The Indiana Pacers are in a bit of a tough spot right now as they kind of have two priorities for the rest of the season: acquire a new starting center and embrace the tank. But the problem for Indiana is that these two priorities might offset each other.
Trading for a new center to be their Myles Turner replacement this season makes sense. The Pacers have a very intriguing trade chip in Bennedict Mathurin, who might not be with the team next season, and they could use that to their advantage to win any type of bidding war this season.
But on the flip side, Indiana currently owns the second-worst record in the NBA at 9-31, and even that might be too high a spot for the team to be in ahead of a loaded 2026 draft. Trading for a new center this season (i.e., Daniel Gafford, Ivica Zubac, etc.) would almost certainly make the Pacers a better team for the rest of the season and potentially "ruin the tank."
It's a tough call, so what should the Pacers do?
The Pacers have a tough decision ahead of them
There are pros and cons to both acquiring a new starting center this season and just letting it ride the rest of the way and re-evaluating in the summer.
But which one makes more sense for Indiana to pursue?
As it stands, the team is probably better off just holding out for the rest of the season and exploring the trade market in the offseason instead.
Acquiring a new starting center this season would almost inevitably end Mathurin's tenure in Indiana. And while this may not be a horrible idea on the surface (the Pacers might as well get some value for him if they decide he'll be too expensive to bring back in RFA this summer), it's still very risky.
The Canadian native is an incredibly talented player who deserves a chance to carve out a legitimate long-term role with the Pacers. There are valid concerns about his fit and role with the team, but there is no denying that he has a unique skillset and would raise Indiana's ceiling for the long run. Even if it's at the expense of not getting a new center this season, the Pacers should keep Mathurin around (unless the price is right).
Additionally, chances are that almost every center they may be eying right now will also be available in the summer. Plus, there should be even more center options for the Pacers in the summer as every team around the league resets and retools its roster.
This draft is also supposed to be loaded. Players like AJ Dybantsa, Darryn Peterson, Cam Boozer, and Caleb Wilson all have franchise-player potential and would all be game-changers in Indiana. But with each win the Pacers add to their record, the chances of landing one of them decrease. And given that a postseason appearance is unlikely for them anyway, this isn't a great idea.
If the Pacers trade for a center upgrade ahead of February's deadline, it wouldn't be the end of the world. But is it the ideal move? As it stands, probably not.