Pacers Reportedly Eye Deal for 'Center of the Future,' Top Potential Trade Targets

The 2025-26 season has turned into a reset one for the Indiana Pacers given injuries to Tyrese Haliburton and other key contributors, but the front office is reportedly eyeing the future ahead of the Feb. 5 trade deadline.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Tuesday that Indiana has engaged "in active trade talks around the league to find a center of the future after losing Myles Turner in free agency."

With the focus on a "center of the future," Indiana likely won't go after potential targets such as the 35-year-old Nikola Vučević or even the 31-year-old Jusuf Nurkić.

However, it may look toward the Utah Jazz for a move. It might not be willing to give up what it would take to land Lauri Markkanen even if it would drastically raise the ceiling, but 24-year-old Walker Kessler may be an option.

KSL's Ben Anderson even reported the Pacers "have inquired about Walker Kessler for a long time" (h/t James Hansen of SB Nation).

The long-term outlook is notable and means Indiana might not be as concerned about Kessler's season-ending injury.

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After all, Haliburton is sidelined for the season with the Achilles injury he suffered in the 2025 NBA Finals. What's more, players such as Bennedict Mathurin, Andrew Nembhard, T.J. McConnell, Aaron Nesmith, Obi Toppin and Ben Sheppard have all missed time with their own setbacks.

As a result, the Pacers are an ugly 6-18 and are trending toward missing the playoffs entirely in the year after they went on an incredible run to reach the NBA Finals.

Yet many of the core players are still young with 25-year-old Haliburton as the franchise cornerstone. It wouldn't be surprising at all if the Pacers landed a top draft pick after struggling this season, selected an impact player, got healthier and were right back to being Eastern Conference contenders next season.

That may require upgrading the frontcourt, though, especially since Turner is now on the Milwaukee Bucks after leaving in free agency.

Big men such as Isaiah Jackson, Tony Bradley and Jay Huff can all be solid at times, but Indiana likely needs a center with a higher ceiling if it is going to challenge for another NBA Finals appearance as soon as next season and beyond.

Given their unique circumstances and need for a long-term upgrade, the Pacers may be more aggressive as buyers at the trade deadline than a normal team that is outside of the playoff picture with a poor record.