Indiana Pacers: What’s next for backup center Goga Bitadze?

The Indiana Pacers used a first-round pick on a third center in 2019 when they selected Goga Bitadze to develop behind Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis. After two seasons in the NBA, Bitadze’s future appears to have a lot of question marks.

Indiana selected yet another big man in the first round this summer, adding Kentucky’s Isaiah Jackson to the mix. Jackson, who brings a lot more versatility than Goga, may be the backup of the future. What does that mean for Bitadze?

What does Goga Bitadze’s future with the Indiana Pacers look like?

This is a complicated situation for Goga after a weird two-season stretch to open his career. Both seasons were heavily impacted by the pandemic as he tried adjusting to a new life here in the United States. At times, Goga has been a very capable understudy for Myles Turner as the bench unit’s rim protector and floor spacer but those flashes have been too spread out.

Every now and again we see glimpses of Bitadze attacking the rim and finishing with an exciting slam or sending an opponent’s shot into the abyss. He is also not afraid to hoist shots from beyond the arc when defenses give him space but like Turner, he has yet to find a consistent jumper.

Goga still has a very bright future as a backup center in that sort of stretch-big role on offense while being an enforcer on the other end. However, Indiana’s selection of Isaiah Jackson – and the minutes that are already being eaten up by Turbonis – leave Goga’s role in serious doubt.

It is 2021 and the Indiana Pacers are coming off a very disappointing season that saw them miss the playoffs. A big part of their struggles in recent years has been their desire to play with two bigs which has just not worked out. Now, with four capable young bigs on the roster, it is time to sort out who belongs and who needs to find a job elsewhere.

This summer was supposed to be a good opportunity for Goga to see how he developed between years 2 and 3 in the Summer League – and potentially see his fit with Jackson in the second unit – but Goga did not play make the trip to Vegas.

There will be teams across the NBA who need a backup center or a young big that they believe they can develop into a serviceable role player. At just 22 years old, Goga still has a lot to learn while he adjusts to the NBA. If I’m the Pacers, I would be making phone calls to see if anyone else is interested in Bitadze to give him a clean slate.

I do still think Bitadze can be successful in the NBA and this is not a shot at him after just two weird seasons. Indiana just has too many bigs to justify keeping everyone around for another full season. There is no realistic way each guy can receive enough playing time to actually develop.

Whatever happens with Goga, I hope he figures it all out and puts his talent to good use. He can be a very good backup center with some starter upside once he pieces it all together. The Pacers just need to do what is best for all parties and search for a trade partner.