Help wanted: 10 options for Pacers for center depth as NBA free agency opens

INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Pacers enter the new league calendar and free agency with their center position fairly up in the air, but with a number of options both in-house and external to address it.

Re-signing starter Myles Turner is the team's No. 1 offseason priority according to coach Rick Carlisle and the situation gets more tricky if the Pacers can't pull that off or if they decide the price is too high. The Pacers are well over the salary cap even without him in the fold, so their only chance to replace him would be through a sign-and-trade and making that make sense for all parties might require a multi-team deal. But it does appear both sides want to get a deal done and the the biggest question facing the Pacers will be what to do with the spots on the depth chart behind him.

Though forwards Obi Toppin and Pascal Siakam have proven capable of holding down the 5 spot in smaller lineups for several minutes at a time, the Pacers made it a priority throughout the season to try to make sure they had three true centers on the roster after losing backups Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman in the first eight days of the season to Achilles tendon tears. Presumably, they'll want two centers behind Turner again. They'll have four players to pick from who played on this year's team, but they could also decide to go outside this year's roster to sign a free agent on a veteran minimum or non-guaranteed deal.

There's not much of an ability to take big swings as their budget will probably be under $4 million per year per player. Plus, if the Pacers do sign Turner, they will no longer have access to the non-taxpayer mid-level exception that would allow them to sign a player for up to approximately $14.1 million and there are several veteran free agents on the market who will likely fit into that category.

The Pacers did pick up Tony Bradley's $2.94 million club option for this season on Sunday, which could mean he will take one of the two backup jobs. However, they could choose to waive him later with no penalty and they could also use him as a trade chip.

Still, here are some of their potential options.

Isaiah Jackson

Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (22) smiles at his teammates Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, during a basketball game between the Indiana Pacers and the Boston Celtics at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers defeated the Celtics in overtime, 135-132.

Isaiah Jackson entered the season with the clear edge to be the backup center after spending most of the two previous seasons in a constant battle with Jalen Smith for playing time. Smith had declined his player option and signed with the Bulls and even though the Pacers signed Wiseman as a free agent, Jackson still had the edge for being in his fourth year in the franchise and having good sense of how it operated. After a strong performance in the 2023-24 playoffs when he effectively wrestled away backup duties from Smith, he entered 2024-25 with momentum.

And that changed when he tore his Achilles on Nov. 1 and never returned. In five games before the injury, he averaged 7.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.6 blocks per game — which would be career highs if stretched out for a season — and shot 60.9% from the floor.

The Pacers kept Jackson on the roster for the rest of the season and he enters the summer as a restricted free agent after reportedly receiving a $6.4 million qualifying offer.

Before the injury in 2023-24, Jackson averaged 17.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes off the bench, which were among the best per-36 figures on the team. He also made 66.5% of his field goals. Listed at 6-9, 205 pounds he didn't have a lot of muscle to him but did have a lot of bounce and was one of the Pacers' most effective lob threats and shot blockers as well as a high-energy floor runner and rebounder.

The injury might change him, however — possibly for both better and worse. Maintaining the same leaping ability after such a dramatic injury to the legs will be hard to do, but he also put on a noticeable amount of weight during rehab. It's not fully evident how much of that is muscle and how much isn't, but if he can turn it into muscle, it could make it harder to push him around but also harder for him to reach the heights he usually does. He's an intriguing possibility either way, but the Pacers can probably sign just one of the injured players and will need to pair him with a safer bet.

Thomas Bryant

Indiana Pacers center Thomas Bryant (3) reacts after sinking a three point basket Thursday, June 5, 2025, during Game 1 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City.

Thomas Bryant was one of the centers the Pacers were most immediately intrigued by when Jackson and Wiseman were injured, but they had to wait until Dec. 15 to execute a trade because Bryant had signed a free agent deal with Miami in the offseason. The Heat were barely playing him, so they were happy to give him to the Pacers for nothing but a second-round draft pick swap.

Bryant was thrilled for the opportunity to get back on the floor again and do so so close to Indiana University where he played his college ball. His gratitude showed in his play as Bryant did everything hard, even he wasn't exactly where he was supposed to be. Bryant averaged 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game — 16.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per 36 minutes — off the bench and knocked down a career high 42 3-pointers at a 32.1% clip. He saw a significant minutes cut in the playoffs but hit some huge shots in timely moments, knocking down 9-of-18 3s (50%). He was also an easy locker room fit in a group of selfless players and was always one of the most animated players on the sideline, fully invested in his teammates' success.

