What's Next for the Pacers in 2026 After Their Center’s Exit in Free Agency?
The Indiana Pacers are left with a hole in their roster after their center, Myles Turner, signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on a four-year, $107 million deal. Turner was the longest-tenured member of the Indiana Pacers during their trip to the NBA Finals in 2025. With Tyrese Haliburton expected to miss the majority of the 2026 NBA season, losing Turner is a devastating blow to their roster. With the NBA Draft completed and six days into free agency, Indiana doesn’t have many options left to improve its roster.
Can Indiana Build a Winning Roster for 2026?
After the departure of Turner and the Haliburton injury, Indiana’s hopes for a similar season in 2026 are fading, and fast. Their next focus has been on finding a replacement center for the near future. After losing out on Deandre Ayton to the Los Angeles Lakers, they traded two second-round picks to the Memphis Grizzlies for Jay Huff, a seven-foot-one stretch-five who averaged 6.9 points in the 64 games he played last season. Indiana has also shown interest in Pelicans center Yves Missi, although he carries a high asking price after his All-Rookie Second Team honors last season.
Should The Pacers Look Internally?
The Pacers received notable contributions in the postseason from Obi Toppin and Thomas Bryant. If Indiana isn’t able to address their needs externally, they’ll need to develop their young, budding big man for future postseason runs to come. Jarace Walker is another player on Rick Carlisle’s radar, after playing a career-high 75 games in just his second season. The former University of Houston forward stands at six-foot-seven and could be a key piece in Indiana's new small-ball unit.
No Haliburton, No Turner, No Problem?
Hoping to weather two significant blows to last year's roster, Indiana’s hopes rely on all-star Pascal Siakam’s play. Fortunately, a collective uncertainty has left the Eastern Conference wide open, with no clear favorite. Indiana’s veteran experience could give them a fighting chance come postseason time. In the post-Myles Turner era for the Pacers, will 2026 be an opportunity in a weak East, or a lackluster lottery year?
