From Finals Contenders to the Cellar: The Pacers’ Quest for an Interior Anchor
Just six months ago, the Indiana Pacers were seven minutes away from an NBA championship. Today, they sit at the bottom of the league standings, reeling from a franchise-record 13-game losing streak that was finally snapped on Wednesday night.
The fall from grace began in Game 7 of the 2025 NBA Finals when superstar Tyrese Haliburton suffered a devastating torn Achilles. That injury, coupled with the offseason departure of defensive pillar Myles Turner to the Milwaukee Bucks, has turned the 2025-26 season into what many are calling a "gap year" from hell.
A Franchise Record for the Wrong Reasons
Entering Tuesday’s home game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Pacers were desperate to end a 12-game slide. Despite a spirited 20-point performance from Jay Huff and a career-best 11 rebounds from rookie Johnny Furphy, the Pacers fell 116–120.
The loss officially set a new franchise low with 13 consecutive defeats. It also forced Coach Rick Carlisle to wait another week in his quest for a milestone 1,000th career coaching victory. While the team finally broke the curse with a win over the Hornets on January 7, the underlying issue remains: The Pacers have no answer at the center position.
The Search for a New "Five"
With Turner gone and the defense currently ranked in the bottom five of the league, the Pacers' front office has been aggressive in scouting a long-term upgrade. According to HoopsHype, Indiana has cast a wide net, evaluating nearly every available big man in the league.
The Top Targets on Indiana’s Radar:
| Player | Current Team | Why They Fit |
| Walker Kessler | Utah Jazz | The ultimate rim protector; Utah reportedly wants to keep him as a Restricted Free Agent. |
| Ivica Zubac | LA Clippers | A double-double machine having a career year; likely to cost at least two first-round picks. |
| Nic Claxton | Brooklyn Nets | An elite perimeter-switching big who would bring much-needed speed to the defense. |
| Daniel Gafford | Dallas Mavericks | A high-motor lob threat who would pair perfectly with Haliburton upon his return. |
| Yves Missi | New Orleans Pelicans | A high-upside 21-year-old for a team looking toward a multi-year rebuild. |
Auditioning the "In-House" Trio
While the trade rumors swirl, the Pacers are using the remainder of this season to evaluate their current rotation. It's a three-man battle for a roster spot in 2026:
Jay Huff: A 7-foot-1 titan who has shown flashes of being a "Stretch 5." While his 3-point shooting has dipped to 29% in Indiana, his size makes him the team’s best deterrent at the rim.
Isaiah Jackson: The high-flying athlete the Pacers have long invested in. Unfortunately, injuries—including a recent concussion—have prevented him from seizing the starting role permanently.
Micah Potter: The newest addition to the mix. Signed late in December, Potter has been a revelation from deep, shooting 40% from three-point range, offering a dimension of floor spacing the others lack.
Related Article: NBA Trade Rumors: New York wants Miami Heat shooter?The Big Picture: The Pacers aren't just looking for a body; they are looking for a partner for Haliburton's return next season. Whether that player is currently on the roster or requires a blockbuster trade, Indiana knows they cannot enter Season 51 with the same defensive holes that defined their historic slump.
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