Bryant, who turns 28 at the end of July, is an unrestricted free agent as the deal he signed with the Heat was for just one year and just under $2.1 million. It probably won't take much to keep him in the fold and if they were to keep him and Jackson they'd at least know what they were getting while Jackson works his way back to 100% health.

Tony Bradley

Indiana Pacers center Tony Bradley (13) looks for a pass option Thursday, June 19, 2025, during Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.

The only player on the Pacers more thrilled to be getting a chance than Bryant was Tony Bradley. While Bryant was stuck on the bench at Miami, he was at least wearing an NBA jersey and collecting an NBA paycheck. Bradley — a national champion at North Carolina and a first-round pick in 2017 — had been waived by the Bulls in February of 2023 and hadn't been back in the NBA since. He signed Exhibit 10 contracts in 2023 with the Mavericks and 2024 with the Hawks, but that just meant G League work with the Texas Legends and the College Park Skyhawks.

The Pacers signed Bradley to a 10-day contract on March 2 and then another on March 14 after they'd traded away Wiseman, their attempt to sign Alex Len didn't work out and a 10-day with Jahlil Okafor wasn't effective either. Bradley appeared in just 14 regular season games down the stretch and averaged 8.1 minutes per game. However, he came through when called upon, posting 12 points and nine rebounds when the severely short-handed Pacers beat the Timberwolves in Minnesota on March 17. He then posted a 14-point, 14-rebound double-double in the stunning comeback win in Game 82 over the Cavs when the Pacers finished the game with their third unit. He averaged 19.4 points and 13.4 rebounds per 36 minutes and shot 64.4% from the floor, albeit in a small sample size.

In the playoffs, Bradley barely saw the floor in the first two series, but Carlisle trusted his 6-10, 248-pound frame to be able to block out New York's Mitchell Robinson and Oklahoma City's Isaiah Hartenstein, so he got significant minutes in both the Eastern Conference Finals and NBA Finals and made an impact on the glass in both.

The Pacers picked up the team option Bradley's contact for a second year for $2.94 million. They could still choose to waive him at some point with no penalty or they could use him as a trade chip, but if they simply want to keep him on as a big-bodied third center, they don't have to do anything more than they have.

James Wiseman

Memphis Grizzlies center Jay Huff (30) guards Indiana Pacers center James Wiseman (13) during the second half of preseason game Monday, Oct. 14, 2024, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Grizzlies defeated the Pacers 120-116.

The Pacers signed Wiseman — the former top-of-the-line recruit and No. 2 pick in the 2020 draft class out of Memphis — as something of a flyer after injury riddled seasons in Golden State and Detroit had kept him from ever realizing his considerable potential there.

The Pacers saw signs in the preseason their gamble might just pay off. The 7-foot, 240-pounder was still feeling out the Pacers' systems on offense and defense, but his size and athleticism were still making him dominant in preseason play. In 12.8 minutes per game, he averaged 8.5 points and 5.8 rebounds and he made 17 of-his-24 field goal attempts (70.8%).

However, the Pacers would never find out what kind of season he was in for because five minutes into he opening game against Detroit he tore his Achilles tendon and never returned.

The Pacers traded Wiseman to the Raptors at the trade deadline and he was swiftly waived so that gave him the opportunity to finish his rehab with the Pacers, however, so the team and the player have stayed in touch. Carlisle noted in a radio interview last seek Wiseman's agent told him the rehab was going well and he recently executed a 360 dunk.

The Achilles tendon tear wasn't Wiseman's first major injury as he also missed 18 months with a meniscus tear suffered when he was with the Warriors. The combination of the injuries is obviously a risk, but his size and athleticism might still be worth a flyer if the Pacers can use him as a third option. However, it probably wouldn't be wise for the Pacers to sign Jackson and Wiseman even if they are both progressing well as there's a good chance they might take a while to return to full capacity.

Mason Plumlee (signed with Hornets)

Dec 7, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; Phoenix Suns center Mason Plumlee (22) passes the ball against Miami Heat forward Haywood Highsmith (24) and guard Tyler Herro (left) during the first half at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

The 35-year-old Warsaw, Ind., native clearly has more yesterdays than tomorrows in the NBA, but the 6-10, 254-pounder can still rebound, block shots and score at the rim and that continues to keep getting him roster spots. He played for the Suns this season — his seventh team — and started 21 of the 74 games he appeared in, averaging 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, shooting 61.9% from the floor. He averaged 12.6 rebounds per 36 minutes and has averaged double-digit rebounds per 36 every year since his rookie season.

