kessler. Utah is expected to trade him sooner rather than later after the Jazz were unable to ink him to an extension.
Once Indiana is ready to compete, they would have a starting five of Haliburton, Kessler, Siakam, Andrew Nembhard, and Aaron Nesmith, barring any other moves, with Huff, Bennedict Mathurin, TJ McConnell, and Obi Toppin coming off the bench. Assuming everyone ages with grace between now and the start of the 2026-27 season, that’s a formidable rotation.
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – JUNE 16: Johnny Furphy #12 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the 2025 NBA Finals at Paycom Center on June 16, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Indiana Pacers Value Johnny Furphy
Drafted 35th overall in 2024, Furphy played in 50 games for the Pacers, averaging 2.1 points. Most of his minutes were in garbage time, although he has quickly earned the respect of his team.
Brimming with promise as both a sharpshooter and high-level athlete, the Pacers value him a lot more than most second-round picks, and including him could hold up a deal with the Jazz.
“He’s just a pure competitor,” gushed Rick Carlisle in April. “Everything about him is pure. He doesn’t have a selfish bone in his body. He does everything hard, he does everything with the right spirit.”
While adding Kessler would be ideal for Indiana, they might be able to make a run at him when he becomes a restricted free agent next summer, or pull off a sign-and-trade. For now, there’s no urgency. This season, Furphy will get a lot more playing time than he did last year, so his role can be further defined.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Proposed NBA Trade Sees Pacers Move on From ‘Pure’ Young Player appeared first on Heavy Sports.