After Myles Turner joined the Milwaukee Bucks in free agency, there were a lot of questions about what the Indiana Pacers were going to do to replace him. Were they going to promote from within, make a trade, or sign a new big man to potentially become the team's next center of the future?
Ultimately, the Pacers did all three. Sort of.
Indiana re-signed Isaiah Jackson to a three-year, $21 million deal and made it clear very early on that he was going to be the starting center for the season. The Pacers also picked up Tony Bradley's team option, brought James Wiseman back to the roster, and traded for Jay Huff.
There was a lot to like about Indiana's center room. Everybody brought their own value one way or another, and they were all being given a big opportunity. That type of hunger and chance to prove something meant that there was some potential magic to be made in Indiana as the team aimed to find a legitimate Turner replacement.
One problem remained, though: none of these players were on Turner's level. And nearly a month into the regular season, the Pacers are learning that firsthand.
The Pacers' centers are not inspiring confidence
It says a lot about the Pacers' center situation when Bradley is arguably their second-best big man on the roster. No disrespect to the Florida native, but the fact that he is essentially an important player for the Pacers right now is not promising.
This season, Bradley is averaging 5.6 PPG and 3.4 RPG while shooting 58.9% from the field in 14.6 MPG. The UNC alum was never expected to be a savior in Indiana, but his play has mostly still been disappointing regardless. He has taken no steps forward in a bigger role for the Pacers, and he looks completely replaceable.
Plus, his defense has seemingly taken a step back this season. He is not protecting the rim at a high level, recording three total blocks on the season, and he can still get bullied by bigger centers.
As for Huff, he has been the biggest disappointment of every center in Indiana (well, outside of Wiseman, technically, who got waived before November). The Virginia alum was essentially meant to be like a Turner-lite for the Pacers because of their similar skillsets. He can protect the rim and stretch the floor, which he did at a high level for the Memphis Grizzlies last season (he shot 40.5% from deep on 3.1 three-point field goal attempts per game).
However, things have not gone well for Huff so far. In 14 games with the team, he is averaging 5.4 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks while shooting just 26.5% from beyond the arc.
Huff does not look like a good fit with the Pacers. His shot isn't falling, and he does not look good defensively either. He is leading the team in BPG, but he is not the versatile, mobile, switchable big man he was advertised as. The North Carolina native moves slowly defensively, whether it be because of him just getting beat off the dribble, or he is just a step late in his decisions and switches.
Lastly, Jackson has at least shown promise as Indiana's primary center this season. He is averaging 8.6 PPG, 6.4 RPG, and 1.1 APG while shooting 58% from the field. Plus, most of his athleticism and energy are back even after suffering an Achilles injury last year.
So what's the problem?
It's pretty simple, Jackson looks fine. That's it. He is still very inconsistent as a defender, rebounder, and just overall contributor. There are some games where he looks like he can be Indiana's center of the future, and then there are other games where fans are quickly reminded why he has been a backup throughout his career so far.
Plus, he hasn't made many notable improvements. He still can't shoot, and he is still fouling at an alarming rate (he has recorded four or more fouls in six games already).
Jackson is still a solid player and deserves to be with the Pacers for the long run. But is he the team's long-term starting center? At this rate, probably not.
There is a lot of basketball left, but as it stands, it's looking like Indiana will have to make some big decisions in the offseason. And looking for another center may be at the top of that list.