The Suns will most likely be looking to part with centers after acquiring Mark Williams from the Hornets in a draft day trade and then trading up to take both Khaman Maluach from Duke and Rasheer Fleming from St. Joseph's. They'll likely be looking to move Nick Richards and let Mason Plumlee walk as they rebuild following the Kevin Durant trade to Houston. Plumlee made just $2.087 million last season and should be available for a similar number.

Jaxson Hayes

Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam (43) watches as Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) scores during the first half of a game Wednesday, March 26, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Lakers defeated the Pacers 120-119.

This is a bit of a reach but still worth mentioning. The Lakers started Hayes in four of their five playoff games in a first-round loss to Minnesota, but he didn't play more than 10 minutes in any of those games and finished with a combined seven points on 3-of-8 shooting and eight rebounds in the entire series. They desperately want a center and believe they need to get one better than Hayes.

That being said, better centers than Hayes aren't easy to come by especially for a team like the Lakers that is in the luxury tax. The Lakers are certainly looking for centers to trade for, but it isn't clear they'll be able to find any and they might have to keep Hayes in the fold.

That being said, if the Lakers fill the center position and can let Hayes walk, he might be able to fit in Indiana. There's certainly a chance he'd get a better offer elsewhere because the Pacers can't offer him more than the veteran minimum, but from a basketball standpoint he fits as a long-armed rim-runner. He shot 72.2% from the floor this season including 83.8% of his shots within 3 feet. The 7-foot, 220-pounder has legit size and athleticism and for all of his other issues, that could be enough for him to catch on a second or third unit. He made just $2.46 million last season and though he might be able to fetch more on the open market, there's a chance he couldn't.

Paul Reed (re-signed with Pistons)

Detroit Pistons center Paul Reed grabs a rebound against the New York Knicks during the second half of Game 3 of an Eastern Conference playoff first-round series at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, April 24, 2025.

Reed, the former DePaul star, was stuck behind Jalen Duren and Isaiah Stewart in Detroit and averaged just 9.7 minutes per game in 45 appearances. However, the 6-9, 210-pounder has a skill set that fits the Pacers relatively well. He can run the floor, finish at the rim (he shot 76.5% within 3 feet of the rim) and switch and cause havoc on defense. He averaged 15.1 points, 10.1 rebounds and a remarkable 3.2 steals per 36 minutes this season.

Reed made just $1.4 million last season, so the Pacers could double his salary and still fit him in. However, he might be able to get more elsewhere on a mid-level exception and end up above the Pacers' price range.

Tristan Thompson

Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton (0) laughs as he walks to the free-throw line with Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristan Thompson (13) during the second half of a game Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Pacers defeated the Cavaliers 114-112.

Thompson is one of a few veteran big options hitting free agency whose recent contributions have been more spiritual support than on the floor but have still proven they can step in and play from time to time. Denver's De'Andre Jordan also fits in this category but seems even less likely to move than Thompson is and Thompson isn't particularly likely to move.

Still, at 34 Thompson still has some tread left on the tires and if he can do nothing else he can still rebound. He shot just 43.7% from the floor and was worst at the free throw line for the Cavs this season but he averaged 14.7 rebounds per 36 minutes. He also remains a great locker room presence and he has a connection with Tyrese Haliburton going back to Sacramento, which matters even with Haliburton likely out for the year.

Taj Gibson

Nov 8, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets forward Taj Gibson (67) grabs a rebound over Indiana Pacers center Myles Turner (33) during the third quarter at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

Gibson is 40, so obviously picking him up at this stage isn't a long-term solution for anything. He hasn't appeared in more than 52 games in a season since 2019-20.

That being said, the 16-year-veteran 6-9, 232-pounder is still a physical force on the glass. The Hornets started him in 11 games this season as they dealt with an array of injuries and he averaged 10.6 rebounds per 36 minutes, the highest of his career. It makes sense for Charlotte to keep him as an end-of-the-bench veteran for their rebuild, he could be worth a one-year flyer for anyone who needs a big bodied rebounder.

Jericho Sims

Indiana Pacers guard Bennedict Mathurin (00) dribbles the ball while Milwaukee Bucks center Jericho Sims (00) defends in the first half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

The 26-year-old Sims has dependability issues on both ends of the floor and had a hard time holding on to a rotation spot for both the Knicks and Bucks this season. He averaged just 5.4 minutes per game in just five appearances the 2023-24 playoffs with the Knicks and 11.6 minutes per game for the Bucks this season.

He is, however, an explosive athlete with size at 6-10, 245 pounds which makes him an effective rim runner and rebounder and the Pacers' system and style of play might help him blossom. He's a career 71.4% shooter with 76% of his attempts coming from within 3 feet of the basket this season. He also averaged 11.2 rebounds per 36 minutes this season.